May 9, 2017 (Washington, D.C.) – Sage Hospitality has announced the appointments of two top-flight executives to lead the team at The Darcy Washington D.C., the stylish new Curio Collection by Hilton hotel located near Dupont Circle and Embassy Row in the heart of the Nation's Capital.
Tobias Arff, General Manager
A veteran of the Washington, D.C. hotel scene, Tobias Arff oversees all operations of The Darcy Washington D.C., including assuring an exceptional guest experience reflective of the property's striking style and the cosmopolitan sophistication of the city around it.
"I couldn't be happier with this great opportunity to be involved with a new project in the Nation's Capital," noted Arff of the first opening of his long career. "Washington is a destination alive with culture, creativity and communities that draw travelers from all over, and The Darcy is sure to stand out."
Arff joined The Darcy from Lorien Hotel & Spa, an upscale address in Alexandria, Virginia operated by Kimpton Hotels. As General Manager, Arff led the Lorien through an ownership change, developing a strong relationship with the new owners and successfully mentoring team members while achieving the highest customer service score of among 13 Kimpton properties within the Mid-Atlantic region.
Previously he spent over two years as General Manger of Morrison House, and prior to that was Assistant General Manager of Monaco Alexandria. Arff initially joined Kimpton as Front Office Manager of Hotel Palomar in Washington, where his talent with the company's loyalty program earned him recognition as a "Kimpton In Touch Champion" for the Mid-Atlantic from 2006-2007. He got his start in the industry leading the Front Office of Park Hotel Bremen, a Five-Star/Five-Diamond luxury address in Bremen, Germany. Arff also held management positions at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown, and the Hay Adams, an independent luxury hotel which is part of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Born and raised in Bremen, Germany, Arff earned a bachelor's degree from Hotel Management College Am Rübekamp in Bremen. Throughout his time in Alexandria, Arff is highly involved with the community, holding positions as Chairman of the Board of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association, as well as Chairmen of the Alexandria Hotel Association.
Kelly McCourt, Director of Sales & Marketing
Tapping 17 years of marketing and public relations experience with leading hotel groups across the country, as Director of Sales & Marketing Kelly McCourt is leading the charge to draw business to The Darcy Washington D.C.
"I am thrilled to be back with Sage Hospitality and opening an exciting new hotel in such a cosmopolitan city," said McCourt, who oversees The Darcy's onsite sales and marketing team. "This property is something special and its location couldn't be better. Washington D.C. has an edge all its own: I'm grateful to be a part of such a warm, welcoming, and livable city."
Most recently, McCourt led sales and marketing for the highly successful launch of The New York EDITION in the landmark Met Life Tower overlooking Madison Square Park. She held myriad responsibilities on top of leading the hotel's 14-member sales & marketing team: from collaborating and strategizing digital marketing and public relations initiatives to formulating plans and promotions to drive retail and Consortia business.
Prior to EDITION, McCourt sharpened her talents as Director of Sales & Marketing at Smyth, a Thompson Hotels property in Manhattan, and at Sage Hospitality in Denver, where she spent six years first as Divisional Director of Sales & Marketing, then as Vice President, Marketing. McCourt lead marketing, public relations, digital marketing and promotions for 64 hotels and the corporate office. McCourt also spent three years as Director of Sales & Marketing for Alden-Houston in Texas, and four years in sales for Morgans Hotel Group, her first employer in the industry, in New York and London. Prior to joining the hotel industry, McCourt worked in advertising and public relations on the agency side.
A Native of San Antonio, Texas, McCourt earned a Bachelor's of Business Administration with a double major in marketing and entrepreneurship from Baylor University in Waco. Later, she was selected into the prestigious Leadership Denver program of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, spending nearly a year delving into critical national issues and participating in leadership development coursework.
Meantime, McCourt has been involved in several social and corporate responsibility efforts over the years: from serving on the board of Opera Colorado to creating annual fundraising events for The Road to Hope, a charity for the children of Haiti, from 2010 to present.
