CHARLESTON, S.C. – February 4, 2021 – Leading hospitality management company Charlestowne Hotels proudly welcomes Paul Stracey to the corporate team as director of operations. In his role, Stracey will oversee key properties within Charlestowne’s growing portfolio of more than 50 hotels.
A well-respected leader in Charleston and the hospitality industry at large, Stracey brings more than 35 years of luxury hospitality experience to his new role. Due to the growth of the company’s current portfolio and new business pipeline, Charlestowne Hotels recruited Stracey to support the existing operations team, where he will work directly with hotel owners, general managers, and on-site teams to enhance and customize strategic operations.
In his previous position as managing director at Belmond Charleston Place – a role which he served in for 25 years – Stracey was responsible for the strategy and operations of the highest revenue-producing property in the Belmond portfolio, while managing over 500 employees. As a new-concept visionary, he also oversaw four unique restaurant spaces, an award-winning spa, 40,000 square feet of event venues, and 30 leased retail stores. Career highlights include the coordination of two soft renovations and a $35 million complete hotel renovation.
During his tenure at Charleston Place, Paul was appointed North American managing director for Orient-Express (now Belmond). For five years, Paul oversaw operations and strategy for six additional properties in Belmond’s luxury portfolio, while maintaining a hands-on leadership role at Charleston Place.
“Due to the highly nuanced and deeply strategic nature of this role, we’ve been selective about the talent brought on to the operations team. Paul Stracey is an expert with a proven track record of developing hotel services and programming methods that generate demand and build consumer desire,” says Kyle Hughey, Charlestowne Hotels executive vice president and COO. “Paul’s efforts in elevating the local community through hospitality and food and beverage are nothing short of inspiring. His experience and connections are second to none and will play a crucial role as our company expands into additional competitive, high-occupancy markets.”
Stracey will work with some of the most highly regarded hotels in Charlestowne’s portfolio. Through his signature, hands-on leadership approach, he will help further enhance each hotel’s operational strategy in addition to optimizing revenue and developing new programming concepts. Stracey’s food and beverage expertise, including his background as a trained chef, is a unique advantage, as he’ll continue to advance the company’s range of innovative hotel dining venues and offerings. He will also play a pivotal role in identifying and elevating leading talent within the company.
“I’m looking forward to flexing my creative muscles and expanding my reach within the diverse portfolio of properties Charlestowne Hotels manages,” says Paul Stracey. “I’ve always admired the company’s team-forward approach to leadership, and the collaborative and creative environment they’ve created, which allows their hotels to reach the highest potential possible.”
