NEW YORK (October 29, 2015) – The iconic Grand Hyatt New York is pleased to announce the appointment of hotel veteran and New York native John Schafer as Area Vice President and General Manager. In his new role, Schafer will manage all aspects of the hotel and its day-to-day operations. Ideally located in Midtown Manhattan attached to Grand Central Terminal and steps away from some of the city’s best culture and attractions, Grand Hyatt New York features a stunning lobby with two three-dimensional “Awilda” and “Chloe” sculptures from famed artist Jaume Plensa, 1,306 spacious guestrooms and suites ranging from 600 to more than 3,500 square feet, a Grand Club, over 60,000 square feet of meeting space and the hotel’s modern seasonally inspired restaurant, New York Central, which features an open kitchen and wall-to-wall windows overlooking New York City.
“Having been born and raised in New York, I am very excited to return to my hometown and continue my extensive career with Hyatt and the Grand Hyatt brand’s flagship property,” said Schafer. “With fond memories of spending my childhood in New York City, I’m ready to dive in right in as we gear up for a successful 2016.”
A hospitality and Hyatt veteran, Schafer began his career with Hyatt Hotels Corporation more than 30 years ago and has served in ten different cities in large convention hotels. Prior to joining Grand Hyatt New York, Schafer most recently served as the Vice President Managing Director of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, supervising the 1,625-room hotel on San Diego Bay. Before San Diego, Schafer spent 19 years in Colorado, holding positions as opening General Manager of the 1,100-room Hyatt Regency Denver and the 500-room Grand Hyatt Denver and subsequently spent two years at Hyatt Regency Chicago as the Vice President Managing Director. Throughout his extensive Hyatt career, Schafer has been on the opening team of seven different Hyatt properties; host to presidents, political dignitaries, heads of states and international delegations; and in 1997 and again in 2007, was awarded the distinctive honor of General Manager of the Year for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.
Schafer graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Administration. He has a strong commitment to charitable and civic organizations and has served on numerous tourism, hospitality and charity boards. Schafer now lives in New York with his wife, Sue, four children and springer-spaniel, Cosmo.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Schafer’s caliber and experience join our team and take the reins at Grand Hyatt New York,” said Dave Phillips, Corporate SVP Field Operations of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “With his extensive career as a member of the Hyatt family, in depth knowledge of the Grand Hyatt brand and remarkable leadership experience, we are confident that Schafer will take the hotel to new heights and continue to strengthen its reputation as a truly iconic hotel.”
