(SAN FRANCISCO; August 29, 2018) – Kokua Hospitality, LLC, an independent hotel management company based in San Francisco, announces the appointment of Candice Cancino as general manager (GM) at Carmel Mission Inn (3665 Rio Road, Carmel, CA). Since joining y’s West Coast portfolio in early 2017, the members of this team at the coastal boutique property have dedicated themselves to the vision of the hotel and continue to add expert team members aligned with that vision.
Located just off the West Coast’s iconic Highway 1, in the heart of Carmel, California, the hotel features 165 guestrooms, over 4,500 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant and bar, and a fitness center – as well as an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, and private gardens. Later this year, the team will continue to build on the potential of the property with room renovations designed to highlight the California retreat’s best features and amenities, and continue to provide exceptional experiences for guests in every aspect of their stay – staying true to the West Coast’s spirit of innovation and hospitality.
As part of an Air Force family, Cancino was born in the Philippines, calls Elk Grove, California home, and spent much of her childhood living and traveling in Asia. This lifetime of flexibility prepared her for the ins and outs, ups and downs of the hospitality industry. Cancino comes to Carmel Mission Inn with over 20 years of experience ranging from boutique hotels to major luxury hotel brands.
While living in Switzerland, a friend introduced Cancino to the Lausanne Hotel School, and she was immediately hooked on the curriculum and everything her friend was learning about the hospitality industry. Once back in the U.S., she followed this new interest in Dearborn, Michigan, where she worked her way up at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in various positions and cities for 13 years. From there, Cancino went on to hold leadership roles at W Hotels, The Normandy Hotel Washington D.C., The Row New York, The High Line Hotel New York, and Hyatt Herald Square New York. Cancino most recently served as General Manager of the King George Hotel, San Francisco.
“Candice’s forward-thinking management style provides the perfect balance of independence, flexibility, and accountability for a quickly developing hotel team,” said Kirk Pederson, president of Kokua Hospitality. “Her desire to create lasting, positive, authentic experiences and memories for guests makes her perfect for our growing West Coast team.”
While not working, Cancino spends her free time exploring Highway 1 and visiting wineries with her pitbull mix, Coco.
