September 2022 (Atlanta) The Candler Hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, announced new appointments for three of its management positions; Tim Dahlen as General Manager, Julio Castillo-Aviles as Head Chef of By George, the hotel’s flagship restaurant and Michelle Bradley as Director of Sales and Marketing (DOSM). The Candler Hotel, operated by Highgate Properties, opened in 2019 and houses 265 rooms and 34 suites in downtown Atlanta. The building itself was commissioned by former Atlanta mayor and founder of the Coca-Cola Company, Asa Griggs Candler, in 1906, and it stood as Atlanta’s tallest skyscraper until the mid-twentieth century.
All three additions to the hotel come with decades of hospitality experience between them.
Being a long time leader in lifestyle brands and hospitality, Tim Dahlen joins the team at The Candler Hotel with a proven record as an industry pro. Starting out in Atlanta as the General Manager of the Sheraton Buckhead in 1999, Tim later went on to manage the Hilton Beverly Hills before returning to Atlanta as the General Manager for Westin Atlanta North and later Westin Atlanta Buckhead, the W Atlanta Downtown, the Moxy Atlanta Midtown and Element by Westin Atlanta Midtown. Dahlen looks forward to providing the best in guest experience at The Candler Hotel.
Although only recently appointed Head Chef of By George, Chef Julio Castillo-Aviles comes with more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Chef Castillo-Aviles gained executive and sous chef experience in some of Atlanta’s top dining destinations like Loca Luna and Barcelona Wine Bar. Since making the transition from stand-alone restaurants to hospitality, Castillo-Aviles has acted in executive culinary roles at Emory Conference Center Hotel and The Whitley Hotel. With a passion for outstanding service and a soft spot for spreading joy with food, Chef Castillo-Aviles looks forward to serving up unforgettable experiences at By George.
Michelle Bradley has been with Highgate Properties for over seven years and has acted as a senior sales manager and director with Highgate, DoubleTree by Hilton, Wyndham Hotels and Marriott. Before joining the team at The Candler Hotel, Bradley was the Senior Sales Account Manager at the Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York City, specializing in building partnerships between the hotel and nonprofit and governmental organizations. At The Candler, Bradley is eager to build the property’s reputation as a prime location for business events, filming, weddings and more by highlighting the building’s place as a piece of Atlanta history.
“The Candler Hotel is truly one of a kind, and I’m so happy to be here to share its story with our guests,” says Bradley. “Once people come through the doors, they can’t help but be awed by the depth of the building’s story and its historical presence in the heart of downtown.”
