Washington, D.C. (January 20, 2023) – Rakel and Jacques Cohen, owners of The Watergate Hotel, are pleased to announce the appointment of Cristiano Buono, to the position of Managing Director. Buono brings extensive professional experience from across the globe, having resided in countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Spain and brings decades of cultural knowledge to the hotel.
Buono has held various leadership positions in both hotels & resorts and hotel management and residential. His most recent experience includes Proper Hospitality, LLC, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach, The New York EDITION, The Waikiki EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands, and The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Golf & Spa Resort in Spain. Buono has worked on openings, re-brands and re-positioning and had the opportunity to collaborate with award winning restaurant operators as well Michelin Starred Chefs. An industry veteran with more than three decades of international experience, Buono brings a deep understanding of working effectively with teams from many cultures, a hands-on-approach and a passion for luxury experiences.
“We are thrilled to welcome Cristiano to The Watergate team,” said Jaques Cohen, co-owner of the property. “His leadership roles and extensive experience in the international luxury market will help to further elevate The Watergate’s five-star service and amenities and continue to compete against the best properties in the world.”
Reopened in June of 2016, this American icon is situated on the banks of the Potomac River, offering a luxurious urban resort experience for the world’s most discerning leisure and business travelers. Originally designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti in 1961 to look like a sail on the Potomac, the hotel made waves with its groundbreaking contemporary style and came to epitomize the fabulous lifestyle and sophistication of its time when it opened in March 1967. The Watergate Hotel now features 336 stylist guestrooms; signature restaurant Kingbird; The Next Whisky Bar; Top of the Gate rooftop bar; Argentta Spa; a state-of-the-art fitness center and 27,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
Buono holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Hotel Management School IPAS in Italy and is fluent in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian.
Cristiano is relocating to Washington DC with his wife Marian and his two children, Pietro and Matteo.
For more information please visit: www.thewatergatehotel.com
