MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (October 25, 2017) – Manhattan Beach’s most anticipated luxury property, westdrift Manhattan Beach, is excited to announce the appointment of Stephanie Bauer as opening general manager. Bauer brings more than three decades of hospitality experience to westdrift, set to open in January 2018. Debuting as Los Angeles’ inaugural Autograph Collection hotel, Bauer will oversee every nuance of this South Bay social destination to ensure its star power shines throughout. The 26-acre multi-faceted property reflects the refined beach lifestyle of its setting, featuring 392 breezy modern rooms, a nine-hole golf course, a high-designed restaurant, and more than 35,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space. Collectively, these dynamic venues usher in a new wave of meetings and events with Bauer leading the front and back end. “Truly, it’s a California dream come to life,” said Bauer, who relocated from San Francisco.” Manhattan Beach has a certain magnetism, having lured East Coast visionaries to create a new destiny here. It’s precisely what we are doing current day with westdrift, reimagining a high-caliber lifestyle haven.” Committed to her new role, Bauer also serves on the board of Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce. The hospitality mastermind wields extensive hotel management experience essential to the westdrift Manhattan Beach opening team, fostering a work environment that marries marquee service with approachability. Previously, Bauer has also served as General Manager of several California hotels, including the Sofitel in Redwood City, The Lodge at Tiburon where she oversaw the completion of a $6.5-million renovation and Marriott San Mateo Hotel in San Francisco, managing $11-million room renovation project for the company’s flagship property. Bauer has also been recognized as “General Manager of the Year” by Westmont Hospitality Group. In her previous role as Westmont’s Regional Operations Manager, Bauer singlehandedly led 10 hotels with 120 managers and 850 team members, consistently hiring to elevate the next generation of a service-centric culture.
