REDONDO BEACH, Calif. (January 21, 2010) � Christopher T. Bracken has been named the new director of sales and marketing at The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, a waterfront property in Redondo Beach owned and operated by Noble House Hotels & Resorts. 
 
According to Malia Osterbauer, general manager of The Portofino Hotel, in his new position, Bracken will oversee all sales and marketing activities and programs for the 161-room hotel; which also encompasses BALEENlosangeles, a standalone restaurant; a 181-slip marina and 19 residential apartments. A Redondo Beach fixture for nearly 50 years, the hotel � located on its own private peninsula � recently underwent an $11 million renovation of its guestrooms, public and meeting spaces, restaurant and marina. 

�We are pleased to have Chris onboard,� said Osterbauer. �His talents and considerable experience will be invaluable as we continue to position The Portofino Hotel as a leading Southern California destination property.�
 
With extensive hospitality industry experience, Bracken was most recently vice president of sales and marketing for �Visit Jacksonville,� an organization contracted to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Northeast Florida. Prior to that, he was director of marketing for Don CeSar Beach Hotel, a 277-room historic property in St. Pete Beach, Florida operated by Loews Hotels. For 13 years, he was with Interstate Hotels and Resorts, working as director of marketing for Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra, Florida. In addition, he was with Marriott Corp. for 12 years and held positions that included director of marketing at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami and at Marriott�s Hilton Head Resort. 
 
A native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin. In addition, he has received numerous accolades for his sales and marketing efforts during his tenure with Marriott and Interstate, including �Sales Team of the Year� and �President�s Award for Excellence� from Interstate and Marriott�s �Sales Leadership Award.� 
 
ABOUT THE PORTOFINO HOTEL & YACHT CLUB
A haven for business and leisure travelers alike, The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club is located only seven miles from Los Angeles International Airport, in the beach town of Redondo Beach at King Harbor.  A fixture in Redondo Beach for nearly 50 years, the property � Los Angeles� only waterfront hotel � recently underwent an extensive $11 million renovations of its guestrooms, public and meeting spaces, restaurant (BALEENlosangeles) and 181-slip marina. For more information, call 800-468-4292, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.hotelportofino.com.