Newport Beach, Calif - August 28, 2012 – Karl Kruger joins the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts family as the newly appointed General Manager of The Fairmont Newport Beach, bringing more than 25 years of hospitality experience to the Southern California property.

Kruger most recently focused his time and talents on specializing in strategic repositioning, asset management and business development through proprietary consultancy firm, KK Hospitability.  His client roster included Port Royal Resort in conjunction with Panetiere Marketing Advisors and non-profit PS Resorts. Prior to that, he worked for Noble House Hotels & Resorts as Vice-President and Managing Director at Riviera Palm Springs, and Managing Director at The Edgewater/Hotel Deca in Seattle where he was instrumental in earning the property’s first ever AAA Four Diamond status.

Kruger began his career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide - Sheraton Corporation; during his tenure with Sheraton he held positions included Catering Manager, Director of Food & Beverage, Hotel Manager and General Manager.

Thomas Klein, Regional Vice- President and General Manager of The Fairmont San Francisco shares, Fairmont is extremely fortunate to be adding a hotelier of Karl’s caliber to our senior team. I am quite confident that Karl’s proven leadership abilities coupled with his impressive industry experience and proven track record on driving hotel performance will further elevate the hotel’s position in the Southern California luxury hotel market.”

Mr. Kruger comments, “Fairmont is one of the world’s most distinctive brands and I have always respected the brand. I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead the Fairmont Newport Beach team as we continue to leverage positive trends in the industry through use of new technology, while continuing to provide an unrivalled experience for our guests.”

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University’s College of Business - Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management School, Kruger went on to receive an MBA graduating with distinction from Rockhurst College’s Executive Fellows Program in Kansas City.  He is also a 20 year member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs and a 30 year member of Rotary International.

ABOUT FAIRMONT NEWPORT BEACH
Nestled in the center of coastal Orange County and located just a stone's throw away from John Wayne/Orange County Airport, the Fairmont Newport Beach combines European traditions with California flair. Offering 440 luxuriously appointed rooms, including 54 exquisite suites, the hotel also features a roof-top pool complete with cabanas; a new fitness facility; a spa and salon; nearly 17,000 square feet of meeting space and over 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor banquet space; and award-winning dining at bambú Restaurant.  For more information or for reservations, please call 1.949-476-2007 or 1.800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com/newportbeach.

ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which will arrive in destinations as diverse as Jaipur, Kyiv and Manila in 2012, is a celebrated collection of more than 60 luxury properties around the globe, including Shanghai's Fairmont Peace Hotel, The Plaza in New York, and Makkah Clock Royal Tower in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The luxury brand's distinctive hotels offer a sense of heritage and sophistication, warm, engaging service and culturally rich experiences. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also recognized internationally for its responsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, a leading global hotel company with over 100 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private residences club, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties.  For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit fairmont.com

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