San Diego, Calif. (July 2008) � THE US GRANT, a historic Starwood Luxury Collection hotel that underwent a meticulous $56 million renovation and reopened in October 2006, has named nine-year Starwood veteran, Douglas R. Korn, as its new General Manager. 

No stranger to San Diego or the downtown neighborhood, Korn has spent the last six years as the General Manager of The Westin Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, just a few blocks from THE US GRANT.  Prior to that, he held the position of General Manager at the former Four Points by Sheraton Rancho Bernardo in San Diego, Calif.  He also spent eight years with Interstate Hotels, serving as General Manager at The Cliffs Resort Hotel in Pismo Beach, Calif. and the Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla, another historic hotel in San Diego County. 

Korn�s addition to THE US GRANT � a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel � will bring fresh ideas and diversified hospitality experience to this special property that is downtown San Diego�s only AAA Four Diamond and Exxon-Mobil Four Star hotel.

�I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the team at this celebrated hotel, which has been brought full circle to a modern version of its former glory and is once again synonymous with a downtown San Diego luxury experience,� Korn explains.  �I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated hotel staff to further develop THE GRANT.�

Korn explains that his immediate goals will be to generate new sources of business for the iconic hotel, to oversee the ongoing development of a full-service luxury spa at the hotel and to draw even more of the local and visitor market to experience the singular dining experience of the legendary Grant Grill.  Korn also looks forward to beginning preparations for THE US GRANT'S 100th anniversary celebration in October 2010.

�We have much to celebrate as we approach our centennial year and look toward the promising future � not only has THE GRANT reclaimed its position as one of San Diego�s iconic hotels,� Korn says, �but we are at the center of the inspiring renaissance that is sweeping our entire downtown.�

Before relocating to California, Korn began his hospitality career with Marriott Hotels & Resorts at several properties across the Midwest before serving as Director of Rooms Operations at The Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, MI, a historic hotel that was a popular social gathering place and host of Ford Motor Company events.  Korn continued to advance his career at Marriott properties in Colorado Springs, CO and Albany, NY.

A native of Buffalo, NY, Korn holds a bachelor�s degree in Restaurant Hotel and Institutional Management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.  He lives in San Diego with his wife, Rebecca, and sons, Jeffrey and Richard.  He enjoys spending time with his family, participating in water sports and traveling in his free time. 

THE US GRANT� is the world-class embodiment of the history, vitality and dynamic character of Downtown San Diego. The landmark hotel re-opened in October 2006 as a member of the elite Starwood Luxury Collection after a meticulous $56 million renovation and historic restoration by its owner, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Located at 326 Broadway, San Diego, Calif. 92101 and originally opened in 1910, the 11-story hotel has been listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places since 1979. The historically chic hotel offers 270 guest rooms, including 47 suites; 33,000 square feet of Ballroom and special event space weaving elegance and history with 21stcentury technology, and a contemporary interpretation of the legendary Grant Grill and Lounge. The hotel sits at the edge of the city�s trendy Gaslamp Quarter, theater and financial districts and minutes from San Diego Bay, Balboa Park and the area�s famed visitor attractions. With entirely new furnishings, décor and original works of art in both public spaces and guest rooms, THE US GRANT is an urban sanctuary in the heart of one of America�s most cosmopolitan cities.  For additional in information, please call (619) 232-3121, or visit THE US GRANT online at: www.luxurycollection.com/usgrant

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels.  Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

The Marshall Plan
310.452.1234 / [email protected]
 
www.luxurycollection.com/usgrant