The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2010 � Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Sandy Walding as controller for Hotel Granduca, Houston's newest and most luxurious boutique hotel.  Mary Grace Gray, general manager, made the announcement.

�I am so pleased to welcome Sandy to Hotel Granduca,� said Ms. Gray. �This represents a return to Benchmark Hospitality for her, having previously served as a property controller for the company.  We�re thrilled to have her as part of our executive team.� 

Sandy Walding was most recently senior corporate accountant for the Westmont Hospitality Group, responsible for overseeing the finances and debt management of seven hotels within the company�s management portfolio.

Previously, Ms. Walding served as controller for Hotel Icon, the luxury boutique property located in downtown Houston, which Benchmark Hospitality International opened in 2003. She has served as controller for Sunstone Hotel Investors at the Wyndham Greenspoint in Houston.  Other positions she held while employed at this property include assistant director of financial services and accounting manager. 

Prior to these appointments, Ms. Walding held financial accounting positions of increasing responsibility for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Vista Host, Inc., and Excursion Trains, Inc.

Sandy Walding received a Masters degree in Accountancy from the University of Houston.  She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management also from the University of Houston.  She resides in Houston.

About Hotel Granduca
Considered one of Houston�s premier, luxury boutique hotels, and the only Leading Hotels of the World property in Texas, the Mobil Four Star Hotel Granduca is majestically situated in the heart of Houston�s Uptown Park and Galleria district.  Built in 2006, and offering 123 luxuriously appointed accommodations and suites, Hotel Granduca also features the award-winning Ristorante Cavour, more than 1,200 square feet of exclusive function space, Bar Malatesta, a sparkling pool with private cabanas and lushly landscaped verandas and courtyards .  For information or reservations, call 1-888-472-6382, or contact your travel professional.  Visit online at www.granducahouston.com.  Hotel Granduca is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International.

Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels�.  The independent company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston.  The company�s northeast regional office is in New Jersey, with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark�s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.