Newport, RI – April 21, 2011  – Castle Hill Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property located at 590 Ocean Drive, is pleased to announce that Elias A. Van Niekerk has been named Director of Food & Beverage, where he will be responsible for the hiring, training, and development of all foodservice positions; creating, maintaining, and enhancing all service standards; working with Executive Chef Jonathan Cambra and Chef de Cuisine Karsten Hart on menu planning; and the development and maintenance of the award-winning property’s beverage program.  For more information, please call 401.849.3800 or visit www.castlehillinn.com.

“We are happy to welcome Elias to Castle Hill,” said Daniel Braun, General Manager.  “His knowledge and experience at five star properties falls perfectly in line with our philosophy at Castle Hill, and we are confident that he will be instrumental in taking our culinary and beverage programming to an even higher level.”

Prior to joining Castle Hill, Elias was first the Food & Beverage Manager and then the Director of Banquets at The Ritz-Carlton in Tucson, Arizona. There, he managed a team that coordinated $8 million of yearly functions of up to 800 guests and was instrumental in opening the property’s signature restaurant.

Before The Ritz in Arizona, Elias was the Restaurant Manager at The Ritz-Carlton in Doha, Qatar, the number one ranked restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton’s portfolio for Asia and the Middle East. Prior to that, Elias was a Manager at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida.

Prior to embarking on his hospitality career with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Elias worked in several restaurants and a private game reserve in his native South Africa. He is a graduate of The University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, holding a degree in Business Baccalaureate Law. He currently resides in Charlestown, RI.

About Castle Hill Inn
Castle Hill is open for dinner from 5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the ocean view dining room, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with brunch served on Sundays from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm accompanied by live jazz.

Castle Hill Inn is a Relais & Chateaux property, exemplifying the warmth and quiet luxury of 19th century seacoast life. Voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure as one of the top hotels in the world, and lauded by the New York Times as ‘the best spot in town,’ Castle Hill Inn & Resort is the epitome of Newport elegance.

Castle Hill Inn includes the Agassiz Mansion, Harbor House rooms, Beach House rooms, Beach Cottages, the Chalet, and four dining rooms. Castle Hill Inn and Resort delivers an unmatched getaway in a superb oceanfront location.

Castle Hill Inn is operated by Newport Harbor Corporation, an employee-owned (ESOP) hospitality corporation based in Newport, RI. For more information on Newport Harbor Corporation, please visit the website at www.newportharbor.com