NEWPORT BEACH, CA (SEPTEMBER 26, 2011) - Newport Beach, CA-based Evolution Hospitality announced that effective September 23, 2011 it has assumed responsibility for all operations of the Queen Mary located in Long Beach, CA. Evolution Hospitality was selected to manage the legendary luxury cruise ship by Save The Queen, LLC who leases the ship and surrounding 43 acres from the city of Long Beach. Evolution Hospitality’s oversight will encompass the ship’s 314 staterooms, 80,000 sq. ft. of meetings space, museum and attraction ticket sales, special event production, retail outlets, and seven restaurant and bars.

“We were selected to manage the Queen Mary after an arduous selection process for several reasons,” said John Murphy, president of Evolution Hospitality. “First and foremost, it was our team of corporate support members, all experts in their respective fields. Our location within a 30 minute drive of the asset and our familiarity with the Southern California market provided distinct advantages, as well as the way we do business: we think and act like owners because the Evolution Hospitality’s senior leadership are and have been owners. But it was the experience of the team at Evolution Hospitality with complicated assets that include more than just rooms, our ability to drive top line sales, and our online tools and technology that secured the contract.”

Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco period decor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. Roughly twice the gross tonnage of The Titanic, the Queen Mary’s maiden voyage was on May 27, 1936. This year marked the 75th anniversary of her first sailing. The ship was commissioned into the Navy from 1940-1946 during World War II to carry military personnel, and after the war operated as a luxury cruise line until 1967. The City of Long Beach purchased the Queen Mary in 1967 and it has been docked permanently in Long Beach since it arrived on December 9th that year. Today the ship operates as one of Southern California’s premier attractions as well as a 314-room hotel with over 80,000 square feet of meeting/banquet space in 14 authentic Art Deco period salons, seven restaurants and lounges, and 17 retail outlets.

Matt Greene, regional director of operations for Evolution Hospitality and general manager of the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, will oversee the transition and ongoing operations for the ship. Greene has over 20 years’ experience in hotel/entertainment management. Before joining the Evolution Hospitality team he has worked with W Hotels, Hotel ZaZa in Dallas, Texas, and most recently Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, where he served as senior vice president of operations responsible for the overall operations of the hotel, the property’s entertainment division, the hotel’s retail division, and its famed nightlife and food and beverage outlets.

About Evolution Hospitality, LLC – www.EvolutionHospitality.com
Based in Newport Beach, California, Evolution Hospitality manages hotel properties in major metropolitan markets. A few hotels in the Evolution Hospitality portfolio include Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, Queen Mary Long Beach, San Mateo Marriott, Courtyard San Diego Mission Valley, Courtyard Anaheim and Homewood Suites Seattle. Evolution Hospitality is a member of the Tarsadia alliance of independent companies; Matt Raine spearheads business development. For more information see www.evolutionhospitality.com or contact Matt at 949-610-8026 or [email protected].
 
About the Queen Mary
Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary’s signature restaurants include the award-winning Sir Winston’s and Chelsea Chowder House & Bar as well as a weekly Champagne Sunday Brunch served in the ship’s Grand Salon. History buffs enjoy the ship’s museum and Behind the Scenes tour while guests of all ages love the Ghosts and Legends tour. The Queen Mary features 80,000 square feet of event space in 17 remarkable Art Deco salons as well as a tri-level, 45,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall. The Queen Mary boasts 314 staterooms spanning three decks including nine full suites which have hosted a variety of colorful characters from World War II leaders to British royalty and the stars of Hollywood’s golden era. For more information or for reservations, see www.queenmary.com or call (800) 437-2934.