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Brent R. Gresham Appointed as General Manager of the
French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC - February 24, 2012
– Luxury hotelier Brent R. Gresham has been named General Manager of the French Quarter Inn, the luxury inn located downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

A native of South Carolina, growing up near Charleston, Mr. Gresham graduated among the top of his class from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina and is also a graduate of the world-renowned Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland. As General Manager of the French Quarter Inn, Mr. Gresham will focus on the continuation of enhancing the guest experience at the AAA Four-Diamond Inn. The Inn skillfully marries the pleasures of a stay in an old-world elegance of a Parisian chateau while experiencing the admired southern comforts of one of the country’s most service-minded hotels and dining destinations.

Mr. Gresham’s experiences in the world of luxury travel made him the perfect candidate for the General Manager position. While in college, he worked at the AAA Four Diamond Westin Resort and Spa on Hilton Head Island which is managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. He was soon promoted to Resort Manager on Duty, and being just 19 years old, he was the resort’s youngest manager.

Following the completion of his Masters Degree, Gresham was recruited by the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond resort The Lodge at Sea Island as the resort’s Banquet Director and Assistant Food and Beverage Director; some accomplishments during his tenure was earning #1 in the US for “Top Dining” by Zagat, and the prized title of “The Best Hotel in the World” by Travel & Leisure magazine. In his leisure time, he also began his own consulting business, teaching corporate etiquette and international protocol. He earned license and certification from The Protocol School of Washington in Washington D.C.

All of this was a major step in a career path he had chosen while still a child, but opportunity had other plans in another direction. Mr. Gresham was accepted to study in the Master Graduate program at the world’s first and most prestigious hotel school – Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland; the school is known for its meticulous selection process, and Mr. Gresham was the only American to be accepted for the year. While attending graduate school there, he further broadened his education, studying both the business practices and design concepts of many of Europe’s most luxurious hotels.

Upon graduation, and at 24 years of age, Mr. Gresham accepted the position of Director of Operations for Woodlands Inn in Summerville, South Carolina – another Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond property in both lodging and dining and a resort which is continually recognized as one of the most elite establishments in the world. He was recognized for successfully managing the property during the luxury industry’s most difficult years on record while retaining all accolades as well as earning further awards to include #1 in US and Canada and #3 in the world in “Service” by Travel & Leisure magazine.  During his time at Woodlands, the Dining Room was named Best Restaurant in Charleston by The Post and Courier – an exciting achievement for a town gaining global culinary attention.

Mr. Gresham later left that position to go to the University of Central Florida and pursue another passion – that of teaching hospitality management as well as the science and art of the hospitality industry to future hospitality leaders. After lecturing to students about the philosophies of management and marketing, Mr. Gresham was chosen to lead Texas’ only Forbes Five Star property The Inn at Dos Brisas.  As General Manager, Mr. Gresham collaborated with culinary legend Chef Craig Shelton and Master Farmer Doug Langum to brand Dos Brisas as an international gastronomic destination by artfully crafting unparalleled service and presenting guests succulent dishes using only produce grown throughout the property’s USDA certified organic gardens. Under his watch, Dos Brisas was named “Top 5 Boutique Hotels in the World” by AOL Travel.

It is from there he comes back to South Carolina, the place Mr. Gresham calls home and “heaven” to take the reins of the French Quarter Inn and continue a legacy of service left by his predecessor Bernard Visscher.

An avid outdoorsman who particularly enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and learning to master the art of wild foraging, Mr. Gresham is glad to be back in the Low Country where he “knows the fishing holes and secret natural wonders….”

About The French Quarter Inn
The French Quarter Inn, known to many as one of the finest Charleston hotels, overlooks the newly renovated City Market and St. Philip's steeple. The French Quarter Inn is an inspiring treasure surrounded by American history; this small luxury hotel continues to be Charleston’s landmark of timeless elegance.

The Inn’s newly redesigned rooms are inspired by the old world elegance of a Parisian chateau set against the architectural backdrop of Charleston’s classic French Quarter. Red medallion-patterned draperies and damask chenille upholstery in hues of black, white and gold create a rich distinction between the fabrics and furniture, of the highest quality.

Among many other amenities, guests of the hotel enjoy complimentary items such as: champagne and lady fingers at check-in, an evening wine and cheese reception, freshly baked cookies and milk, evening turn down service and gourmet continental breakfast in the lobby or served to your room. The oversized guest rooms, some with working fireplaces, private balconies, and whirlpool tubs, provide imagery of an era gone by, but still grants contemporary amenities a sophisticated traveler has come to expect.

Enjoy some of Charleston's finest cuisine at Tristan which graces French Quarter Inn's lobby atrium on the ground floor. Chef Nate Whiting prepares unexpected cuisine with traditional ingredients at this chic and stylish AAA Four Diamond restaurant. Mr. Gresham is thrilled to reunite with Chef Whiting as they were colleagues at Woodlands Inn.

French Quarter Inn is located downtown historic Charleston, South Carolina. For more information, call (866) 812-1900 or visit the website, www.fqicharleston.com

Contact:

French Quarter Inn
www.fqicharleston.com


 

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Also See: Brent Gresham Named as General Manager of The Inn at Dos Brisas near Brenham, Texas / April 2011
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