SAN FRANCISCO (November 28, 2012) – Hotel Vitale is pleased to announce the appointment of Al Smyth as director of events for San Francisco’s only luxury waterfront hotel.  A seasoned hospitality leader with specific experience generating revenue and managing operations at several of San Francisco’s premier hotel events venues, Smyth brings more than 20 years of experience planning and executing large-scale events for high-profile hotels, enterprises and individuals.

A fourth-generation San Franciscan, Smyth last served as director of catering and catering sales at the Fairmont Hotel, where he was responsible for driving events revenue and managing 58,000 square feet of event space, including the Penthouse Suite.  Prior to that, Smyth served as director of event sales and design at Clift Hotel, where he directed catering events and convention services at the hotel, utilizing 10,000 square feet of function space, which includes the Redwood Room.  Additionally, Smyth’s leadership experience at San Francisco luxury hotels extends to the Mark Hopkins InterContinental, where, as director of catering and conference services, he directed sales revenue efforts for the 380-guestroom hotel, including Top of the Mark.  During that time, Smyth also managed client relations in the midst of an extensive $100 million restoration project, during which time the hotel remained open.

“Al’s extensive background in the luxury hospitality industry, combined with his extensive experience increasing event sales at celebrated San Francisco properties, makes him the ideal candidate for this position,” said Melony Williams, general manager of Hotel Vitale.  “We look forward to the many positive contributions he will make as a member of Hotel Vitale’s management team.”

Hotel Vitale in San Francisco offers waterfront views that include iconic San Francisco landmarks such as The Ferry Building, the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and Alcatraz.  These vistas can be taken in from Hotel Vitale’s unique outdoor terrace event spaces and from the Americano patio on the hotel’s lobby level.  Hotel Vitale offers many indulgences and amenities with a “luxury, naturally” experience for every guest.  The popular penthouse-level Spa Vitale provides therapeutic massage and facial treatments, and Americano Restaurant, under the direction of Executive Chef Kory Stewart, serves hand-crafted, Italian cuisine.

Hotel Vitale is located at 8 Mission Street at the corner of Embarcadero in San Francisco.  For more information, please visit www.hotelvitale.com

About Joie de Vivre Hotels
Joie de Vivre Hotels embarked on its mission to “create joy” for guests and employees in 1987, when Chip Conley founded the innovative hospitality company in San Francisco. Each one of Joie de Vivre’s more than 30 hotels is an original concept designed to reflect the local community and engage the five senses so that guests enjoy authentic, memorable experiences. Today Joie de Vivre manages the largest collection of boutique hotels and resorts in California and expanded outside the state with the opening of The Saguaro in Scottsdale, AZ in November 2011 and Hotel Lincoln in Chicago in early 2012.