LONG BEACH, Calif. — Longtime hospitality industry veteran Rahul Vir has been named general manager of the new Marriott Long Beach Downtown, overseeing 140 employees as well as all day-to-day operations of the 376-room property. In his current role, he directs day-to-day management of the 12-story property and has been instrumental in spearheading a top to bottom renovation now underway.
When complete in June of 2024, Marriott Long Beach Downtown will emerge with a modern and vibrant design encompassing all 376 rooms and suites, a stunning rooftop pool and deck with sweeping city and ocean views, a fresh new dining venue Local Current, a central Greatroom lobby designed for social interaction and work, a stylish lobby market, a state-of-the-art exercise facility and ample cutting-edge meeting space.
Vir is well equipped to oversee the hotel’s transformation. With over three decades of global hospitality experience, he joined Marriott International as opening director of food and beverage at the Renaissance São Paulo Hotel. He has steadily climbed the industry ranks since then, serving as general manager of Renaissance São Paolo and general manager of the Irvine Marriott Hotel. He later joined Marriott’s Caribbean and Latin America team as area vice president for South America, taking charge of all managed and franchised hotels throughout South America and playing an integral part in the region’s growth strategy. In 2016, in preparation for the integration of the Starwood portfolio and the realignment of the new organization, Vir transitioned to the role of Marriott International’s area vice president for Central America and Northern South America and also served as vice president, Marriott Select Brands and Owner & Franchise relations.
Fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Hindi, he is a board member of Visit Long Beach and a member of the Climate Reality Project’s Leadership Corps.
Vir holds degrees in hospitality administration/management from Sophia Polytechnic in Bombay, India and Ecole Hoteliere Les Roches in Bluche, Switzerland; an executive MBA in international business from the Business School São Paolo and an advanced certificate in hotel real estate and asset management from Cornell University.
