LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 5, 2024) – Ahead of the anticipated opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach this summer, the resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Houssem Tasco, Claudine Espinoza, and David Houde as the property’s Hotel Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Director of Meetings and Events, respectively. Collectively, the trio brings more than 60 years of hospitality experience to Santa Monica’s newest beachfront resort, which will also be the first destination in the Americas for the reimagined Regent Hotels & Resorts brand.
Houssem Tasco, Hotel Manager
Tasco, a seasoned veteran with over two decades of hospitality experience, brings a wealth of industry knowledge across multiple facets—from operations to hotel repositioning to business development and beyond. His distinguished career includes pivotal roles with prestigious hotel brands including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, The Peninsula Hotels, Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, and Proper Hospitality. His deep understanding of the Los Angeles market and extensive experience in flagship property pre-openings within the ultra-luxury segment uniquely position him to spearhead the operations team at Regent Santa Monica Beach during the exciting resurgence for Regent Hotels & Resorts.
In his role as Hotel Manager, Tasco will orchestrate the day-to-day operations of Regent Santa Monica Beach, both internally and externally. Tasco’s passion for nurturing and guiding teams toward achieving Forbes Five-Star excellence is evident in his leadership approach.
Tasco graduated with a degree in hotel administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is fluent in four languages, further enriching his ability to connect with guests and colleagues alike.
Claudine Espinoza, Director of Sales and Marketing
Having started her sales career at two of the most well-respected hotel brands–the Four Seasons Hotels and Resort and Auberge Resorts Collection–Espinoza has established herself as a seasoned hotelier. In her most recent role, Espinoza served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel where she was responsible for all marketing, e-commerce and sales activities for the property. Espinoza brings over 21 years of experience, marked by consistently meeting and exceeding sales goals and enhancing return on investment. She will play a vital role in boosting revenue and bookings for Regent Santa Monica Beach, overseeing group and leisure sales, international sales, special events, weddings, incentive travel, and more, in addition to leading key digital marketing campaigns. A dedicated leader and mentor, Espinoza has consistently guided teams to achieve significant year-over-year growth. Raised in Paris, Madrid, and San Francisco, Espinoza is fluent in French and Spanish.
David Houde, Director of Meetings and Events
Houde joins Regent Santa Monica Beach as Director of Meetings and Events succeeding events roles at Proper Hospitality, alongside catering and sales experience at The Doyle Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and Loews Hotels. Leveraging his knowledge and expertise, Houde will play an instrumental part in planning and executing events at the resort, coordinating accommodations and venue logistics, sales, staffing, catering, transportation services, and more. Houde’s unwavering passion for the hospitality industry coupled with his commitment to travelers, team members, and the local community is bound to deliver meaningful moments in tandem with the resort’s grand opening.
