PRZOOM - /newswire/ - Coral Gables, FL, United States, 2008/09/11 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has named George Cozonis as general manager of The Atlantic Resort & Spa, a Luxury Collection resort on Fort Lauderdale Beach [NYSE:HOT] - LuxuryCollection.com.

In his new role, Cozonis, who most recently served as vice president and general manager of the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel in Coconut Grove, Fla., will oversee operations, development and sales and marketing of the resort and its outlets Spa Atlantic and Trina Restaurant & Lounge. Cozonis will report to Graeme Davis, vice president of operations of the southeast and the Caribbean.

“George brings to Fort Lauderdale an exceptional track record as one of South Florida’s most respected, admired and accomplished hospitality leaders. As Fort Lauderdale continues to develop as a luxury destination, Starwood believes his experience will assist us in further strengthening The Atlantic Resort & Spa’s leadership role in the market,” said Davis.

Cozonis began his nearly 25-year career in hospitality in 1983 serving as a management trainee at the Omni Parker House in Boston, the oldest operating hotel in the country. After working in various roles for Omni, he was appointed general manager of the Omni at Independence Park in Philadelphia a decade later. Since then, he has managed hotels for Omni in Houston, one of 75 hotels in North America designated as an AAA Five-Diamond property, and Coral Gables, Fla. In 2004, Cozonis accepted a position at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel.

In addition to his hotel leadership, Cozonis’ passion for gastronomy has been the driving force behind the repositioning of fine dining establishments. At the Sonesta, he was instrumental in bringing the Nikki Grove concept to Coconut Grove, which to date has received great critical and public acclaim.

Cozonis earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and completed a general manager’s program at Cornell University. He has been a guest lecturer at many top hospitality schools, including New York University, Conrad Hilton School of Hotel Management in Houston, and Florida International University. Not only an industry veteran and scholar, but also a dedicated community leader, Cozonis has held various board of director appointments including: 10 years on the board of directors of the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association; an appointment by Miami Dade County Commissioners to serve on the Tourist Development Council (TDC); and was last year elected as a member of the board of directors of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Attn Editors: Color photography available.

The Atlantic Resort & Spa, a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection and the first oceanfront luxury resort to open in Fort Lauderdale, is a 124-personal residence property. An award-winning resort, The Atlantic is surrounded by 23 miles of golden-sand beaches and boasts an award-winning signature restaurant, Trina Restaurant & Lounge, with a Mediterranean gourmet menu, and a blissful 10,000 square foot sea-and-citrus inspired Zen refuge, Spa Atlantic. Reservations for The Atlantic may be made through the worldwide Luxury Collection Reservations offices with toll-free telephone numbers in 59 countries (1-866-837-4274 in the U.S. or Canada) or by visiting our website.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft(SM), and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.

Agency / Source: Taylor Marciano Public Relations

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