Hilton has announced a lineup of luxury hospitality executives joining the 375-room Waldorf Astoria New York, which is expected to reopen its doors later this year following an extensive, multi-year restoration. Leading the team is managing director Luigi Romaniello, and returning to the hotel in a new capacity is executive director of sales Jasmin Howanietz. Romaniello and Howanietz together bring decades' worth of expertise to their roles.
Romaniello's 30-plus-year career includes leadership roles at luxury hotels worldwide, where he has demonstrated skills in openings, renovations, repositioning and concept development. In addition to driving plans for the property's reopening, Romaniello is responsible for all aspects of operations for both the hotel, Waldorf Astoria New York, and its newly introduced residences, Waldorf Astoria Residences New York.
Most recently, he served as managing director at The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York City. Prior to this position, he spent more than 20 years with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, where he led the openings of Rosewood Baha Mar and Rosewood Abu Dhabi Hotel as managing director. Originally from Rome, Romaniello has a Bachelor of Science in hotel and restaurants management from the University of Houston.
Howanietz, on the other hand, has 25 years of sales experience in the hospitality sector. She has returned to Waldorf Astoria New York after dedicating more than a decade of her career to commercial leadership positions at the hotel, including director of sales and marketing, director of sales, and director of diplomatic affairs. In her new position at the property, Howanietz will drive the commercial strategy, overseeing all sales endeavors for the luxury group, leisure and business travel segments, along with New York City’s premier social events. She will work closely with the sales and marketing team for Waldorf Astoria Residences New York.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in hotel-restaurant/institutional management from Johnson & Wales University and she attended the Hotel Management School of Salzburg in Austria.
In addition to Howanietz, the executive team includes:
- Maggie Mojica, Director of Group Sales
- Michael Gubbins, Director of Property Operations
- Harrison Rohr, Director of Catering
- Amanda Dempsey, Director of Marketing
- Steven Snyder, Director of Human Resources
Following an extensive restoration, Waldorf Astoria New York will launch a new era for the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand. The 375-room hotel will feature some of Manhattan’s largest rooms and suites, more than 43,000 square feet of event space totaling 17 hosting spaces, and one of the largest spas in New York City—spanning more than 30,000 square feet. Inspired by the hotel’s classic grandeur, designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has blended the old and the new.
Atop the renovated property, Waldorf Astoria Residences New York will introduce a residential lifestyle on Park Avenue, comprising 375 private residences with interiors by Jean-Louis Deniot, exclusive amenities and an art collection curated by art collector and auctioneer Simon de Pury.
Related Articles
Waldorf Astoria Expands in Africa and Middle East
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Unveils Specialty Suites