New General Manager for Sydney’s 25hours
25hours Hotel The Olympia has welcomed a new General Manager, Jake Guilfoyle, ahead of its opening on September 25.
Guilfoyle returns to his home of Sydney to take up the role, bringing over a decade of experience in luxury lifestyle hotels across Australia and Southeast Asia.
A multi-award winner and 2022 HM Awards finalist for Australian General Manager of the Year, Guilfoyle recently supported the rebranding and opening of Ennismore’s Hyde Melbourne Place and previously served in a number of leadership roles at QT and Rydges hotels including at QT Gold Coast, QT Sydney, QT Falls Creek, and as General Manager of Operations at QT Singapore.
He takes the reins from Jeremy Colohan who has been appointed General Manager at Mondrian Gold Coast.
“I’m excited to be launching the very first 25hours Hotel in Australia and its four venues,” said Guilfoyle.
“I grew up in Sydney and to lead a hotel that celebrates individuality, creativity and history in my hometown is very special.
“We’re building something that lasts, a full experience that not only travellers, but locals will seek out, and at the heart of it all, I look forward to leading a fun, energetic team who bring that sense of joy and personality to every guest interaction.”
He will oversee a team of over 100 staff and report directly to Ennismore Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific, Sylvain Pasdeloup.
“Jake embodies the spirit of 25hours – bold, creative and deeply connected to community,” said Pasdeloup.
“His track record of launching and elevating lifestyle hotels is impressive, and I’m looking forward to seeing him bring that energy to our first Australian venue.
“With Jake at the helm, 25hours Hotel The Olympia will be more than a hotel – it will be a cultural hub for travellers and the neighbourhood.”
Hannah St. Hotel General Manager announced
TFE Hotels has appointed Peter Minatsis as General Manager of Hannah St. Hotel Melbourne, set to open in Southbank this summer.
Joining from Le Méridien Melbourne, where he led the successful pre-opening and brand relaunch in the Australian market, Minatsis has more than two decades of industry experience spanning Australia, Fiji, and Canada.
His previous roles include General Manager at Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, and senior leadership positions at The Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa and Sheraton Resort and Spa Tokoriki Island in Fiji. He has also held senior positions with Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton properties across both Canada and Australia.
As Chair of the Accommodation Australia (Victoria) State Advisory Group, he champions best practice and innovation in hospitality.
“We’re delighted to welcome Peter to the team as we prepare to open a hotel that reflects the design, culture and character of its surrounds,” said TFE Hotels’ Group Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sedgwick.
“His approach aligns beautifully with the hotel’s design-forward vision and the guest experience we’re looking to create.
“With his breadth of experience, steady leadership and creative mindset, Peter is the ideal choice to open and lead Hannah St. Hotel. His ability to foster high-performing teams and collaborate across all aspects of the operation – from guest experience and service to design, shared services and the broader Queensbridge development – will be instrumental to the hotel’s success.”
Minatsis described Hannah St. Hotel as “one of the most exciting new hotel experiences to launch in Melbourne – layered and considered in design, rich in local character, and unapologetically original.”
“It feels like the kind of place Melbourne has been waiting for. I couldn’t be more excited to join the TFE team and help bring the brand vision to life,” he said.
Marriott International appoints SVP of South Asia
Marriott International has promoted Kiran Andicot to the position of Senior Vice President, South Asia, overseeing Operations and Development across the regional portfolio.
In this expanded role, he will “align growth with operating performance, deepen owner partnerships, accelerate conversions and openings, and strengthen the region’s leadership bench”.
Andicot has almost 30 years of hospitality leadership experience from hotel operations, consultancy, planning and feasibility to development across India and South Asia.
He joined Marriott’s Development and Feasibility team in 2006, rising through the ranks over his 19-year tenure to lead development in South Asia, supporting unprecedented growth momentum in India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh, signing more than 220 hotels for the region.
In India alone, Kiran and his team secured a record signing of 42 hotels and 7,000 rooms in 2024.
“These accomplishments are a testament to Kiran’s deep understanding of South Asia markets, strong relationships with our owner partners, incisive business acumen and steady leadership,” said Marriott International President Asia Pacific excluding China, Rajeev Menon.
“I am confident that with Kiran’s vast expertise supported by our experienced leadership bench, will position Marriott well as we continue our trajectory of sustained growth in South Asia.”