“I am delighted to be back in the Caribbean and working with the exceptional staff at Frenchman’s Reef,” said Martin Smith, Managing Director. “As we get settled into our new roles, we aim to inspire travelers and our guests with exceptional customer service and innovative on-site resort amenities, while offering two distinct, yet equally blissful island vacation experiences.”
Martin Smith will oversee all operations for the two distinctive yet interconnected resorts at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef and Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort at Frenchman’s Reef, Autograph Collection. Most recently, Martin served as Complex General Manager of Eden Roc Miami Beach and Nobu Hotel Miami Beach. During his tenure, he oversaw more than $5 million of capital improvements and grew complex ADR by $59.22 to $398.26. Martin has a wealth of Caribbean experience, including a two-year stint as Managing Director of Fairmont El San Juan Hotel and several years as CEO at St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club in Puerto Rico. Additionally, from 2010-2013, he served as General Manager of Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina in the British Virgin Islands. With a passion for genuine hospitality, Martin forges incredible relationships with local communities and joined the team in St. Thomas this week.
Andrew Haas brings 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a strong focus on building exceptional brands, developing leadership, and enhancing hotel and associate performance. Previously, Andrew spent 21 years at Marriott International, where he held various leadership roles in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Management, and served as the corporate liaison for 65 North American Franchise Management Companies, overseeing hundreds of full-service hotels. He played a key role in aligning franchise partners with business strategies, driving development, improving customer delivery, and executing business objectives, all while focusing on maximizing top-line sales. In his new role as Vice President of Commercial Services for Frenchman’s Reef, and as part of the topline leadership team at Davidson Resorts, Andrew will collaborate with the property teams to strategically identify and leverage new and emerging accounts, markets, and verticals. He will work with the sales team to establish High Impact meeting strategies and optimize communications across Marriott Sales channels, with a strong emphasis on enhancing customer acquisition and retention via the design and implementation of world-class site experiences, overseeing the meticulous execution and follow-up of group events, ensuring unparalleled customer satisfaction. Furthermore, Andrew will work closely with the Sales, Revenue and Marketing leadership teams to maximize the resort’s revenue potential, ensuring the highest possible capture rate per customer.
With 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Maria Vilchez is driven by a passion for developing exceptional leaders and cohesive teams. Most recently, Maria served as Hotel Manager at Eden Roc Miami Beach and oversaw all aspects of front office, guest services, VIP services, parking, bell, public areas, housekeeping, and security. Maria possesses extensive hands-on knowledge of the rooms division within luxury brands, demonstrating a proven record of delivering exceptional guest experiences that embody the essence of luxury while fostering a culture of genuine and heartfelt service among her team. In her new role as General Manager of Buoy Haus Beach Resort, Maria will lead day-to-day operations for the 94-room Oceanfront property with an emphasis on providing memorable and personalized experiences for guests.
Tags: Frenchman’s Reef, Martin Smith, Autograph Collection Andrew Haas, Maria Vilchez
