M&R Team News

M&R Managers Meet NYC Mayor at Tourism Event

SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square General Manager Tanya Jamal and Assistant General Manager Sana Arshad had the opportunity to meet New York City Mayor Eric Adams at an event last month centered on the city’s hotel market and its outlook in light of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26 international soccer tournament.

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‘Wellness Week’ Celebrates Health, Happiness and Team Spirit

M&R’s first-ever “Wellness Week,” held across all properties last month, celebrated health, happiness and team spirit and brought employees together through activities focused on movement, mindfulness and community.

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Patricia Soto Named Director of Operations at Hotel Alameda

Patricia Soto, a seasoned hospitality professional with an extensive background and a passion for service excellence, has been appointed director of operations at Hotel Alameda High Line.

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Kristy Alfaro Promoted to Director of Front Office at TownePlace Suites

Kristy Alfaro has been promoted to director of front office at the TownePlace Suites Manhattan/Times Square, a milestone that reflects dedication, leadership and remarkable growth within the company.

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Team Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

M&R is celebrating several valued team members who recently reached important service milestones. Their dedication, professionalism and commitment to guest satisfaction are deeply appreciated across the organization and with guests:

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September Photo Gallery

Team members at the Fairfield New York Manhattan/Central Park celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on Aug. 2. Did you know the original ice cream sandwich sold for a penny in 1900 from a pushcart in the Bowery neighborhood of New York? Whether it's vanilla, strawberry or Neapolitan ice cream between two chocolate wafers, the frozen treat sure hits the spot on a hot summer day.

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Holiday Inn New York City − Times Square Welcomes New General Manager

Ivan Weiner, a hospitality leader with over 30 years of experience and a reputation for operational excellence, strategic innovation and commitment to guest service, has been appointed general manager of the Holiday Inn New York City − Times Square.

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Area Director of Sales & Marketing Appointed in Manhattan

Esther Barbosa, a hospitality professional with over 15 years’ experience in sales and marketing, has been appointed area director of sales & marketing for the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square South and The Hotel Alameda at the Highline.

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Kevin Rahaman Named Area Facility Manager

M&R has promoted Sarfarz “Kevin” Rahaman to area facility manager, overseeing operations at the Comfort Inn JFK Airport and the Brookville Hotel at JFK.

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David Vives Rejoins M&R as Area Sales Manager

David Vives has been appointed area sales manager for the Fairfield by Marriott New York Manhattan/Central Park and the Holiday Inn NYC – Lower East Side.

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Team Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

Milestone anniversaries mark years of dedication, hard work and consistent contributions to the success of a team. This month, three M&R associates are celebrating significant career milestones:

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August Photo Gallery

Meaghan Mathews, third from right, Comfort Inn JFK guest service agent, is honored as the hotel’s Employee of the Quarter for Q1 2025.

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M&R Leadership Attends Breakfast Supporting Acacia Network

M&R last month participated in the annual Julio Martinez Fund Breakfast hosted by Acacia Network, a nonprofit dedicated to delivering affordable housing, health and social services to underserved communities across New York City.

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Antione Holley Promoted to Area Chief Engineer

Antione Holley, a hospitality professional with more than three decades of experience, has been promoted to area chief engineer for the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square South and The Hotel Alameda at the Highline. This promotion reflects Antione’s technical expertise, hands-on leadership style and longstanding commitment to excellence in hotel engineering.

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Celebrating Dads in Style: M&R Hotel Staff Honored on Father’s Day

In a tribute to the fathers who help keep hospitality running smoothly every day, several M&R hotels hosted Father’s Day celebrations last month.

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Introducing Stars of the Week: A New Way to Celebrate M&R Talent

M&R has launched Stars of the Week, an employee recognition program created to highlight the exceptional efforts of team members who go above and beyond each day. From standout guest service to behind-the-scenes support, this initiative ensures that every act of dedication and teamwork has the chance to shine.

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July Photo Gallery

Housekeeping Supervisor Leidy Cordero, center, celebrates her baby shower at the Best Western JFK Airport Hotel, surrounded by her housekeeping team with gifts, food, desserts, and festive games for all to enjoy.

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Cleo Clarke Shares Insights at National Industry Conference

Addressing the 2025 National HR in Hospitality Conference last month in San Diego, Cleo Clarke, vice president of M&R’s People & Culture team, discussed what it takes to run a high-impact HR department with limited resources.

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Comfort Inn JFK Airport Honors Staff at Mother’s Day Celebration

In a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute last month, the Comfort Inn JFK Airport in Jamaica, New York, hosted a special event to honor and recognize the dedication of its housekeeping staff, many of whom are hard-working mothers themselves. The celebration brought smiles, laughter and a strong...

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Associate Spotlight: Ariel Sirett, Engineer at Fairfield New York Manhattan/Central Park

At the Fairfield New York Manhattan/Central Park, exceptional service doesn’t stop at the front desk; it extends behind the scenes, where dedicated team members work tirelessly to ensure every guest enjoys a seamless and comfortable...

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M&R Launches 2025 Employee Engagement Survey

M&R invites all associates to make their voices heard by participating in the Annual Employee Engagement Survey, May 5-18. This is an opportunity for employees to share their feedback, highlight what’s working well and help identify areas where the company can grow and improve.

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Associates Step Up to Serve at New York Soup Kitchen

M&R associates came together in the spirit of service to volunteer at St. Luke’s Soup Kitchen in New York last month. Led by the People & Culture team, this day of giving back marked the beginning of an initiative focused on community engagement and corporate social responsibility.

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Area Director of Sales & Marketing Appointed in Manhattan

Lenna Shaheen, a hospitality professional with over 25 years’ experience in sales, marketing and catering, has been promoted to area director of sales & marketing for the Fairfield New York Manhattan/Central Park and SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square.

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SpringHill Suites Manhattan Times Square Celebrates Anniversary

SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square is proudly celebrating its one-year anniversary as part of the M&R portfolio. Under the leadership of General Manager Tanya Jamal, who also marked her one-year anniversary with the company, the hotel has had an exceptional first year, surpassing expectations and setting a new standard of excellence.

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Team Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

Milestone anniversaries are a time to reflect on the hard work, dedication and passion demonstrated by associates over the years. The following M&R team members are celebrating career milestones:

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Future Hospitality Leaders Go Behind the Scenes

Hilton Garden Inn New York Times Square South and Hotel Alameda at the Highline hosted a group of talented hospitality students from New York University’s Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality last month for an educational and insightful site tour.

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M&R Managers Discuss Guest Satisfaction Best Practices

Last month, M&R’s Hilton and Marriott hotel general managers and operations managers came together for a dynamic front office meeting focused on exchanging best practices for guest satisfaction. Several strategies emerged from the discussions, with a strong emphasis on guest expectations, anticipating guest needs and timely resolution of guest concerns.

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Hotels Add Unique Touches to Enhance the Guest Experience

Making guests feel at home is a top priority, and M&R’s hotels are adding thoughtful, unique touches to their public spaces to elevate the overall guest experience. From cozy cocoa bars to healthier breakfast options, these creative initiatives are bringing joy, convenience and a sense of community to hotel lobbies and dining areas.

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Ibtihal Abdalla: A Rising Star Breaks Down Barriers

In honor of Women’s History Month, M&R Team News is proud to spotlight an inspiring associate whose hard work, dedication and passion have shaped her remarkable journey.

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Anthony ‘Tony’ Cirillo Celebrates Decade of Service to M&R

Anthony “Tony” Cirillo, M&R’s vice president of engineering and construction, recently celebrated a significant milestone: his 10th anniversary with the company. During his decade of service, Tony has played a pivotal role in overseeing the life-safety, maintenance and engineering needs across M&R’s portfolio.

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M&R Honors Top 2024 Performers

M&R honored its top performers for 2024 at an awards ceremony in New York last month including Hotel of the Year, General Manager of the Year, Front-of-the-House Employee of the Year, Back-of-the-House Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Salesperson of the Year and Corporate Employee of the Year.

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Nepali Native Gains Hospitality Experience in Midtown Manhattan

Pemala Sherpa, a recent college graduate from Nepal, is making her dreams come true and gaining valuable hospitality industry experience working as a guest service agent at the Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West.

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Wishing You a Bright and Prosperous New Year

As we step into 2025, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your dedication, passion and commitment made 2024 a remarkable year for M&R Hotel Management. Together, we faced challenges with resilience, achieved new milestones and paved the way for continued success.

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M&R Welcomes Gabir Boyer as Vice President of Finance

Gabir Boyer, a 20-year hospitality veteran with expertise spanning finance, asset management, real estate, private equity and operations, has been appointed M&R vice president of finance. He will oversee financial reporting, treasury management, hotel accounting, financial modeling, compliance and audit functions.

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Brooklyn Team Members Celebrate Five-Year Anniversaries

Two dedicated employees at the Comfort Inn Prospect Park – Brooklyn share a special milestone: Housekeeping Supervisor Filomena Giurbino and Engineer Martin Lovelace recently celebrated their five-year anniversaries with the hotel.

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M&R Hotels Give Back This Holiday Season

With the holiday season in full swing, M&R hotels are embracing the spirit of giving by participating in several charitable initiatives to bring joy and much-needed support to those in need.

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Johnnie Bovain: Spotlight on Guest Service

In the hospitality industry, guest service is the heart of a hotel’s success. Johnnie Bovain, front office supervisor at the Fairfield New York Manhattan/Central Park Hotel, strives to set the standard for exceptional customer service every day when he comes to work.

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Share Your 2025 Resolutions and Goals!

Every so often, M&R Team News will ask you, our readers, to share your opinion in a quick survey then share the results the following month.

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Operations Leader Empowers Hotel Teams to Succeed

Since joining the company in January 2022 as vice president of operations, Erik Anderouard has applied his over 30 years of experience and a global perspective to M&R’s hotel operations in New York City. His insights and leadership style reflect the company’s employee-focused and hands-on hospitality approach.

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Introducing Hotel Alameda, An Oasis at the High Line

The Hotel Alameda at the Highline, the newest hotel in M&R’s portfolio, has new branding, including a fresh logo and marketing designs that reflect the hotel’s connection to Latin American culture and hospitality.

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November is the Time to Focus on Your Benefits

Open enrollment for 2025 health benefits is here through Nov. 22, and M&R associates who are eligible can select the medical, dental and drug coverage that best meets their families’ needs. This year’s open enrollment period offers various resources to help associates make informed choices.

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M&R Welcomes David Chu as Vice President of Sales and Marketing

David Chu, M&R’s new vice president of sales and marketing, is a sales, marketing and operations veteran with over three decades of global hospitality industry experience and a proven track record in branding, digital e-commerce and social media strategies for independent and branded hotels.

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Tarrytown House Estate Featured in Design + Décor Magazine

Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson is featured on the cover of this month’s Design + Décor magazine. This special edition showcases the hotel and the historic drawing room of the property’s Biddle Mansion.

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An Inspiring Journey from Nepal to Times Square

Chhimi Sherpa, an international student from Nepal, is living her dream in New York, working at the SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square to complete her Curricular Practical Training, a work-study program for full-time international students with F-1 visas.

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How M&R’s Hotels Are Strategizing for the Near and Long Term

As autumn approaches, the hospitality industry already is looking ahead to 2025, with hotels across the M&R portfolio refining their sales strategies to capitalize on future opportunities.

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Peter Nichols Leads the Charge in Expanding M&R's Hotel Portfolio

As M&R’s vice president of development, Peter Nichols is spearheading the company’s efforts to significantly expand and diversify M&R’s portfolio of managed hotels.

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M&R Expands with Boutique Hotel in New York’s Chelsea Neighborhood

M&R recently signed an agreement to manage the 56-room Selina Chelsea NYC in the heart of Chelsea’s art and cultural scene and rebrand it as the Hotel Alameda at the High Line.

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M&R’s Internship Program Grooms Future Hoteliers

Internships provide hospitality students a way to gain hands-on experience in the real-world setting of a working hotel. Internships also help them build on their classroom studies and skills. For hotels, internships are a cost-effective way to evaluate and develop potential future employees.

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Christopher Beyer: Making a Mark in Hospitality

As vice president of operations for the Midwest portfolio, Christopher Beyer helps M&R’s managed hotels in Indiana, Missouri, Illinois and West Virginia achieve profitability.

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Tarrytown Team Member Celebrates 40 Years of Service

In an industry where dedication and hard work are essential to achieving guest satisfaction, Hilma Taveras of the Tarrytown House Estate Hotel on the Hudson has shone brightly for four decades.

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Meet the Team Dedicated to Maximizing Revenue

As M&R’s vice president of revenue management, Brian Athas and his dedicated team of six revenue managers have a daily mission: to help hotels make as much money as possible by maximizing revenue.

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Hilton Garden Inn Joplin Employees Rescue Newborn Kittens

A group of employees at the Hilton Garden Inn Joplin in Missouri showed their kindness and compassion when they recently came to the rescue of a mama cat and her newborn kittens.

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Culinary Team Members Promoted at the Tarrytown House Estate Hotel

In a display of hard work and dedication, two employees from the culinary team at the Tarrytown House Estate Hotel on the Hudson have been promoted, marking exciting milestones in their M&R careers.

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M&R Employee Survey Shows a High Level of Staff Engagement

M&R’s annual employee survey, conducted in May, showed that a significant majority of employees feel engaged in their work. More than 80% of respondents reported being either fully or somewhat engaged, slightly higher than last year, while 14% reported being somewhat disengaged and only 4% said they felt totally disengaged.

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The Many Hats of M&R’s Jigs Gandhi

As vice president of procurement, IT & corporate services, Jigs Gandhi wears many hats. While his department is usually known for sourcing everything from guest room soaps to mattresses and furniture, fixtures and equipment, his job goes way beyond purchasing M&R’s goods and services.

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The 24-Hour Pace at JFK Comfort Inn

New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. With more than 38,0000 flights in April 2024 alone and more than 2.7 million passengers using the airport each month, it’s no wonder airport hotels require a unique operation.

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