Fancy Getting Into Bed with Virgin Hotels?

Super-Global. Hyper-Local.

Virgin Hotels is part of the Virgin Group, including well-known travel brands like Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Voyages, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Limited Edition, and Virgin Holidays. However, it is also a local brand because it works with local chefs, mixologists, entertainers, designers, and more to showcase a super-global yet hyper-local experience.

A Luxury Lifestyle Brand

Virgin Hotels is a luxury lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service with a personalized hotel experience. Design that is warm, timeless yet modern with a touch of irreverence. Technology that makes guest’s hotel stays easier. A passion for food and beverage with music and culture, fusing with the local landscape and providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike.

Our Audience

The Virgin Hotels audience cuts across business and leisure, spanning several generations that appeal to a young at heart consumer. They desire style and substance and are willing to pay a premium for the Virgin experience. They are uber comfortable with tech and value streamlined experiences. They want to unwind and have a case of wanderlust. They like to feel local and expect to be recognized, and occasionally rock out.

People & Planet

In business, we let our conscience be our guide. What is the point of profit if it comes at a big cost to the environment, our communities, or the welfare of our staff? Let’s do both! From recycling, to building hotels that are LEED certified, to getting involved in our own backyard, we want to do good for people and the planet.

Partner With Virgin

With a highly differentiated hotel proposition, Virgin Hotels offer hotel owners and developers the unique opportunity to join the world’s fastest growing travel platform and one of the most loyal consumer bases globally.  As a leading global lifestyle brand, Virgin Hotels has a captive audience of high income, well-educated, metropolitan professionals for which it has redefined the customer journey from pre-arrival to check-out all while optimizing for a leaner operating mode, creating unique hospitality investment opportunities for the savvy investor.

By leveraging the 53 million Virgin customers, we drive a premium to the lifestyle segment at a lower customer acquisition cost by leveraging our built-in audience. In addition, having built large scale, highly profitable businesses, we bring proven operational expertise to all aspects of our hospitality investment opportunities.

If interested in partnering with Virgin Hotels, please contact us HERE.

Prime Assets in Key Global Markets

Capitalizing on the Virgin brand’s global appeal and cosmopolitan fan base, Virgin Hotels’ is actively looking to expand the portfolio in global getaway cities and resort markets. We are keen to discover prime properties ranging from smaller boutique hotels to larger, luxury assets in appealing destinations that will meet the expectations of travelers in the “creative class” – a culture and mindset that represent the values of our target guests.

Hotel Conversions Made Simple

Virgin Hotels is an ideal brand option for your hotel when it’s time to step up your game. Here’s what it takes.

– Prime location near corporate or cultural demand drivers.

– Ground floor and rooftop spaces for Virgin’s signature F&B concepts; Commons Club, The Pool Club, & Funny Library Coffee Shop

– While undertaking the PIP/conversion plan, Virgin Hotels has the flexibility to act as a white-label if applicable.

– We can operate and develop Virgin Hotels Residences in conjunction with a Virgin Hotel in key markets.

–  Virgin Hotels Operations team is experienced and equipped to take over hotel operations on day one! We have a combined 200+ years in the hospitality business with a strong record in profitable hotel operations, innovation, and brand development. Our team utilizes their expertise in both conversion and pre-opening to ensure a successful opening. Click here to learn more about Our Operations Team Click here to learn more about Our Operations Team

– Virgin Hotels experienced design and technical service team will provide developers and owners with a clear process which helps ensure a conversion that is on brand, on time, and on budget. Virgin Hotels Design team is dedicated to help owners build, convert, or renovate existing and new properties. The Design team provides input on the architects and interior designers for each development while focusing on maximizing the Owner’s return on investment and assistance through the entire pre-opening process. Click here to learn more about our Design & Technical Service Team

As Chief Development Officer, Greg is responsible for setting and implementing Virgin Hotels’ global growth strategy, identifying opportunities in key markets, and structuring transactions that work for Virgin Hotels and its Owner/Developer partners. Greg spearheads Virgin Hotels entrance into the branded residential business. He works in tandem with the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee, and the Development team.

Before joining Virgin Hotels, Greg served as Senior Vice President, Development at Accor, where he led development for North and Central America as well as the development of luxury and upscale brands in South America.  Greg’s tenure at Accor also included leading the global residential business.  Prior to Accor, Greg led development for the Americas and the Global Residential business at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI). Greg earned his Master of Business Administration from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Alex oversees Virgin Hotels expansion in Europe and will work closely with capital partners and strategic investors to acquire new and existing properties in cities across Europe. Hoping to acquire two or three properties per year, the brand is keeping options open, targeting cities from London, Paris and Rome to less-predictable locations like Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Alex’s most recently served as Vice President of Development for YOTEL, focusing on Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Prior to this, he was Director of Montpelier Hotels Ltd., a hospitality investment and corporate finance advisory firm and Director of Development for Bridgehouse Capital, a private equity company with total assets in excess of $1 billion. More recently, he spent five years with Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. where he managed more than $500 million of acquisition, financing and dispositions of non-core assets. He successfully executed third party hotel management agreements for OEH in London and North American (Cadogan Hotel, Durley House and The Inn at Perry Cabin).

James is responsible for delivering Virgin Hotels’ global growth, operational excellence, multi-award-winning customer experience, and unique culture. With over 35 years of hospitality experience, James began his career in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland, followed by ten years in London, England, including executive roles with ITT Sheraton Corporation and the Luxury Collection. His career then led him to the United States, where he held prestigious General Manager roles at the St. Regis Hotel in Houston and the Montage Laguna Beach. Since 2008, he served as Executive Vice President, Operations for Montage International, where he oversaw all aspects of operations for the award-winning Montage and Pendry Hotel brands seven hotels and resorts, including owner relations, culture development, and sales and marketing.

James has served on many not-for-profit and hospitality industry boards and committees, including Chair of Visit CA, Preferred Hotels and Resorts Advisory Board, and Forbes Travel Standards Advisory Committee.

As Vice President Creative Director Teddy oversees the vision and execution for how the Virgin Hotels brand comes to life in the hospitality design environment. Teddy spent seven years as the senior director of design and development at Morgans Hotel Group, where he focused on the expansion of the Delano, Mondrian and Hudson Hotel brands. On the agency side, he began his design career at Skidmore Owings & Merrill in New York where he focused on hospitality interiors projects for brands such as W Hotels and Resorts, Capella and The James, to name a few. Most recently Teddy worked for Gensler in New York as the Regional Director of hospitality interiors. He was responsible for establishing a hospitality interiors studio and developing the regional practice. Teddy has a Masters of Architecture, a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the University of Idaho.

Innovation in Hospitality Podcast with Teddy Mayer – Listen Now

Liza Stone joined Virgin Hotels as General Counsel in April 2022. As the chief legal officer of the company, Liza oversees Virgin Hotel’s domestic and international legal affairs, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, labor and employment, intellectual property, and litigation matters.

Liza brings to Virgin Hotels over 25 years of legal experience in domestic and cross-border hospitality transactions. Prior to joining Virgin Hotels, Liza was a senior member of the Global Hospitality Group at Sidley Austin LLP, an internationally recognized law firm. At Sidley, Liza represented institutional owners, investors, and lenders as well as major hotel brands in connection with acquisitions and dispositions, financings, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions for hospitality assets.

Prior to Sidley, Liza worked at internationally recognized law firms, and served as Associate General Counsel of the Real Estate Healthcare Lending Group of a publicly traded commercial finance company.

She is also fluent in Japanese and Spanish.

Harris is responsible for the brand’s financial impact as it relates to growth investments and new management contracts. Additionally, White helps to set the growth agenda and outline the financial vision for the Virgin Hotels brand. Before joining Virgin Hotels, White held a leadership role at Sage Hospitality, where he oversaw all aspects of finance, accounting and technology functions for Sage Hospitality’s 75 hotels and 12 restaurant concepts nationwide. White has worked with a number of established brands such as The Wellbridge Company, Morgan Keegan and Company, and more. He earned his dual Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management.

As Vice President of Development Services, Leslie is responsible for garnering partner relationships with developers, engineers, architects, designers, and more.  Prior to Virgin Hotels, Leslie served as a Development Services Consultant at Montage International. From 2017 – 2020, she worked for Canyon Ranch Wellness Resorts, within the Design and Development team starting as the Global Director to then later become Vice President of the division. Shammas provided design and construction leadership for all the architectural and interior renovations at the existing properties, while simultaneously lending her support on new development and acquisitions for proposed properties.

As VP of Development, Tim brings more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and real estate and leads new management and investment opportunities for Virgin Hotels.  Tim previously lent his expertise to Choice Hotels International as regional vice president of real estate and franchise development, as well as Gatehouse Capital, where he served as vice president of real estate. Most recently, he worked as vice president of investments for NewcrestImage.

James is responsible for delivering Virgin Hotels’ global growth, operational excellence, multi-award-winning customer experience, and unique culture. With over 35 years of hospitality experience, James began his career in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland, followed by ten years in London, England, including executive roles with ITT Sheraton Corporation and the Luxury Collection. His career then led him to the United States, where he held prestigious General Manager roles at the St. Regis Hotel in Houston and the Montage Laguna Beach. Since 2008, he served as Executive Vice President, Operations for Montage International, where he oversaw all aspects of operations for the award-winning Montage and Pendry Hotel brands seven hotels and resorts, including owner relations, culture development, and sales and marketing.

James has served on many not-for-profit and hospitality industry boards and committees, including Chair of Visit CA, Preferred Hotels and Resorts Advisory Board, and Forbes Travel Standards Advisory Committee.

Doug Carrillo, Chief Marketing Officer, leads the brand marketing, sales, and revenue management for Virgin Hotels. Doug has been with Virgin Hotels since its launch in 2015 and was instrumental in helping to create the brand. He has more than 38 years of experience in the hospitality industry. His background includes senior executive-level sales, marketing, and revenue management positions with Morgan’s Hotels Group, Desires Hotels, and Carnival Hotels and Casino.

In his capacity at Morgan Hotels Group, he was directly responsible for overseeing the sales, marketing, and revenue management disciplines for Delano, Shore Club, and Mondrian South Beach. Before joining Morgan’s Hotel Group, Doug was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and a partner at Desires Hotels. In 2002, he co-developed Desires Hotels and helped grow the portfolio from 4 to 35 modern boutique hotels.

Throughout his career, he has developed robust sales and marketing platforms and solutions for e-commerce and revenue management that have led to significant REVPAR premiums. In 2009 he received the prestigious “Adrian Award” from HSMAI for website design and was honored as one of the “Top Twenty-Five Sales & Marketing Minds.”

Doug graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University.

Wendy Mertz, Chief Information Officer, leads the global strategic technology direction for Virgin Hotels.  Wendy joined Virgin Hotels in January, 2023.

Prior to joining Virgin Hotels, Wendy was the Vice President, Information Technology for non-gaming systems at Seminole Hard Rock Support Services, the IT business partner for the multibillion-dollar global entertainment company that includes hotels, casinos, live music venues, cafes and corporate business units. She moved into the job after having served for 17 years in various technology positions at Hard Rock International and holding IT leadership positions at Walt Disney Company and Disney Cruise Line.  During her tenure at Hard Rock, which has properties in 65 countries, Wendy was responsible for several multimillion-dollar system implementation and conversion projects. In addition, she developed and implemented Hard Rock’s global technology standards and was a sought out thought leader for the organization.

Wendy has served on the board of Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) and was part of the executive leadership team that facilitated the merger of HTNG with the American Hotel & Lodging Association. She continues to serve on the HTNG’s Executive Leadership Group at AHLA, and she is actively involved in the women’s mentorship programs.  She was recognized by the Rochester Institute of Technology for her contributions to the hospitality industry and featured as one of Hospitality Upgrade’s Third Annual Technology Rock Stars.

As Chief Development Officer, Greg is responsible for setting and implementing Virgin Hotels’ global growth strategy, identifying opportunities in key markets, and structuring transactions that work for Virgin Hotels and its Owner/Developer partners. Greg spearheads Virgin Hotels entrance into the branded residential business. He works in tandem with the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee, and the Development team.

Before joining Virgin Hotels, Greg served as Senior Vice President, Development at Accor, where he led development for North and Central America as well as the development of luxury and upscale brands in South America.  Greg’s tenure at Accor also included leading the global residential business.  Prior to Accor, Greg led development for the Americas and the Global Residential business at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI). Greg earned his Master of Business Administration from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Johanna Kent is a highly accomplished human resources executive with over 27 years of experience in fostering exceptional employee experiences for some of the world’s most recognized brands. Her career has been marked by achievements in talent acquisition, leadership development, and building inclusive workplace cultures. In her previous role, at Virgin Orbit, she led the People & Culture team through a 40% growth in headcount and successfully navigated complex challenges such as a SPAC transaction. Kent is passionate about aligning HR strategies with business objectives and creating positive work environments where employees can thrive.

Leo Rotshteyn brings over 30 years of experience driving revenue growth and optimizing distribution strategies. His expertise spans revenue management, marketing, sales, and e-commerce. Most recently, at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, he managed a complex portfolio of 50+ hotels & resorts, consistently exceeding annual revenue goals. Rotshteyn is known for his data-driven approach, sharp business acumen, and ability to identify and implement diverse strategies that maximize revenue potential and increase market share.

Harris is responsible for the brand’s financial impact as it relates to growth investments and new management contracts. Additionally, White helps to set the growth agenda and outline the financial vision for the Virgin Hotels brand. Before joining Virgin Hotels, White held a leadership role at Sage Hospitality, where he oversaw all aspects of finance, accounting and technology functions for Sage Hospitality’s 75 hotels and 12 restaurant concepts nationwide. White has worked with a number of established brands such as The Wellbridge Company, Morgan Keegan and Company, and more. He earned his dual Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management.

Liza Stone joined Virgin Hotels as General Counsel in April 2022. As the chief legal officer of the company, Liza oversees Virgin Hotel’s domestic and international legal affairs, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, labor and employment, intellectual property, and litigation matters.

Liza brings to Virgin Hotels over 25 years of legal experience in domestic and cross-border hospitality transactions. Prior to joining Virgin Hotels, Liza was a senior member of the Global Hospitality Group at Sidley Austin LLP, an internationally recognized law firm. At Sidley, Liza represented institutional owners, investors, and lenders as well as major hotel brands in connection with acquisitions and dispositions, financings, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions for hospitality assets.

Prior to Sidley, Liza worked at internationally recognized law firms, and served as Associate General Counsel of the Real Estate Healthcare Lending Group of a publicly traded commercial finance company.

She is also fluent in Japanese and Spanish.

As Vice President Creative Director Teddy oversees the vision and execution for how the Virgin Hotels brand comes to life in the hospitality design environment. Teddy spent seven years as the senior director of design and development at Morgans Hotel Group, where he focused on the expansion of the Delano, Mondrian and Hudson Hotel brands. On the agency side, he began his design career at Skidmore Owings & Merrill in New York where he focused on hospitality interiors projects for brands such as W Hotels and Resorts, Capella and The James, to name a few. Most recently Teddy worked for Gensler in New York as the Regional Director of hospitality interiors. He was responsible for establishing a hospitality interiors studio and developing the regional practice. Teddy has a Masters of Architecture, a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the University of Idaho.

Innovation in Hospitality Podcast with Teddy Mayer – Listen Now

Jason Doebrich is the Vice President of Information Technology with more than 20 years of leadership excellence in information technology services, including executive management, compliance, system architecture and project management. Based in Miami, he is responsible for the brand’s continued growth and innovation in the technology space.

Prior to Virgin Hotels, Jason served 12 years as Director of Information Technology and Telecommunications for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. In the last year of his tenure, Doebrich served as Corporate Director of Information Technology and Telecommunications for brand’s America’s region, which included six hotels over three continents. In this position, Jason led a large team managing IT support for operating hotels as well as leading development projects and the opening of several world class properties. Before his 13 years with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Doebrich oversaw technology for Morgan’s Hotel group where he served as Regional Director of Technology.

Doebrich holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Information Systems. He is a past president and current board member of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) South Florida Chapter and a current board member for the University of South Florida’s Cyber security for Executive Certificate Program.

As Vice President of Sales, Maya is responsible for the global sales effort for Virgin Hotels and directing the Virgin Hotels Global Sales Team strategy and execution in the luxury leisure, group and business travel segments to drive revenue growth in its portfolio of hotels.

Maya has over 20 years of global sales experience, most recently as the Director of Brand Sales for EDITION Hotels.​ In this role, Maya was responsible for the brand’s global travel industry sales strategy, overseeing strategic partnerships and optimizing sales performance for 13 hotels worldwide. During her 12 years at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Maya held the roles of Executive Director of Leisure Sales and Director of Global Sales, leading various sales initiatives for the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 700 distinctive hotels. In addition to her sales responsibilities, she supported cross-functional initiatives that were instrumental in the company’s success and strategic growth.​

David Moth started his hospitality career in Australia sorting linen in the basement of a hotel – as part of his high school work experience program – and immediately fell in love with the hotel business. After graduating from Ryde College in Sydney, David left Australia to broaden his horizons. That ongoing adventure has had him working in the UK for Trusthouse Forte, Virgin, and Malmaison; the Caribbean where he was Assistant Manager at Richard Branson’s Necker Island, Resident Manager at Rosewood’s Little Dix Bay, Resident Manager at Jalousie Plantation Resort and Spa, and General Manager of Nisbet Plantation Beach Club.

In 2001, David moved to the United States to manage the famed Tides Hotel in Miami Beach before spending over six years with Desires Hotels/Trust Hospitality in several General Manager roles including the Sagamore, the Strand and the Betsy hotels in Miami Beach, then becoming Vice President of Operations overseeing all hotels in the Trust Hospitality portfolio until coming back to the Virgin family as VP of Operations at Virgin Hotels.

David’s Blog Post – Read More

Todd is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 25 years of hospitality experience. In his role, he oversees the day-to-day operations and works closely with the senior leadership team to develop and execute the strategic plan to drive growth and profitability. Most recently, Todd was the Managing Director of 1 Hotel Toronto where he was responsible for the opening of Toronto’s newest luxury hotel overseeing all aspects of pre-opening construction, operations, and training, including developing cutting edge sustainability initiatives for the eco-conscious brand.

Previously he was Regional Vice President and General Manager of Delano for SBE and oversaw the other SBE portfolio of hotels in Miami. Prior to SBE Todd was General Manager at Montage Laguna Beach and Montage Beverly Hills, both Forbes five-star hotels, and has also held leadership roles at Loews and Starwood Hotels. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where he holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Communications and Finance.

As Corporate Director of Operations, Martin is responsible for ensuring an enhanced guest experience that provides elevated hospitality services across the entire Virgin Hotels portfolio, crafting innovative strategies to excel the performance of the Virgin Hotels brand.

Prior to Virgin Hotels, Martin led high-performing teams at ten Four Seasons hotels and resorts in seven countries: Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, and St. Kitts-Nevis.

As Vice President of Operations Finance, Rene is responsible for managing a group of property-based Finance Directors and supervising various crucial tasks such as strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and more for the Virgin Hotels North America portfolio.

With more than fifteen years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rene has worked at prominent establishments like AKA Hotels & Hotel Residences, HEI Hotels & Resorts, and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. He obtained both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in finance from Florida International University.

As Corporate Director of Talent Acquisition for Virgin Hotels, Daniela leads the development and implementation of talent acquisition strategies for the corporate office and United States properties.

Fostering close collaboration with senior leadership and hiring managers throughout our company, Daniela ensures our recruitment efforts seamlessly align with the company’s business goals; her focus is attracting and retaining top-tier talent in the fast-paced world of hospitality.

Daniela has over a decade of Human Resources and Recruitment experience in luxury and lifestyle hotel brands. Daniela began her career with Four Seasons specializing in recruitment and opened properties in Orlando, Miami, Boston, and Mexico. Daniela has also held previous positions such as Human Resources Manager at PS, Human Resources Manager (Head of HR) at Coldwater Creek, and Assistant Director of HR at The Miami Beach EDITION.

Daniela holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Florida Gulf Coast University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Florida International University, where she received the Student Excellence Award from her cohort and graduated in the top 10% of her class.

In his role as Corporate Director of Marketing, Nikolai leads a team of property-based Marketing Directors and oversees strategic planning, marketing communications, public relations, and more for Virgin Hotels. Previously Nikolai worked with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott marketing the W Hotels and St. Regis brands.

Jodi is responsible for leveraging revenue opportunities and analyzing current financial initiatives across the brand while working with the commercial sales teams at all hotels. She formulates targeted incentive plans and KPI’s to meet company goals, while nurturing current relationships with high profile clientele to maintain consistent brand trust and loyalty. Prior to joining Virgin Hotels, Forslund was the Vice President of Marketing and Development at Forssa Group. She has also held previous positions such as Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Benchmark Hospitality International, and Regional Sales Director at MTM Luxury Lodging. Jodi has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Economics from The University of Washington.