Veteran Caribbean hotel industry professional Karen Hana has been appointed General Manager of one the newest hotels in the Choice Hotels International Caribbean portfolio on the island of St. Maarten.
Hana, who was most recently Executive Director of the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, takes charge of the recently renovated Alegria, a distinctive 78-room resort on the southern coast of St. Maarten. Alegria joins Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection, a global portfolio of independent boutique-style hotels and resorts.
A graduate of The Hague Hotel Management School in the Netherlands, with 22 years of experience working in the St. Maarten tourism sector, Hana – a Dutch native – grew up and worked in Mexico and the Caribbean. She has extensive experience working at resorts ranging from all-inclusive to timeshare, from boutique hotels to large chain hotels.
“Karen is a consummate professional and we expect her leadership to translate into the positioning of Alegria as a leading hotel and guest experience on the island,” said Fadi Salem, Chief Operations Officer of Alegria.
Hana welcomed the opportunity to make a difference in the island she now calls home. “We look forward to welcoming many more guests to Alegria,” she said, explaining that the hotel has benefited from a thorough refresh.
Hana reported that the response to the hotel has been encouraging. “With new bedding, new amenities and with the Ascend Hotel Collection, guests are just thrilled,” she said.
Overlooking the ocean at Sunset Beach and adjacent to Maho beach, Alegria is an oasis where guests can immerse themselves in world-famous white sand beaches or join the visitors from around the world who flock to Maho Beach to experience the close-up excitement of jets soaring overhead as they approach Princess Juliana International Airport. In contrast, the night skies remain clear, as the airport restricts flights after 9 p.m.
The hotel is a short taxi ride from Philipsburg, capital of the island’s Dutch side, and numerous beaches.
Nearby attractions include the Loterie Farm Nature Reserve nestled in the hillside of Pic Paradis on the French side of St. Martin which offers dining, hiking and zip-lining over the treetop canopy. Guests can also make day-trips to neighboring islands, visit Fort Amsterdam, a historic site that was built by Dutch settlers in 1631 and renowned for its architectural ruins and spectacular views, and enjoy the wide variety of culinary offerings. on an island dubbed the Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean.
Alegria offers several spacious room types that are fully equipped with upscale amenities and balcony views of the gardens or turquoise Caribbean waters. The two-bedroom penthouse features more than 2,000 square feet of space, king beds, two and a half baths, a lounge area with sofa bed, designer kitchen, and a washer and dryer.
The hotel also has two pools with a swim-up bar, and duty-free shopping is just a short walk away. Excellent dining options, casinos, nightclubs and an 18-hole championship golf course are also nearby.
The Choice Hotels International Caribbean portfolio currently includes hotels in the Caribbean destinations of Aruba, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.
