AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise, the first hotel in Sunrise in 15 years and the first AC Hotel brand in Broward County, has appointed Michael Lauria as general manager and Christine Caraccia as director of sales and marketing.
The pair will oversee the launch of the eight-story, 174-room hotel when it opens in March 2021. The hotel is located just steps from the iconic Sawgrass Mills Mall shopping center, one of the largest outlet and value retail shopping destinations in the US.
“It is our pleasure to have two prominent industry leaders opening the AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise, where their hospitality expertise and deep knowledge of the South Florida market will position the hotel as best in class,” said Ken Polo, regional vice president of Concord Hospitality, the hotel’s management company. “Their hard work, dedication and leadership have prepared the hotel and staff for a successful opening. We know they will thrive in their respective roles and provide the unparalleled service both customers and employees expect and deserve.”
Lauria brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience to AC Hotels. In his role, Lauria oversees all aspects of property management including financial performance, guest satisfaction and day-to-day operations. A loyal member of the Concord Hospitality family for five years, he most recently served as general manager of Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Beach Surfside and general manager at Hyatt Place Miami Airport – EAST. Prior to joining the Concord Hospitality team, Lauria served as hotel manager at Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Weston, Fla. In addition, he previously held multiple positions over a 22- year span with Hyatt Hotels in full-service hotels across North America to include Grand Hyatt New York, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Va, Hyatt Regency Austin, Texas, Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport, Hyatt Regency Newport, R.I. He also spent three years outside of the US at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Spa. Lauria is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J., where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the Concord Hospitality team for the last five years and I look forward to continuing to uphold Concord’s core values and deliver memorable experiences for our
guests each time they stay with us,” said Lauria. “Christine and I are looking forward to serving the community and bringing our shared vision of this hotel to life.”
With more than 15 years of hospitality experience, Christine Caraccia is responsible for hotel sales revenue including guest rooms, meeting space and banquets; developing and implementing marketing programs; overseeing the sales team; and ensuring top-notch client service. A Los Angeles native, she moved to South Florida in 2015. Preceding her current role, Caraccia was the director of national accounts for Fontainebleau Miami Beach for nearly three years. Her past engagements include group account manager at W Fort Lauderdale, senior sales manager at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza and group sales manager at W South Beach. She also served as senior sales executive at Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa in California, where she started her career. A graduate of California State University Northridge, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management and a minor in Marketing and is fluent in Armenian.
About AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise
Marriott International and Concord Hospitality along with Simon®, a global leader in premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, brings AC Hotel by Marriott brand to Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the United States, in March 2021. The eight-story, 174-room hotel boasts a modern design with a European vibe and contemporary art by local artists; the signature AC Lounge featuring hand- crafted cocktails, craft brews and Spanish-style tapas; Horizon, an expansive 8th-floor rooftop bar; 1,675 square-feet of meeting space, and is ideally located adjacent to Sawgrass Mills outlet shopping center as well as the new Colonnade luxury outlets, with easy access to Fort Lauderdale attractions and beaches just 20 minutes away. The hotel is located at 1870 Sawgrass Mills Cir, Sunrise, FL 33323. For more information or reservations, visit www.marriott.com or call 954.846.0400. Get social at @ACHotelSawgrassMills.
About AC Hotels
AC Hotels includes over 155 design-led hotels in more than 20 countries and territories. At AC Hotels, every moment has been designed, refined, crafted, and considered to create a comfortable, elevated, and unobtrusive experience that lets guests maximize their travels. The brand focuses on details and experiences that genuinely matter to provide a seamless, intuitive experience that lets travelers live life by design, not by default. The hotels feature purposefully designed signature spaces, most notably the AC Lounge®, which invite locals and travelers alike to collaborate in style during the day or enjoy handcrafted cocktails and tapas at night and the AC Kitchen, offering guests a European-inspired breakfast. The sophisticated AC Guest Rooms and public spaces feature sleek furnishings,
About Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company
As an award-winning hotel development and management company, Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company has spent the last three decades successfully growing the company’s portfolio, which includes premium-branded properties across the United States and Canada. Its modern lifestyle holdings embody the next generation of boutique hotels, distinctive restaurants, stylish bar concepts and award-winning rooftops. Each venue has a story to tell. Concord’s commitment to sourcing local, authentic products ensures that each property is infused with the vibe and energy of its geographical location. The company believes that its people are its greatest strength. With the brightest talent, the most innovative processes and a commitment to giving back to the communities where associates live and work, Concord Hospitality is committed to being a great place to work for all. Learn more at concordhotels.com.
About Simon
Simon is a global leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations and an S&P 100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our properties across North America, Europe, and Asia provide community gathering places for millions of people every day and generate billions in annual sales. For more information, visit simon.com.
About Norwich Partners
Norwich Partners is a Florida-based developer of and investor in commercial real estate, primarily hotels in the northeastern U.S. and Florida. Norwich Partners is regarded as one of the top hotel developers in the United States. Norwich and its associates have been nominated and/or won numerous awards including Marriott’s Inner Circle Award, Marriott’s Horizon Award, Design of the Year, General Manager of the Year, Opening Hotel of the Year, Renovation of the Year and USA Today Reader’s Choice Best New Hotel, as well as a multiple winner of Marriott’s Platinum Award. Norwich Partners was founded and capitalized in 2003, formalizing a long-standing business relationship between three-founding members.
