Located in the heart of Atlanta’s sophisticated Buckhead Village, Thompson Buckhead will be led by General Manager Lukus Grace and Director of Sales and Marketing Jennifer Dawood. The respected duo will bring to life the lifestyle brand’s 201-room property, which is expected to welcome its first guests in November.
Grace’s hospitality career has taken him across the globe. After getting his start in food and beverage in Hollywood, CA, he joined Capella Hotels and Resorts in Singapore in 2013 as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage, before moving to the brand’s corporate division in Washington, DC. He was later Director of Food and Beverage for The St. Regis Atlanta, during which time the property was recognized as the number one hotel in the city by U.S. News & World Report. Most recently, he was Hotel Manager of Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, overseeing all room and food and beverage operations. He now makes his return to Atlanta, where he will look after all aspects of Thompson Buckhead’s opening and then daily operations, ensuring the hotel brand’s debut in the market is a success. Grace earned a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and specialization in international business.
“My career path has specifically trained me for this role,” said Grace. “The Thompson Hotels brand offers a refined, yet edgy take on modern luxury and my experience at the upper echelon of luxury hotel offerings has given me perspective on what’s been done, and what I can do differently in this category. Grace continued, “This is a brand that brings dynamic experiences into the hotel’s everyday ethos, and I will certainly embrace that at Thompson Buckhead. The hotel will be a reflection of the city’s cultural and culinary prowess, catering to the local community and visitors who want to experience the very best Atlanta has to offer and I’m so excited to be a part of that.”
On the sales and marketing front, Dawood brings more than 20 years of industry knowledge and experience to the Thompson Buckhead team. She has held multiple sales and marketing positions with properties in Atlanta, including Omni Hotels and W Atlanta Downtown. Most recently, she was the Director of Marketing for W Hotels of Atlanta, which includes Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead properties. A results-driven creative, Dawood has repeatedly been successful in developing teams and delivering innovative strategies. Her expertise in lifestyle hospitality, local partnerships, and events will parlay into her new role for the stylish and notably social, in-demand property. Dawood earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from San Francisco State University.
ABOUT THOMPSON BUCKHEAD
Located in the heart of Buckhead Village, one of Atlanta’s premier destinations for shopping, dining, entertainment and business, Thompson Buckhead will offer the ideal balance between innovation and the traditional classic beauty of the neighborhood in which it resides. Catering to both leisure and business travelers, Thompson Buckhead will feature 201 luxury guest rooms, including 40 suites with floor-to-
ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the city. The hotel’s rooftop will offer skyline views, a pool, private cabanas, and a chic member’s-only private club. Dirty Rascal, a signature Italian American restaurant from Executive Chef Josh Hopkins and celebrated local Consulting Chef Todd Ginsberg, will welcome up to 140 guests for intimate or group dining experiences. More than 7,000 square feet of flexible event space will feature natural light, an outdoor terrace with a fireplace, and a private pre- function space. The property will also includes a fitness center, lobby café bar and retail spaces.
ABOUT THOMPSON HOTELS
Founded in 2001, Thompson Hotels is an award-winning boutique lifestyle hospitality brand with a collection of stunning, dynamic properties. Each Thompson Hotels urban and resort location offers a carefully layered environment that molds into its surrounding community. Guests are provided tailored stays with connections to world-class culinary offerings, arts and entertainment, and groundbreaking design. The Thompson Hotels portfolio of lifestyle hotels includes The Beekman and Gild Hall in New York City; Thompson Washington D.C.; Thompson Nashville; Thompson Seattle; Thompson Chicago; The Cape in Los Cabos, Mexico and Thompson Playa del Carmen in Riviera Maya, Mexico; Thompson Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast; and the new Texas hotels, Thompson Dallas and Thompson San Antonio. Hotels currently under development include Texas properties in Austin and Houston, as well as Thompson Denver, Thompson Buckhead, and Thompson Savannah. Follow @ThompsonHotels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and updates. For more information, please visit www.thompsonhotels.com.
