Hotel MOHI by Appellation, opening in Q2 2026 in downtown Morgan Hill, Calif., proudly announces the appointment of Teresa Chen as general manager. In this role, Chen will oversee all facets of the resort’s performance — including guest experience, operational excellence, and team development for the highly anticipated property, set to debut as the first full-service, luxury boutique resort in Morgan Hill.
“Teresa brings an exceptional depth of operational experience, with a deep understanding of the Bay Area hospitality landscape and what it takes to successfully open and operate chef-driven hotels in highly competitive markets,” said Christopher Hunsberger, Co-Founder and COO of Appellation. “Her leadership across complex openings, food and beverage programs, and large teams makes her an ideal fit to guide Hotel MOHI by Appellation as we prepare for its debut.”
A seasoned hospitality executive with more than a decade of leadership experience across luxury and lifestyle hotel brands, Chen has held senior leadership roles across the Hyatt brand throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and greater Northern California region. Her past experience includes leading Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa, JdV by Hyatt as general manager, along with senior leadership roles across Hotel De Anza, A Destination Hotel by Hyatt and Grand Hyatt at SFO, where she played a key role in the hotel’s 2019 opening. No stranger to the Appellation brand, Chen most recently served as a project manager for the opening of Appellation Healdsburg, which debuted in September 2025.
As general manager of Hotel MOHI by Appellation, Chen will lead the property through its pre-opening phase and beyond, with responsibilities spanning financial and budget oversight, team recruitment and development, cross-departmental alignment, and execution of Appellation’s culinary-first hospitality vision. She will work closely with culinary leadership to bring Hotel MOHI by Appellation’s signature Charlie Palmer restaurant, bars, and gathering spaces to life while cultivating strong relationships within the Morgan Hill community.
“Hotel MOHI by Appellation is an exciting opportunity to introduce a new level of hospitality to Morgan Hill,” said Chen. “I’m honored to be an integral part of Appellation, leading this property from the ground up, and look forward to building a resort that feels deeply connected to its community while delivering thoughtful, memorable experiences for every guest.”
Set to open in Q2 2026, Hotel MOHI by Appellation will redefine luxury hospitality and culinary innovation in Morgan Hill. The visionary project comes from Frank Léal, entrepreneur and founder of Léal Hospitality, in partnership with Appellation, the culinary-first hospitality brand co-founded by Michelin-starred chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger. Designed to celebrate the region’s rich agricultural heritage and vibrant food culture, the resort will feature a 215-seat signature Charlie Palmer restaurant and bar, a terrace pool, a modern spa, and extensive event spaces, including a 7,482-square-foot ballroom accommodating up to 500 guests and an additional 5,224 square feet of dedicated function space. Guests and locals alike will enjoy a dynamic mix of offerings, from a marketplace and flower shop to a café that transitions into a cocktail and wine bar by night, creating a seamless blend of community, cuisine, and contemporary luxury.
“From the outset, our vision for Hotel MOHI by Appellation has been to create a resort that sets a new standard for hospitality in Morgan Hill,” said Frank Léal, founder of Léal Hospitality. “Teresa’s depth of operational leadership and experience guiding complex, chef-driven openings make her the ideal leader to bring the resort to life, and we’re excited to welcome her as we prepare to open this landmark property.”
The hotel’s debut follows a number of recent 2025 openings for Appellation, including Appellation Healdsburg and Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa, as the brand continues to expand its footprint across California and beyond.
