Australia’s First Andaz Gold Coast Names Leadership Team Ahead of Luxury Hotel Opening

Andaz Gold Coast is preparing for its Australian debut with an experienced leadership team now in place. As Australia’s first Andaz hotel moves towards opening later this year, senior appointments have been made across general management, sales and marketing, food and beverage, and brand marketing.

The appointments matter because the new luxury lifestyle property will be introduced to a competitive Gold Coast hospitality industry under leaders with extensive international and domestic experience. With expertise spanning Hyatt brands, luxury resorts, restaurants and lifestyle hotels, the team will guide the positioning, commercial strategy and overall guest experience of the highly anticipated property.

Experienced Hyatt leadership to guide the Australian debut

Leadership of Andaz Gold Coast has been placed in the hands of Saraid Carey, who has been appointed general manager ahead of the opening. More than 22 years of leadership experience at Hyatt Hotels Corporation will be brought to the role.

Carey’s career has developed across Australia and the Asia Pacific, with experience in Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Bangkok and Koh Samui. Leadership positions have been held across Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place before her move to Andaz.

Her appointment brings Hyatt brand knowledge to Australia’s first Andaz hotel at a stage of its launch. Carey was also named Australian General Manager of the Year by the HM Awards.

The experience being brought into the property will support the operational direction of a new luxury lifestyle hotel in Australia and add Hyatt leadership to the Gold Coast hospitality industry.

Commercial strategy placed under an experienced hospitality leader

Jane Strangman has been appointed director of sales & marketing, with responsibility for commercial strategy, positioning and demand generation. Her remit will cover leisure, corporate, group and event business as Andaz enters the Australian market.

More than 30 years of experience across luxury hotels, resorts, travel and tourism will be brought to the role. Strangman previously spent eight years as director of sales & marketing at Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast, where she led a team covering sales, marketing, catering and revenue management.

Senior roles have also been held with The Westin Sydney, Sydney Marriott Hotel and Radisson Hotels Australia Asia Pacific. That background gives the new luxury hotel on the Gold Coast leadership experience spanning local and wider hospitality markets.

As Andaz Gold Coast approaches launch, its commercial positioning will be guided by destination and sector knowledge.

Restaurants bars and social spaces assigned to Steven Rhodes

The food and beverage direction of the property will be overseen by Steven Rhodes, who has been appointed director of food & beverage. Responsibility will include Nove Restaurant & Bar, Vista Lounge, Verde Bar and the Andaz Pool Club.

Hospitality and food and beverage experience has been accumulated through senior leadership positions with The Star Gold Coast, RACV Royal Pines Resort and Apollo Group at Howard Smith Wharves. Experience has also been gained with ARIA Restaurants in Brisbane and Sydney.

The appointment places the dining and social venues of the luxury hotel on the Gold Coast under a leader whose background covers resorts and restaurant operations.

Food, beverage and social spaces form part of the property’s hospitality offering. Their oversight will sit alongside the opening preparations being completed before Australia’s first Andaz hotel opens later this year.

International brand experience to shape marketing expression

Stacey Plaine has joined as marketing specialist and will lead the hotel’s brand and marketing expression. More than 14 years of international experience across Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Maldives and Japan will be brought to the role.

Her career has included marketing positions with JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels and Mondrian Hotels, together with strategic consultancy work. At Andaz Gold Coast, marketing will be used to connect the property with the culture, experiences and communities shaping the Gold Coast.

The appointment adds luxury and lifestyle marketing experience to the leadership structure being established before opening. It also strengthens the team responsible for introducing a luxury lifestyle hotel in Australia.

With operations, commercial strategy, food and beverage, and brand marketing assigned to experienced specialists, the property is being prepared for entry into the Gold Coast hospitality industry later this year.

Conclusion

Andaz Gold Coast is moving closer to opening with an experienced leadership structure established across its key operational and commercial functions. Saraid Carey will lead the hotel, while Jane Strangman will oversee sales and marketing, Steven Rhodes will direct food and beverage operations, and Stacey Plaine will shape brand marketing.

Together, their careers span Hyatt properties, luxury resorts, major restaurant groups and international lifestyle brands. As the luxury lifestyle hotel in Australia prepares for launch, the appointments provide clear responsibility across management, demand generation, dining and branding, supporting the planned introduction of the property to the Gold Coast market later.