Cape Town’s newest five-star hotel set to open its doors in April 2017, the Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence Cape Town, has announced the appointment of Desmond O’Connor as General Manager. Part of the global Radisson Blu group, the iconic hotel brand driven by innovation and design, Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence Cape Town will offer discerning leisure and corporate travellers a unique guest experience.
O’Connor will be responsible for all operation aspects at the hotel including the efficient and profitable running of the property as well as ensuring that guests receive consistent levels of superior world-class service that is synonymous with the Radisson Blu brand. He is passionate about people, ambition and integrity, and believes that a 360° experience that anticipates guests’ needs is integral to the Radisson Blu experience.
O’Connor started off his hospitality career in 1990 at Sandton Sun and has continued to thrive over the past 27 years in the South African hospitality industry. Prior to joining The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s Radisson Blu in Port Elizabeth in 2014, O’Connor perfected the art of hospitality in various roles, completing a term of four years at the Three Cities Group as well as a spell as the General Manager of Mandela Rhodes Place. O’Connor’s time at the Radisson Blu in Port Elizabeth was spent on growing and establishing the hotel, and increasing revenues and profitability. He also headed up the Commercial Focus Group for the region during this period.
O’Connor is passionate about the hotel industry as it gives him pleasure to see the creation of unique and memorable experiences for his guests. “I have seen the development of this iconic building and its incredible architecture over the past year and look forward to hosting guests in a hotel that is truly reflective of modern guests’ needs.”
