Quest makes key hires for first UK aparthotel

UK: Quest Apartment Hotels has appointed Paris D’Allessandro as its first UK GM and Kerry Smith as its Liverpool-based business development manager.

The appointments were announced as the company gears up for the opening of the 100-key Quest Liverpool City Centre this September, its first in the UK.

An experienced GM, D’Allessandro has worked in the hospitality industry for 18 years, 15 of them in Liverpool. His experience spans handling property openings for leading brands including Premier Inn, Jurys Inn, Days Inn, and latterly, Epic Apart Hotels where he spent four years as group GM.

Smith brings 16 years of international sales to her new role. With considerable local experience of introducing new brands to the city, she has previously worked with Cycas Hospitality, the management company for Quest Liverpool City Centre, and was responsible for bringing the first Staybridge Suites, Hotel Indigo, Days Inn and Pullman Hotel to Liverpool.

In addition to the 200 jobs created during the construction of its first aparthotel property in the UK, the £10 million Quest investment will create 25 part-time and full-time positions in the Liverpool area once the six-storey site opens its doors. These positions will include guest services, housekeeping and maintenance.

Craig Ryan, chief brand officer at Quest Apartment Hotels, said: “As an employer, Quest seeks to partner with ambitious, career-focused people who’ll make our guests feel at home – whether they are staying with us for a couple of days or many months. Paris and Kerry are passionate about achieving the standards that will inspire loyalty from both staff and guests, and we are confident that together they will help us put Quest well and truly on the UK business travellers’ map. The work we are doing to build a great team in Liverpool demonstrates our commitment to the UK market and to a remarkable city with a rich trading, cultural and sporting heritage.”

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“I’ve had a wonderful day here because we are seeing a good mix of segments here from across real estate – developers, short-term rental operators, hotel operators, coliving and student housing operators. So it’s been great to meet people from and learn about different industries – I think that’s been really valuable.”

Athul Mohan, market manager, MEA and Asia, and global franchise partnerships, Pricelabs

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