Rik Blyth Named General Manager of La Fonda on The Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. June 28, 2017

SANTA FE, N.M. June 28, 2017 — La Fonda on the Plaza today announced the appointment of hospitality industry leader Rik Blyth as its General Manager.

Blyth brings to La Fonda many years of domestic and international luxury resort and hotel top management experience. He has served as General Manager for world-class resort properties across the Caribbean, including Rose Hall in Jamaica, Biras Creek in the British Virgin Islands, and Caneel Bay in the US Virgin Islands. He has also served as President of the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association. In addition, he has managed numerous major market hotels coast-to-coast for both the Hyatt Hotel Corporation and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. Most recently, he served as General Manager at the Hyatt Regency Newport Resort and Spa in Newport, Rhode Island. Prior to that position, Blyth was General Manager at Chicago's Renaissance North Shore.

“Rik has a well-deserved reputation for delivering an unparalleled guest experience,” said Jennifer Kimball, the hotel's Chairman of the Board. “His multi-ethnic experience in the British and American Virgin Islands, Jamaica and Puerto Rico will be a nice compliment to La Fonda and Santa Fe's varied cultures. Rik personifies the 360-degree approach to hospitality that has always been a hallmark of the La Fonda brand, so we are thrilled to welcome him here.”

“La Fonda is one of America's, and the world's, finest historic hotels,” said Blyth. “I'm honored and excited to join a team dedicated to preserving the heritage and authenticity that make this property unique, all while providing our guests the utmost in modern luxury and comfort.”

Originally from Wisconsin, Blyth earned a B.A. in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He is a Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Chicago Cubs fan

About La Fonda on the Plaza

Opened in 1922, La Fonda on the Plaza sits at the terminus of the Santa Fe Trail and is the only hotel on the famous Santa Fe Plaza. Reports of an inn here date back to the 1600s, making La Fonda one of America's most historic hotels. Formerly a Harvey Hotel, La Fonda offers 180 unique guest rooms and suites, including 15 luxury rooms and suites built around a rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of Santa Fe and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The hotel's signature restaurant, La Plazuela, and bar, La Fiesta Lounge, are located off the lobby and open all year. The rooftop Bell Tower bar is also open May through October. In Detours at La Fonda, the hotel's signature gift shop, guests will find a curated assortment of New Mexico-made wares. With more than 20,347 square feet of event space, La Fonda is a favorite conference and wedding location. The hotel recently completed a comprehensive renovation designed to bring the property up to modern standards of luxury while fully preserving the history, authenticity and character that distinguish La Fonda. The AAA Four Diamond property is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Hotels of America and was named “Best Historic Hotel” (76 - 200 rooms) at the organization's 2016 Awards of Excellence. La Fonda was also named “Hotel of the Year” at the New Mexico Hospitality Association's 2016 Top HAT Awards.

Contact:
Jan Sheehan
[email protected]
817-348-9490