Manchester Grand Names Vikram Sood GM of the Grand Del Mar
Sood Brings Luxury Golf Resort Experience to New Position
SAN DIEGO, CA, October 17, 2006. The newest member of a growing team of seasoned hotel professionals, Vikram Sood has been named general manager of The Grand Del Mar, a luxurious new resort now under construction in North San Diego County and slated for completion in fall 2007.
As general manager, Sood will oversee all day-to-day operations for the much-anticipated 261-room property, which is owned and operated by Manchester Grand Resorts. Situated amidst the striking fairways of the 7,160-yard, par-72 Grand Golf Club, The Grand Del Mar will ultimately encompass 39 partially- and wholly-owned Villas; San Diego's only Tom Fazio-designed golf course; two outdoor tennis courts; a 21,000-square-foot full-service spa; four swimming pools; fine dining, including Addison, the signature restaurant overlooking the fairways; and more than 30,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space.
Sood was most recently hotel manager of the acclaimed Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, a luxury property he helped open in 2003, and was also general manager of that facility's Golf Resort, consisting of 500 villas and 90 homes. Under his direction, this exclusive property was awarded AAA's coveted Five Diamond ranking and named one of the "Top Ten U.S. Resorts" by Cond'e Nast Traveler.
According to Thomas J.W. Voss, president of Manchester Grand Resorts, Sood was hired based on his extensive experience in opening and operating luxury properties. "We are confident he will play a key role in establishing The Grand Del Mar as one of the region's top luxury resorts," Voss said.
With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Sood has opened four luxury resorts, including properties for Four Seasons, Regent International Hotels and the Kiawah property.
He spent nearly ten years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and was a member of the opening management team at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii and Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad. In addition, he opened The Regent Las Vegas and was executive assistant manager for the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and director of operations for L'Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa.
He holds a master of science degree in hotel, restaurant and travel administration from the University of Massachusetts and a bachelor of arts degree in international relations from the University of British Columbia. A native of India, Sood grew up in Vancouver, B.C. He now lives in Carmel Valley with his wife and four children.
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