Paul Maddison appointed GM of the AC Hotel in Irvine, Calif.

Pacific Hospitality Group appointed Paul Maddison as GM of the AC Hotel Irvine – the first AC Hotels by Marriott property in Southern California. The hotel is expected to open this spring in the heart of Park Place, a live, stay, play destination in Irvine, Calif.

In his new role, Maddison will oversee the hotel’s preopening development and day-to-day operations, including recruitment, sales and marketing. He will also be in charge of bringing to life the AC Hotels’ food & beverage programming through AC Kitchen and AC Lounge, as well as locally inspired experiences for both guests and locals.

“We are excited to have Paul as general manager of our newest PHG property and look forward to the growth of AC Hotel Irvine under his leadership,” Steve Arnold, COO and president, Pacific Hospitality Group, said in a statement. “Paul’s extensive experience and dedication to delivering an exceptional guest experience will help position AC Hotel Irvine as a leading destination for entrepreneurial spirits who are looking for meaningful experiences that are complemented by modern, purposeful design.”

A veteran hospitality executive with more than 22 years in the hospitality industry, Maddison most recently served as director of operations at PHG’s 376-room Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove in Garden Grove, Calif. Maddison’s knowledge of service excellence, along with his strengths and hands-on experience in hotel operations, helped him become an asset within the PHG company. Before his position at Wyndham, Maddison held numerous management positions with DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Loews Santa Monica Beach, Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside, Calif.

In addition to hospitality, Maddison also has an immense passion for wine, and in 1994 he became a certified sommelier. In 1995, he was awarded “Sommelier of the Year” by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association. Maddison's knowledge of wine will be of use as he’ll have a hand in selecting varietals at the hotel's AC Lounge, a communal space of creativity and collaborationby day, and a social space serving specialty wines, spirits and tapas in the evenings.    

AC Hotel Irvine is scheduled to open for business in spring 2017 and will be a new-build development located in the heart of Orange County’s Park Place, a 105-acre mixed-use master development consisting of office space, restaurants, retail, residential and on-site fitness center. This modern, design-driven hotel has a second story pool with terrace, 1,500 square feet of meeting space, an AC Kitchen and Lounge and a fitness facility.

Located less than 2 miles from John Wayne International Airport, the hotel also offers guests access to many different art offerings, shopping venues, theme parks, and several recreational activities from hiking and biking to surfing at one of the many nearby beaches.