Arbor Lodging Management, a Chicago-based operator of hotels, announces the appointment of Vasileios Ioannou as the company’s first-ever corporate director of food & beverage. Joining the Arbor Lodging team most recently from The Westin Chicago Northwest, Ioannou brings over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a strong service-based management philosophy.
"Since Arbor Lodging’s inception, we’ve grown to be a team of over 500 associates across 16 properties nationwide, many of which carry a unique culinary point of view,” said Sheenal Patel, CEO of Arbor Lodging Management. “With Vasileios on board, we are thrilled to provide additional leadership and support to each offering under our management, and continuing our growth of a diverse collection of restaurants and bars.”
In his role as corporate director of food & beverage, Ioannou is responsible for all restaurant, banquet and bar outlets and all culinary aspects of hotels within the Arbor Lodging portfolio.
“Joining the Arbor Lodging team is an invigorating opportunity to further develop the caliber of hospitality experiences offered under in our growing portfolio,” Ioannou said. “I strive to cultivate culinary experiences that are reflective of the local markets surrounding our hotels, and to offer each guest a personal, tailored experience they can only receive with us.”
After completing his degree at Wayne State University, a passion for food and beverage grew into a dedication to the hospitality industry in the Chicagoland area. Ioannou previously served as the director of operations - food and beverage at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, followed by position of the director of restaurant and bar operations at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Prior to joining Arbor Lodging, Ioannou was the assistant general manager at the Westin Chicago Northwest. Under his direction, The Westin Chicago Northwest not only executed a $15-million capital renovation plan that included four restaurants, guestrooms, lobby, and banquet space, but also enjoyed an increase in guest satisfaction scores by 10 percent.
Ioannou resides in Harwood Heights, Ill., with his wife and young son, practicing the martial art of Krav Maga in his spare time.