New Orleans' Windsor Court Hotel named Ralph Mahana, a 12-year veteran of the luxury property, as GM, effective April 28. He replaces David Teich, who is returning to South Carolina to be closer to family after serving as GM of the property for 10 years.
Mahana has worked for the past two years as the hotel’s assistant GM, where he was responsible for all hotel operations and functionality. Prior to 2016, his tenure comprised a variety of departmental leadership roles, including director of rooms, operations, front desk, guest services and the hotel’s food & beverage outlets.
“Although it’s only 34 years old, this hotel is rich in history—not only for the amazing art collection and the tenured staff, but also because of the incredible guests—from Princess Anne and Bill Clinton to Oprah and Justin Timberlake—who have passed through here,” Mahana said in a statement.
An alumnus of Tulane University and Isidore Newman School, Mahana is a New Orleans native with well-established ties to the Windsor Court: His family had a standing reservation in The Grill Room almost every Friday night during his youth.
“Windsor Court is one of the premier hotels in the world, and it’s in my favorite city in the world. I grew up in this hotel and working here allows me to give back to the city of New Orleans,” Mahana said in a statement
Mahana isn’t the only new appointment at the hotel this year. In February, Jason Granger was promoted from within and named as director of public dining. Granger began his career at the hotel in 2009 as a server assistant in The Grill Room and has since been promoted multiple times. Garland Hill, previously a manager at the New Orleans-based Pêche Seafood Grill and Marcello’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, was named as an outlet manager.
In March, Seth Falvo, an industry veteran with past stints at local eateries Grand Isle Restaurant and Boucherie, was hired as bar supervisor for the hotel’s newly opened Waterman Poolside Bar. Weldon Dubroc, who started as a server in The Grill Room, was promoted from outlet manager to banquet manager, and Jeffrey Martin, a leader in environmental services within the hospitality and health care sectors, was hired as the director of housekeeping.
The 23-story Windsor Court Hotel is located in the heart of New Orleans' central business district, steps from the French Quarter. The luxury hotel has 316 guestrooms and suites, the Grill Room Restaurant, the storied Polo Club Lounge, the Le Salon for afternoon tea, the on-the-go eatery Café Anglais, an art collection with mostly works of British origin and the Spa at Windsor Court, among other amenities and services. Windsor Court is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts' Legend Collection, and is a member of the Southern Living Hotel Collection