Rik Blyth tapped to lead New Mexico's La Fonda on the Plaza

La Fonda on the Plaza, a luxury hotel in Santa Fe, N.M., appointed hospitality industry leader Rik Blyth as its GM. 

Blyth brings to La Fonda many years of domestic and international luxury resort and hotel top management experience. He has served as GM for 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 GM at the Hyatt Regency Newport Resort and Spa in Newport, R.I. Prior to that position, Blyth was GM at Chicago’s Renaissance North Shore. 

“Rik has a well-deserved reputation for delivering an unparalleled guest experience,” Jennifer Kimball, chairman of the board for La Fonda on the Plaza, said in a statement. “His multiethnic 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,” Blyth said in a statement. “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.