W Hotels has announced the appointment of Craig Seaward as general manager of the largest W hotel to open globally – W Sydney – scheduled for opening in the third quarter of 2022.
As general manager for W Sydney, Craig will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the final build, including recruitment and training of the 500+ team and managing all pre-launch activity to ensure the hotel opens to the highest standard. Upon opening, he will direct the hotel’s day-to-day operations and be accountable for the commercial and operating strategy and performance of the hotel.
Craig arrives in Sydney having spent the past 11 years as general manager of the multi award-winning W Bali-Seminyak. He successfully opened the Escape (resort) property and will continue to bring his expertise and game-changing management style to the W brand.
An experienced hotelier, Craig is a global leader in the luxury lifestyle space and has spent 25 years working for premium hotels, predominantly with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which merged with Marriott International in 2016. He was named general manager of the Year 2018 for Marriott Luxury and Best general manager in Indonesia at the 2019 World Luxury Hotel Awards.
Craig also held the position of general manager at Sheraton Surabaya Hotel and Towers and Pakuwon Golf and Family Club in East Java, Sheraton Perth and Westin Chosun Beach, Pusan South Korea.
“I am thrilled and honoured to lead the W Sydney team. The hotel holds a prime position in Sydney’s leading entertainment district, and its bold design and electric energy will transform the Darling Harbour precinct and turn traditional luxury on its head,” said Seaward.
The anchor of the ‘Ribbon’ development designed by highly acclaimed global Architects, HASSEL, and prominent London based interior design agency, Bowler James Brindley, W Sydney will showcase 586 stylish guestrooms, suites and studios, with stellar city and harbour views. The hotel will also feature a two storey rooftop bar, Level 29 WET® Deck with heated infinity pool overlooking Darling Harbour, AWAY® Spa, state-of-the-art FIT gym, all-day dining restaurant, Living Room bar, Food Truck, over 1100sqm of event space and direct access into the heart of Darling Harbour waterfront precinct as guests step out of the hotel.
The Ribbon, named for its undulating form that rises through two elevated roadways on Sydney’s Darling Harbour, will create a spectacular waterfront experience, providing enhanced ground level activation, sight lines over the Harbour and pedestrian links across Cockle Bay and from the Harbour through to Darling Quarter and the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.
IMAGE: Craig Seaward gm for the new W Sydney, opening 2022
