Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the premier manager of ultra-luxury hotels and resorts throughout the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Luigi Romaniello to the position of Managing Director of Rosewood Abu Dhabi, effective May 1, 2011. As Managing Director, Romaniello will oversee all areas of the hotel including the property’s array of signature restaurants and Sense® spa. Romaniello has been with Rosewood for 11 years, most recently as Managing Director of The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence in Atlanta, Georgia.

A seasoned veteran with more than 20 years experience in the hospitality industry, Romaniello joined Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in August 1999 as Resident Manager of Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There, Romaniello managed all aspects of resort operations including the implementation of a state-of-the-art wine room, which achieved Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” in its first year of presentation. For the following five years, he successfully oversaw day-to-day operations as Hotel Manager of Rosewood Crescent Hotel in Dallas, Texas. In 2007, he was promoted to the position of Managing Director of The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence in Atlanta where he lead the team to a successful opening of the hotel. With considerable experience opening new hotels, Romaniello will manage Rosewood’s newest addition to its already outstanding collection of notable properties.

Prior to joining Rosewood, Romaniello began his hotel career in Dallas at the Grand Kempinski Hotel before moving to Austin, Texas to join Stouffer Hotels. He continued his career with the Amway Hotel Corporation at their flagship Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He later moved with Amway to become Executive Assistant Manager for Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands.

“Rosewood is committed to creating world renowned hotels and resorts, and we are pleased to have such a distinguished industry veteran open this spectacular property,” said Bob Boulogne, Chief Operating Officer of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. “His years of experience and wealth of knowledge in the hospitality industry is well suited to lead efforts at Rosewood Abu Dhabi.”

Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be located on Sowwah Island in the United Arab Emirates, the core of Abu Dhabi’s new Central Business District between the prestigious commercial development Sowwah Square and the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be a landmark five-star high-rise hotel and residences featuring approximately 190 spacious guest rooms and suites, approximately 140 serviced residences, an array of signature restaurants, Sense® spa, superb shopping and stunning views of the surrounding water and city.