The iconic mountain retreat nestled at the base of Aspen Mountain, The St. Regis Aspen Resort, has appointed Heather Steenge-Hart as general manager, effective September 2012.

“Starwood Hotels & Resorts showcases a phenomenal portfolio of brands, and I am honored to lead such a distinguished luxury property in a community that speaks to my lifestyle,” said Heather Steenge-Hart, General Manager, The St. Regis Aspen Resort.

“With the resort’s innovative momentum behind the newly opened Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE and the multi-million dollar renovation, it’s truly an exciting time to join the team.”

Steenge-Hart brings a wealth of hospitality experience to the resort.  Prior to her appointment, she served as complex general manager of W Hotels of Chicago for the past three years.

Heather began her career in 1991 as at the Westin Harbour Castle. From there she was promoted to various positions at numerous Starwood properties: The Westin Bayshore, The Westin St. Francis and The Westin Los Angeles Airport. In 2006 Heather moved to Chicago as the general manager for the W Chicago Lakeshore and was promoted to her most current assignment in 2009 overseeing the W Chicago Lakeshore and W Chicago City Center.

Heather earned her Bachelors of Applied Arts degree with a major in Hospitality and Tourism from Ryerson University in Toronto, ON.

The iconic St. Regis Aspen Resort recently completed a comprehensive $40 million redesign by award-winning designer Lauren Rotett, reinforcing the hotel’s style, innovation and position on the new grand tour itinerary – a tradition beginning in the early 19th century when each generation of affluence travelled through Europe to collect experiences and cultivate culture.

Subsequently, today’s elite communities travel to traditional cities including London, Rome and New York in addition to new world hotspots as diverse as Aspen, Shenzhen, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi.

The redesign of The St. Regis Aspen Resort illustrates John Jacob Astor IV’s vision to create ‘the finest hotel in the world’ with the most exquisite culinary offerings. Most recently, the resort has brought FOOD & WINE’s Best New Chefs together in one kitchen with the June 2012 debut of Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE. This innovative restaurant concept features a select group of Best New Chefs curating a menu of seasonally-inspired cuisine.

George Mendes (2011) of Aldea, New York, NY, James Lewis (2011) of Bettola, Birmingham, Alabama, Alex Seidel (2010) of Fruition, Denver, Colorado and Sue Zemanick (2008) of Gautreau’s, New Orleans, Louisiana, were chosen to inaugurate the menu, which rotates bi-annually. The next group of Best New Chefs will curate the Fall/Winter menu and will launch in November 2012. Throughout the year, chefs will make appearances at the resort to showcase the concept to guests, residents and the local community.