Matthew Karow
Arlington,VA
Summary
Hotel General Manager with 20 years' experience across Hyatt, Marriott, and Independent Lifestyle and Luxury properties. Experience includes renovation, new openings, repositioning, and significant union experience.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager – Hotel Heron
Aparium
03.2025 - Current
- General Manager of 134 room luxury property, featuring 3 F&B outlets. Property generates $20 million in topline revenue.
- AAA 4 Diamond.
- Trip Advisor ranking improved from 24/48 to 2/48 within 6 months.
General Manager – Art Ovation Hotel
Shaner Hotel Group
08.2023 - 03.2025
- 162 room Autograph Collection property located Downtown Sarasota, with 3 F&B outlets and extensive Banquets. Property generated $25 million in topline revenue.
- AAA 4 Diamond.
- 2024 ‘Mark of the Year’ for Marriott Autograph Collection.
- 2024 Associate Opinion Survey: Ranked 1/75 within Shaner.
General Manager – The Daytona Hotel
Shaner Hotel Group
08.2021 - 08.2023
- General Manager for 144 room Autograph Collection hotel located on NASCAR’s campus, adjacent to Daytona Speedway.
- Responsible for $20 million in topline revenue.
- AAA 4 Diamond.
- 2022 ‘Hotel of the Year’ for Shaner Hotel Group.
- 2022 Associate Opinion Survey: Ranked no. 1/65 within Shaner.
General Manager – Hyatt Centric Alexandria
Magna Hospitality Group
05.2019 - 08.2021
- Opening General Manager for 124 room full service, lifestyle, hotel.
- Responsible for all pre-opening critical path items, including pre-opening operations budget, stub year budget, and Sales and Marketing Plans.
- #1 of 52 hotels in Alexandria on Trip Advisor.
- 2020 General Manager of the Year for Magna Hospitality.
General Manager - Courtyard Boston-Cambridge
Highgate
11.2018 - 05.2019
- 216 room union hotel steps from Harvard University, generating $20 million in topline revenue.
- Led hotel through a six-month period of operation outside the union contract.
- Oversight of a 9-key rooftop addition.
General Manager - Studio Allston Hotel
Highgate
12.2017 - 11.2018
- Opening General Manager for 117 room art-forward lifestyle hotel. Hotel ranked #10 of 89 Boston hotels on Trip Advisor following my tenure. Hotel opened on April 20th, 2018.
- Responsible for all pre-opening critical path items with major emphasis on Public Relations and Sales.
- Employee Opinion Survey score of 97%, ranked no. 2 in Highgate portfolio.
- Responsible for $12 million in topline revenue.
Hotel Manager – Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Highgate
10.2015 - 12.2017
- Oversight of Hotel Operations for 390 room hotel with 20,000 sq. ft. of event space, including a $40 million renovation and repositioning.
- Day-to-day responsibilities included oversight of Rooms and F&B.
- Task Force General Manager for Inn of Chicago (359 room union hotel; transitioned hotel to the Highgate portfolio).
- Task Force Complex GM for Holiday Inn Brookline and Courtyard Boston-Cambridge (400 combined rooms with 12,000 square feet of event space).
Director of Rooms – Hyatt Arlington
Highgate
08.2013 - 10.2015
- Oversaw all Rooms operations for 318 room hotel.
- Task Force Director of Rooms for Boston Park Plaza, a 1054 room union hotel.
- Task Force General Manager for Courtyard Boston-Cambridge, 207 room union hotel.
- Highgate Advisory Board member for Front Office.
Director of Housekeeping – Hyatt Regency St Louis
Hyatt
10.2012 - 08.2013
- Housekeeping Department Head for a 910 room four diamond hotel.
- Oversaw staff of 100+ associates, including two assistant managers and seven supervisors.
Director of Front Office – Hyatt Regency St Louis
Hyatt
11.2011 - 10.2012
- Department Head for Front Office, Guest Services, PBX, and Club Lounge for 910 room four diamond hotel.
- Manager of Quarter – 3rd Quarter 2012.
- 2012 Department of the Year and 2012 Leadership Award.
Director of Housekeeping – Hyatt Regency Rochester
Hyatt
04.2010 - 11.2011
- Housekeeping Department Head for 338 room downtown hotel.
- Housekeeping-Lead for the opening of Hyatt 48 Lex, NYC.
- Public area and meeting space renovation experience.
- 2010 HyPerformance Manager Award. 2011 Department of the Year.
Director of Front Office – Hyatt Regency Rochester
Hyatt
03.2009 - 04.2010
- Department Head for Front Desk, Guest Services, Transportation, Valet, and PBX for 338 room downtown.
- 2009 Manager of the Year. 2009 Department of the Year.
Assistant Front Office Manager – Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
Hyatt
04.2006 - 03.2009
- Oversight of Front Office, Guest Services, PBX, and Concierge for 484 room union hotel.
- Hotel Project Manager for Opera PMS conversation.
- Full scale hotel renovation experience.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI05.2008
Timeline
General Manager – Hotel Heron
Aparium
03.2025 - Current
General Manager – Art Ovation Hotel
Shaner Hotel Group
08.2023 - 03.2025
General Manager – The Daytona Hotel
Shaner Hotel Group
08.2021 - 08.2023
General Manager – Hyatt Centric Alexandria
Magna Hospitality Group
05.2019 - 08.2021
General Manager - Courtyard Boston-Cambridge
Highgate
11.2018 - 05.2019
General Manager - Studio Allston Hotel
Highgate
12.2017 - 11.2018
Hotel Manager – Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Highgate
10.2015 - 12.2017
Director of Rooms – Hyatt Arlington
Highgate
08.2013 - 10.2015
Director of Housekeeping – Hyatt Regency St Louis
Hyatt
10.2012 - 08.2013
Director of Front Office – Hyatt Regency St Louis
Hyatt
11.2011 - 10.2012
Director of Housekeeping – Hyatt Regency Rochester
Hyatt
04.2010 - 11.2011
Director of Front Office – Hyatt Regency Rochester
Hyatt
03.2009 - 04.2010
Assistant Front Office Manager – Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
Hyatt
04.2006 - 03.2009
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Wisconsin