Newly Opened Waldorf Astoria Cancun Welcomes New Members to Executive Leadership Team

Image: André Aparício, hotel manager, Waldorf Astoria Cancun. (photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts)
Image: André Aparício, hotel manager, Waldorf Astoria Cancun. (photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts)
TravelPulse Staff
by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 1:20 PM ET, Wed December 14, 2022

WHY IT RATES: The three new appointments ensure that the Waldorf Astoria brand's global standards of hospitality and wellness will continue into the future with the new property. - Lacey Pfalz, Associate Writer, TravelPulse


Hilton is pleased to announce three appointments to the Waldorf Astoria Cancun executive leadership team. The recently opened property welcomes André Aparício as hotel manager, Alejandra Vela as guest experience manager, and Omar Sanchez as the cluster spa director.

"It is an honor to be welcoming André, Alejandra and Omar to the executive team at Waldorf Astoria Cancun," said George Stanfield, Managing Director of Waldorf Astoria Cancun. "With their expertise and passion for hospitality, Waldorf Astoria Cancun continues to elevate guest experience to create unforgettable stays for our guests."

André Aparício - Hotel Manager, Waldorf Astoria Cancun

As the hotel manager of Waldorf Astoria Cancun, Aparício is responsible for the administration of all day-to-day hotel services and activities at the resort.

Aparício brings an impressive industry background that spans over 16 years to this role. Aparício's career began as Group Coordinator for The Leading Hotels of The World at Vila Sol SPA & Golf Resort, before becoming Hotel General Manager at Falesia Hotel in Portugal. Most recently, Aparício held the position of Director of Operations for both JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro and W Bogota in Colombia before joining the Waldorf Astoria Cancun team.

Aparício has a bachelor's degree in hospitality management from University of the Algarve with certifications from Hotelschool the Hague and Cornell University.

Alejandra Vela - Guest Experience Manager, Waldorf Astoria Cancun

Vela oversees the overall satisfaction of Waldorf Astoria Cancun guests, and as guest experience manager, works closely with the team to deliver an outstanding and effortless experience for all guests prior, during, and after their stay.

Vela started in the hospitality industry as sales representative at Moon Palace Jamaica All Inclusive Resort before relocating to Cancun as the Diamond Concierge at Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun.Vela was part of the pre-opening and opening team of Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort before joining the Waldorf Astoria Cancun team as Guest Experience Manager.

Vela holds a bachelor's degree in international business with an emphasis on international relations from the EAFIT University in Medellin, Colombia and certificates from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico.

Omar Sanchez - Cluster Spa Director, Waldorf Astoria Cancun

As the Cluster Spa Director of Waldorf Astoria Cancun, Sanchez is responsible for all day-to-day operations and ensuring the spa is a welcoming and high-performance environment for guests.

Sanchez brings an expansive background with him to Waldorf Astoria Cancun with 16 years of hospitality experience. His career began as a spa coordinator at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, before transitioning to spa manager at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya and later at Paradisus Cancún. He then served as Corporate Spa Director with the Oasis Group in Cancun before serving as Spa Director at Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana. Sanchez was part of the pre-opening team as Cluster Spa Director for Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort before expanding his remit with the opening of Waldorf Astoria Cancun.

Sanchez holds a degree in financial studies from the Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico, as well as a technical diploma in massage therapies.


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