Gabriel Castrillon, general nanager of Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, has been awarded, “2011 General Manager of the Year” for Hyatt North America’s small hotel category.
Recognized for his significant contributions to the industry, exceptional leadership, and modeling Hyatt’s core values, Castrillon has led the hotel and its employees to exemplify the company’s mission, by providing authentic hospitality and guiding the property to many financial achievements.
Having started his career with Hyatt in1984, Castrillon began as an income auditor at Hyatt Regency Miami. In the years to follow, Castrillon quickly worked his way up through the ranks of the accounting division accepting posts as assistant controller at Hyatt Regency Sarasota in 1986, and later controller for Hyatt Lisle in 1988.
The next year, Castrillon moved to Hyatt on Capitol Square with the same title, and later became a senior controller overseeing both the Hyatt on Capitol Square and the Hyatt Regency Columbus until 1998, when he moved to Hyatt Regency O’Hare (Chicago) through 2001. In December 2001, Castrillon was promoted to general manager at Hyatt Regency University Village in Chicago, and later returned to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in 2003 as hotel manager. In 2003, Castrillon moved to Hyatt Rosemont (Chicago) as general manager and in 2004 was promoted to Hyatt Regency Coral Gables as general manager. Castrillon is a member of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the FIU Foreign Language Department Advisory Board. Castrillon lives in Davie. Balancing life and work is a motto Castrillon empowers his employees with, and he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, the outdoors and cycling in his free time.
The “General Manager of the Year” Award for small hotels is presented to the general manager who performed exceptionally well in the financial, guest and associate categories. Candidates are selected from Hyatt Hotels across North America and nine brands in the company’s portfolio.
Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, a AAA Four-Diamond Miami luxury hotel, is modeled after the Alhambra Palace in Spain. Situated just two blocks from Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile shopping, dining and entertainment area, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is only four miles or 10 minutes from Miami International Airport. The hotel features 250 recently renovated rooms, and is home to the award-winning restaurant Two Sisters. Meeting and event facilities include 14,000 square feet of multi-functional meeting space.
