The Don Cesar Welcomes Hospitality Veteran As First Female General Manager

March 15, 2023

Florida’s iconic Pink Palace®, The Don CeSar is appointing Barbara Readey to complex general manager for the property as well as its sister property, Beach House Suites, where she will look after daily hotel operations, programming, sales and marketing efforts, budgets and more. Readey most recently served as hotel manager for Tampa Marriott Water Street and JW Marriott Water Street, where she led the team to earn the highest guest satisfaction score in the JW portfolio.

Readey’s 20 years of hospitality experience as a General Manager includes leading the Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club, where she successfully navigated a three-year, $58 million redevelopment project while maintaining the best-in-class GSS and ESS scores. She’s also held general manager positions at a number of Marriott properties, such as Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Denver Marriott Tech Center, Renaissance St. Louis Hotel-Airport and Romulus Marriott Hotel.

“We are thrilled to welcome Barbara to The Don CeSar, as she brings passion and a strong work ethic to this role,” says Thomas Fraher, area vice president of operations, Davidson Hospitality Group. “It’s an exciting time at The Don as we celebrate our 95th year, which she will lead the team through and on to the next milestone!”

Readey has been active in hospitality leadership positions outside of her professional roles, serving as a member of Marriott International’s General Manager Advisory Council, chairperson of the Marriott Tampa Bay Business Council, vice president of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, as well as serving the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the St. Pete Economic Development committee.