Renaissance Hotels & Resorts has named PERRY KESSLER director of hotel sales for the new Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel.  Scheduled to open in mind January 2008, the 471-room hotel will be the first Renaissance property in the downtown Boston area.  Kessler brings nearly two decades of sales and hospitality experience in the Boston market to the exciting new development.  A Marriott veteran, Kessler will be responsible for all aspects of sales for the new-build property, currently under construction in the city’s emerging South Boston Waterfront District. 

Kessler’s extensive industry experience has helped develop his expertise in strategic account development, team building and salesmanship.  Kessler is part of an accomplished opening team, including David Keamy, director of sales and marketing, and Evan Empey, citywide senior account executive, market sales, Boston.  Kessler will play an integral role in building the unique hotel’s group customer base. 

Kessler most recently served as senior account executive and area director of hotel sales at the Boston Marriott’s in Newton and Burlington, MA.  Prior to that, he spent 14 years at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, where he held various positions including catering sales manager, convention manager and finally, director of event planning.  Kessler’s accolades include exceeding the largest individual booking pace in the Northwest Neighborhood for 11 consecutive quarters, the 2006 Golden Circle Bronze Level Achiever award and the Chairman’s Circle Pinnacle Achiever award for Marriott International in 2005.

The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel will be situated on the South Boston Waterfront, within the 1,000-acre, mixed-use development called the Seaport District.  Directly east of Boston’s bustling Financial District, this location offers exceptional water and city views, as well as proximity to the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, downtown Boston and Logan International Airport.  Cambridge, Mass., architects, Stubbins Associates, created the sleek 21-story building, which redefines the waterfront skyline, with a design inspired by the sails of a ship billowing in the wind.  The hotel’s interior design, developed by Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Cheryl Rowley Design, weaves marine-inspired elements, vivid colors and dramatic finishes into the hotel’s custom-crafted artwork, furnishings and fixtures. The energizing but soothing design elements also come together to create the distinctive look and feel of an urban sanctuary. 

The Renaissance Boston Waterfront will feature 471 guestrooms, including 21 suites.  The hotel will be equipped with helpful amenities and the latest technology, including flat panel TVs, connectivity panels for laptops, and MP3 players.  Over 20,700 square feet of meeting space, including a 10,700-square-foot ballroom and a 4,400-square-foot junior ballroom will be available, and will offer state-of-the-art technology, including wireless Internet access throughout.  The hotel’s onsite restaurant, Georges Bank Bistro, will feature fresh seafood creations, outdoor seating, a chef’s table and an exhibition kitchen.  In addition, guests will enjoy a Starbucks® Café, a lobby lounge, a fitness center with lap pool, spa treatment rooms and an outdoor terrace, as well as a 24-hour business center.