KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Dec. 13, 2019) – The Raphael Hotel is pleased to welcome Amy Ridgeway as the new general manager of its historic property. In her new role, Ridgeway is responsible for the successful execution of all hotel operations, including finance, sales and marketing, front office, housekeeping, human resources, and security. A seasoned hospitality professional, Ridgeway has more than 20 years' experience working for hotels in the Kansas City metropolitan area, including Sheraton Suites, Courtyard Marriott, Hilton Kansas City Airport, Wellesley Inn & Suites, and Ameristar Casino Hotel. During her nine-year tenure as General Manager at the Courtyard Marriott Country Club Plaza, the hotel received the Platinum Award for guest satisfaction twice, and the Quality Assurance Award out of 755 Courtyard hotels. Ridgeway is tasked with continuing the streak of The Raphael Hotel placing in the top one percent of the Marriott Autograph Collection and the number one hotel in Kansas City on TripAdvisor. “As a Kansas City native, The Raphael Hotel has always been an iconic landmark to me. I am thrilled to be part of its history and to continue the goal of providing the best guest experience in the city, and a comfortable, inviting atmosphere with a one-of-a-kind restaurant,” said Ridgeway. The Raphael Hotel's award-winning restaurant concept, Chaz, is also excited to announce that its Director of Food and Beverage, Jordan Carver, is on track to become a Certified Sommelier. In October, Carver passed the Introductory Sommelier Course of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He plans to continue his education and training by completing the second level course to become a Certified Sommelier in 2020. Carver, who joined Chaz in July of 2017, is responsible for the restaurant's wine program, which recently won its eighth consecutive Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for an exceptional selection of wines. With a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry, Carver's previous experience includes roles at the Majestic Restaurant and La Bodega. About The Raphael Hotel The Country Club Plaza landmark is the original boutique concept among historic Kansas City Plaza hotels. The nine-story, Italian Renaissance Revival structure is a member of National Trust Historic Hotels of America and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. TripAdvisor reviewers rank The Raphael as Kansas City's top hotel and Chaz on the Plaza one of Kansas City's best restaurants for modern American cuisine. The hotel and its signature restaurant are affiliated with the Autograph Collection, a portfolio of independent hotels selected by Marriott International for their distinctiveness. # # #
