Veteran hotel executive now leads premier Southern California resort
Carlsbad, Calif. – Omni La Costa Resort & Spa has added veteran hotelier Randy Zupanski as its managing director. Zupanski, who will lead a seasoned team of hospitality professionals at one of Southern California’s premier luxury resorts, comes directly from Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei, where he was area manager and general manager. With more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry with various brands in the U.S., Canada, Philippines and China, Zupanski is accomplished in all aspects of hotel operations.
“Joining both Omni Hotels and Resorts and the legendary Omni La Costa Resort and Spa is a tremendous opportunity,” says Zupanski. “We’re excited to implement our strategic capital plan over the next five years. It will encompass resort and golf, with the intent to retain our position as a leading luxury destination resort, attracting domestic and international travelers while also connecting locally as a place to be for all occasions.”
One of his key projects will be the upcoming renovation to Omni La Costa’s Champions Course in preparation for hosting the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Championship tournaments for three years, starting in 2024. “That will truly be a game changer for the resort and will position our golf program and overall resort profile at the highest level,” says Zupanski. “Having the chance to collaborate with the legendary Gil Hanse and host the NCAA Championship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our team. We are all extremely excited about the future opportunity to showcase the resort and new golf layout.”
Zupanski’s optimism for Omni La Costa’s resurgence abounds, given promising trends of recreational, golfing, and group travel bookings showing strong signs to returning to – or exceeding – pre-pandemic numbers. “We exist to facilitate our guests by creating unforgettable experiences with incomparable service by our seasoned team. So, post-pandemic, our business will look very similar to the excellent business were doing before the pandemic began.”
The native Canadian graduated from London’s Fanshawe College with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, and was subsequently honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Business Leadership in 2010. Throughout his career, he’s continued his education in the hospitality industry by taking courses and programs at Cornell University, Hong Kong Wine School, and Singapore Management University. He brings to Omni La Costa strategic thinking and knowledge from his diverse career path.
Prior to rejoining Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, he was general manager of the iconic Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, Westin Mission Hills in Palm Springs, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, and Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver. He’s also been managing director of Raffles and Fairmont Makati in Manila, and general manager of Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Fairmont Newport Beach, and Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire.
Zupanski’s impressive leadership history includes serving as board director of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, and an honorary member of Les Clefs D’or.
For more information, visit https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa.
About Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
An escape from the everyday, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa was originally created as a playground for celebrities and athletes with every amenity imaginable and is now the perfect destination for all types of travel – from romantic getaways to wellness retreats to treasured family vacations, group meetings and special events. The Spanish Mission-style property boasts more than 600 guest rooms, suites and villas, 110,000 square feet of meeting and event space, an Athletic Club, and eight sparking pools including an adults-only pool and exhilarating waterslides.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, a GOLF Magazine Top-100 Resort in North America and Golf Digest Editors’ Choice among Best Golf Resorts in California features two iconic golf courses, Champions and Legends. Complementing the world-class golf is the highly-acclaimed Golf Performance Institute, offering Southern California’s most comprehensive game improvement program. The 43,000-square-foot Spa at La Costa includes a private pool, waterfall showers, café and therapeutic reflexology path. Acclaimed restaurants – Bob’s Steak & Chop House and Bar Traza – present an updated take on local cuisine. For more information, call (800) 854-5000 or visit www.omnilacosta.com.
Media Contacts:
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Michelle Zwirek
Director of Sales and Marketing
760-929-6391
michelle.zwirek@omnihotels.com
Melissa Liebengood
Director of Marketing
858-922-2720
melissa.liebengood@omnihotels.com
Kevin Frisch PR
Carl Mickelson
(512) 797-2673
carl@kevinfrischpr.com
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@kevinfrischpr.com
