The Imperial Hotel in Cork, which was acquired earlier this year by the Louis Fitzgerald Family, has announced the appointment of a new general manager, Kresimir Krezo, to lead the luxurious historic property on South Mall and its team into the next phase of growth.
Kresimir Krezo is a highly experienced hospitality professional who previously held senior roles at the Great Southern Killarney, Lough Eske Castle, Dalata and most recently Luttrellstown Castle Resort. He holds a master’s degree in Tourism and Travel Services Management and a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. His unwavering dedication to providing exceptional guest experiences over the years and his innovative approach to hospitality have made him a respected leader in the field.
General Manager Kresimir Krezo pictured overlooking the Imperial Hotel on South Mall, Cork City; Photographer: Louis Tan
It all started with a bell for Kresimir. He worked his way up from bellboy to front office manager in a 5-star hotel in his native Croatia. He loved the buzz, the glamour, and especially the hospitality side. With a passion for travel and meeting new people, Kresimir moved to Ireland in 2014. It was initially not a long-term plan, but he fell in love with the Irish people and Ireland’s focus on hospitality and customer care. Kresimir has been living in North Cork for the past four years with his fiancé Aishling and they are soon to welcome a new arrival.
As the newly appointed General Manager of The Imperial Hotel, Kresimir is poised to guide the establishment through a continued phase of growth and transformation. His vision for the future is rooted in preserving the legacy of the hotel and its service excellence, while introducing new experiences. He will also put a key focus on welcoming the local community to The Imperial Hotel’s buzzing restaurants and bars, Sketch and No. 76. Looking after staff and having a positive workplace culture within the hotel is a priority. As Kresimir says, “Cherish the history and embrace the future while being mindful of the environment so that this lady stands tall for future generations.”
Fondly referred to as Cork’s Grande Dame by locals, The Imperial Hotel is already recognised as one of the country’s leading city hotels with a stellar reputation and a host of recent awards, including the Supreme Winner of the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards for 2023.
General Manager Kresimir Krezo pictured outside the main entrance to the Imperial Hotel on South Mall, Cork City; Photographer: Louis Tan
The Imperial Hotel is proudly an Irish owned, part of the Louis Fitzgerald Group, one of the largest family-run hospitality groups in the country. Ongoing investment will continue at the property with extensive refurbishments and upgrades, including a new look Frederick Douglass Suite, refreshed bedrooms and suites along with the hospitality offering’s many repeat guests and customers it is a time of excitement and optimism.
Welcoming the appointment Niamh Fitzgerald, CEO at Louis Fitzgerald Group said, “We are delighted that Kresimir will lead our dedicated and passionate Imperial Hotel family. There is a certain weight of responsibility that comes with heading up a landmark property such as The Imperial Hotel, that has gone from strength to strength over the past number of years, and I am confident that with his extensive experience, knowledge of luxury hotels and alignment with our brand ethos, he will be a huge asset to the whole team. At The Imperial Hotel, guest experience is paramount and that is something that Kresimir is passionate about delivering.”
Commenting on his appointment, Kresimir said, “I am delighted and proud to be welcomed by the Fitzgerald family and look forward to working for such a successful hospitality business in a progressive city that I now call home. It’s an honour to be trusted with leading The Imperial Hotel into the future, and I am thrilled to work alongside the dedicated and passionate team who have made this hotel a true gem. Having lived and worked in Cork for the past five years, it’s great on a personal level to be at the heart of this vibrant city with its close business community and strong sense of identity. Cork is on the up when it comes to food and destination tourism, so it’s an exciting time to be at the helm of one of the top hotels in the region.”
For further information see www.imperialhotelcork.com
