New boss checking in at NZ’s biggest hotel
The country’s biggest hotel has a new boss with Craig Bonnor appointed managing director of Cordis, Auckland.
Bonnor — who has been in the hotel industry for more than 35 years — succeeds Franz Mascarenhas.
Bonnor brings more than 30 years of industry experience in rooms divisions, business development and general management.
He has spent time in properties across Japan, Thailand and Australia, working for brands including Hilton and Carlton Hotels.
He has been a general manager with the Hilton group for more than 12 years, and until last year, had been managing the Hilton, Petaling Jaya in Malaysia, a 547-room hotel.
He had been in the role of general manager at Cordis, Auckland since last December.
Cordis Auckland is New Zealand’s largest hotel with 640 rooms.
“I am incredibly honoured to take on the role of managing director,” Bonnor said.
“I am committed to continuing to deliver exceptional service to our guests, fostering a positive work environment for our employees, and driving further success for the hotel.”
Cordis is part of the Langham Hotel Group, (LHG) which takes its name from its 159-year-old property in London — recognised as Europe’s first grand hotel.
It has about 30 hotels worldwide and is looking to expand globally and in this country.
While he’s stepping back from the managing director role, Mascarenhas will continue on part time as an adviser to the hotel, whilst also looking for other expansion opportunities in NZ.
“I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together at Cordis Hotel over the years,” said Mascarenhas, whose contribution to hotels was recognised with the Ashley Spencer Service to Industry award at the HM Awards in Sydney last year.
He’s been managing director of Cordis Auckland for the past decade, navigating the hotel through the pandemic (when it didn’t take MIQ guests) and the building of a luxury tower on the site.
During this time, he has held senior leadership positions across three global hotel companies — ITT Sheraton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and the Langham Hospitality Group.