Hospitality Experts
Meet the Authors
Kent Zittlau
GENERAL MANAGER
When he’s not using his over 30 years of experience operating wonderful hotels, creating remarkable guest experiences, building teams, and creating a sense of personal warmth and welcome, you can find our GM, Kent, on his boat at Lake Mead, water skiing, fishing, standup paddleboarding, or running along the beach to enhance his own wellness. Born in Los Angeles and raised in So Cal, he truly loves the complete ‘from the desert to the sea’ of our state. Kent is calm in spirit and wise in counsel, believing that the personal is more important than the expected. That is why he also loves exploring quirky Carlsbad Village, the small-town charm of our kick-back Carlsbad culture, and the miles of endless beaches where locals hang out. Fun fact: Kent speaks fluent German.
Carl Manlantao
HOTEL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Carl is a ‘Disney Adult’, a certified Magic Key Holder, and an avid practitioner of Guest Service magic. He is an adventurer at heart, whether it’s a trip to Disneyland or a visit to Japan. Perhaps this is why carries his contagious sunny disposition into every encounter across our Welcome Table, at our private beach, or at our Petit Breakfast. He has spent most of his extensive hotel career in North San Diego and has become expert at all the cool stuff Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, and the La Costa area have to offer. However, as an avid theme park goer, Carl knows all the in spots, from Legoland to SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, and even the San Diego Safari Park. Fun fact: Carl’s wife also works in our family of hotels. Although they didn’t actually meet here, we like to pretend they did!
Renier Milan
VICE PRESIDENT OF HOTELS, TOBO INVESTMENTS
A self-acknowledged design freak, art addict, and restaurant groupie, Renier provides strategic and asset guidance for our portfolio of hotels. In his career, he has operated, helped design, or opened both independent landmark hotels and major brand hotels alike. He has overseen restaurants from coffee shops to Michelin-starred endeavors. Clocking over 40 years in the industry, and over 16 years with our properties, he is obsessed with keeping us counter-corporate and fiercely independent while still being highly relevant. He believes that, at our hotels, we are passionately driven to live slow and that we should create safe spaces for guests to do just that. In his free time, he stalks the booming San Diego, Carlsbad and Oceanside culinary and gallery scenes. He loves dives and fine dining alike. You can also find him hunting salsa music (although he doesn’t dance). Fun fact: Renier is from Cuba and speaks fluent Spanish.
Kelsey Prince Rocha
AREA DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Kelsey is one of the newest members of our team with seniority approaching three years. Her background prior to joining our team was extensive. In her 15+ years of hotel experience, she has helmed marketing at large and small hotels alike, but her heart lies in personal hospitality experiences that improve people’s lives. A former food and lifestyle blogger and influencer, Kelsey brings deep knowledge of digital and social media, PR, website design and management, and a host of other cool things that happen behind the scenes. Her keen eye can pick out upcoming trends and the latest buzzy happenings. At heart, though, Kelsey just loves unique experiences like yoga on the beach, sunset music with a relaxing vibe, traveling the world (she spent part of her honeymoon hanging out with rescue elephants in Thailand), and generally spending time with her family. Fun fact: since joining us, Kelsey has been married and has started a family—and we couldn’t be more thrilled!