Kokua Hospitality Names Nichole Benolken New Hotel Manager At Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile

Jan. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Chicago, Ill - Kokua Hospitality has named Nichole Benolken hotel manager for the 500-room upscale Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile according to Phil Tufano, partner and executive vice president of Kokua Hospitality, LLC.

“Nichole brings a wealth of management and sales experience,” said Tufano.  “Her previous background with a variety of properties will ensure that our guests will have the best experience possible at the Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile,” he added.

Benolken returns to Chicago after overseeing the development and opening of the premier, 190-room Aloft Washington National Harbor Hotel in Washington, DC., managed by Kokua Hospitality.  She joined Kokua Hospitality in 2006 as the director of operations for the Inn of Chicago and was promoted to its manager in January of 2007. There she was responsible for supervising the renovation and repositioning of the hotel.  Her career has also included management roles with both independent and franchise environments.    

She replaces Imre Gonczy who returned to the Ocean Resort Waikiki in Hawaii as hotel manager for Kokua Hospitality.  In her role with Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile, Benolken oversees the front office, housekeeping and food and beverage areas and focuses on ensuring quality guest experiences.  The property offers 16,000 square feet of stylish new meeting space in 13 event spaces.  

Birgit Radin, managing director at the Doubletree Hotel said, “Nichole’s expanded expertise in launching and repositioning hotels will be a great asset to the Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile and we welcome her return to Chicago.”

Originally from Crystal Lake, Ill., Benolken is a graduate of DePaul University with a political science degree.  She currently resides in the Greektown neighborhood in downtown Chicago.  When she’s not on the job, you’ll find Benolken enjoying the city’s dynamic music scene or sailing along the Lake Michigan lakefront.

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About Kokua Hospitality, LLC
Kokua Hospitality is a property management firm affiliated with The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC, of San Francisco. Purposely created by lodging management and operational experts as a management company with an investors’ sensibility, Kokua Hospitality blends the attention to detail of a customer service entity with the rigors of a real estate investment concern. The name (pronounced “koh-koohah”) is Hawaiian for “to serve.” Based in San Francisco, Kokua Hospitality manages a growing portfolio of hotels and resorts nationwide. For more information on Kokua Hospitality, please visit www.kokuahospitality.com.