Baillie Lodges has appointed Michael Crawford as CEO as Executive Chairman Michael Moret-Lalli steps down from his role to focus on business development.
Crawford joins Baillie Lodges from Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, where he held roles as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to Hall of Fame, he spent four years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts including working as Global President of Portfolio Management, and he has also spent nearly 25 years at Walt Disney Company in roles across the United States and Asia.
Crawford says he’s excited to join a talented team that is “deeply passionate about – and uniquely capable of – creating life-affirming experiences for guests”.
“I look forward to growing this platform, and I’m committed to delivering our guests one-of-a-kind experiences that we are uniquely positioned to create.”
The move comes at a time of growth for the company following the investment from an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners, which has seen Baillie expand from four lodges in Australia to nine lodges across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Chile.
KSL Partner Kirk Adamson says, “This is an exciting moment for Baillie Lodges, as they aggressively pursue strategic growth”.
“Michael Crawford brings significant operating expertise, a track record of growing world-renowned brands and a deep understanding of today’s luxury traveller. I also want to thank Michael Lalli for his leadership and look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Two Baillie lodges have recently reopened after major renovations. Huka Lodge, on the banks of the Waikato River in Taupo, New Zealand, reopened in March; and Tierra Atacama in the northern desert of Chile reopened on the 1st of April.
For more information, visit Baille Lodges.
