The Bahamas’ SLS Baha Mar has named a new vice president and general manager, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The luxury resort on Cable Beach in Nassau has tapped Axel Gasser to the dual role, in which he will oversee and lead “all hotel operations,” while managing the property’s senior leadership teams. 

The SLS Baha Mar is one of three branded resorts at the Baha Mar megaresort destination, along with the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and the Rosewood Baha Mar. 

“I am very proud to welcome Axel to SLS Baha Mar after his tremendous success in launching Mondrian Doha,” said Sam Nazarian, founder and CEO of parent company sbe. “He is the perfect leader for our first international SLS at Baha Mar and he will work very closely with our partner and Baha Mar President, Graeme Davis and his team. Axel has a deep understanding of the sbe vision, and we look forward to having him at the helm of this dynamic beachfront property to continue raising the bar of innovation in hospitality with his signature style and energy.”

The SLS Baha Mar was the first SLS-branded hotel outside of the United States when it debuted in 2017. 

It is also the only SLS in the Caribbean, though a Cancun resort is currently in development. 

“We are delighted to welcome Axel to our roster of talented leaders at Baha Mar, and look forward to his contributions as we successfully continue to develop our associates, offer exceptional experiences to our guests, and drive the tourism to The Bahamas to even greater heights,” Davis said. “We believe his experience will be integral to the continued success of SLS Baha Mar and in turn, the entire integrated resort destination.”

— CJ