By the Caribbean Journal staff

Global luxury hotel brand Kempinski has named a general manager for its highly-anticipated hotel in Dominica.

The company has appointed Michael J. Schoonewagen to the role, in which he will open the hotel and help position the island as a new go-to luxury travel destination.

Schoonewagen has three decades of hotel experience in Europe, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean with a host of luxury brands.

“We are delighted to welcome Michael to the Kempinski family,” said Xavier Destribats, COO for Kempinski in the Americas. “With his successful track record of managing luxury properties in pioneering destinations, and his focused expertise in the luxury segment, I am confident that Michael will build on our considerable momentum in the region.”

Kempinski most recently opened the ultra-luxe Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski in Havana.

The Cabrits Kempinski Dominica, which will also include a spa, is slated to debut in 2019 in Dominica.