Peter Kacheris

Managing Director

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Peter Kacheris is squarely on the spot. As managing director, the 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry is responsible for the daily operations of the 497-room Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the 1,000-room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Kacheris also oversaw the final phase of their construction and opening, which occurred in October. He joined Hilton after most recently serving as complex general manger of the 2,265-room Swan and Dolphin Resort.

What will be your greatest challenge at Bonnet Creek?

“The biggest challenge is, because we have a 1,000-room Hilton and a 500-room Waldorf, we have to figure out how that all works together. And this is while we are introducing the first Waldorf Astoria outside of New York since 1931, which is the flagship hotel leading the new luxury brand for Hilton. So, it’s a big challenge but a most exciting challenge.”

Is there a “Kacheris stamp” — a chief characteristic — that will emerge, whether immediately or eventually?

“I think the stamp that we’re really after is particularly in the service aspect: to exceed expectations of any customer coming on this property — whatever that may mean, if it’s golf, if it’s spa, if it’s restaurant, if it’s the hotel, a convention, a social function. The mission is that as guests leave the gates of Bonnet Creek, we want them to say, ‘Wow, that was spectacular.”