ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The recently-opened AC Hotel by Marriott St. Petersburg Downtown has named its executive team—Ben Walters, hotel general manager; Christine Moore, director of sales; and Edelmira Delgado, director of food and beverage.
Ben Walters will serve as general manager and Christine Moore will be the director of sales. Edelmira Delgado is director of food and beverage with responsibility for the brand’s signature AC Lounge and AC Kitchen as well as Cane & Barrel, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar.
As the hospitality portion of Ascent St. Petersburg—a mixed-use project under development by Greystar Real Estate Partners and Concord Hospitality—the new 8-story, 172-room AC Hotel by Marriott will be managed by OTO Development.
“St. Pete has such a lively and interesting downtown,” says Walters, noting the AC brand aesthetic complements the destination’s urban spirit and its wealth of cultural, historical, and recreational touchpoints. “I’m excited to be part of a property that fits so perfectly with the city’s vibe.”
Walters earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Indiana University, then garnered a decade of operations experience in roles of increasing responsibility at various Hilton and Hyatt branded properties. He joined OTO Development in May 2021 as general manager of Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City, where guest satisfaction scores prompted his promotion to opening general manager at the new AC Hotel.
Moore’s introduction to hospitality was a one-person gig at a 12-room boutique hotel on Siesta Key—and she knew she’d found her niche.
She went on to sales roles at Hyatt, IHG, and Hilton properties in Tampa Bay and Sarasota, Fla. She holds hospitality management certificates from the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University.
Moore comes to her new role after a successful tenure leading the sales effort at OTO Development’s Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach.
Delgado has more than 15 years of food and beverage experience, beginning while she was earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and international business at Youngstown State University. Her resume includes management roles at major hotel brands including Hilton and Hyatt as well as boutique resorts and spas.
The hotel’s lobby space includes the brand’s signature AC Kitchen for European-inspired breakfasts and an AC Lounge for craft cocktails, local brews, and sharable plates. The rooftop features Cane & Barrel, a Cuban-inspired restaurant and bar with both an interior lounge and a terrace overlooking the waters of Tampa Bay.
