Thompson Savannah Adds to Leadership Team

Thompson Savannah (201 Port Street), the urban oasis and culinary-cocktail destination in the city’s Eastern Wharf district, announces the addition of new, seasoned team members, adding to the hotel’s reputation of stellar service. The talented team includes Hyatt Hotels & Resorts veteran Keith Butz as General Manager, hospitality expert Olivia Williams as Director of Culture and Programming, and Georgia native, Victoria Shore, as Executive Chef. Additionally, the hotel’s Lead Concierge, Amanda Marks, has earned the prestigious and highly coveted Les Clefs d’Or keys, and is the only concierge in Savannah with this high honor. The collective expertise of the hotel’s new leadership team ushers in fresh, engaging programming, an amplified focus on exceptional service, and enhances a strong culinary vision for the hotel’s four bars and restaurants, all designed to introduce travelers and locals alike to the vibrancy of Savannah. 

 

With more than 26 years of Savannah-based hospitality experience, Thompson Savannah marks the 13th Hyatt Hotel General Manager Keith Butz has worked with, and the sixth where he has served as GM, coming full circle from his first position with the hotel group as an intern nearly 30 years ago. Prior to Thompson Savannah, Keith has held General Manager positions at Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf, Hyatt Regency Calgary, Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Grand Hyatt Kaua`i, and The Confidante. 

 

"I’m honored to continue my long standing relationship with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, now as General Manager of Thompson Savannah,’" says Keith. "The hotel is certainly a special destination, giving travelers and the community an ideal hub from which to explore a new side of the city, while offering thoughtfully curated programming and top-tier restaurants, all in a luxe setting with the beautiful Savannah River backdrop. Our growing team looks forward to welcoming culture seekers, discerning diners, and those interested in an authentic Savannah experience."

 

A guiding force within Thompson Savannah’s robust food and beverage program since its inception in August 2021, newly appointed Executive Chef Victoria Shore brings more than ten years of valuable kitchen experience and a passion for local ingredients paired with a global perspective to her new position as Executive Chef. She oversees all four unique concepts at the hotel - the upscale, seasonally focused fleeting, where she will work alongside Creative Culinary Director Rob Newton, the Mediterranean-inspired rooftop oasis Bar Julian, the recently reimagined bar by fleeting, and the ingredient-driven Stevedore Bakery, working closely with Executive Pastry Chef Noah Whritenour. With family roots in Georgia, Chef Shore developed a passion for cooking from her Lebanese family history. After cooking in kitchens along the East Coast, she returned home to Atlanta, joining the Castellucci Hospitality Group at Cooks & Soldiers as a pastry chef, and then as a sous chef at Double Zero and food stall, Recess, in the vibrant Krog Street Market development. 

 

Dedicated to showcasing the vibrancy of Savannah’s community, Thompson Savannah’s first-ever Director of Culture and Programming Olivia Williams brings over a decade of hospitality experience to this newly created position. From highlighting the works of world-renowned Savannah visual artist Marcus Kenney in partnership with Culture Shifter Susan Laney from Laney Contemporary, to partnering with SAFE Shelter on a number of causes guests can participate in throughout the hotel, to programming the pool deck, hotel and food and beverage spaces, Olivia brings her passion and knowledge of Savannah’s culture and rich history to this new role. 

 

As a testament to the property’s dedication to delivering unparalleled guest service, Thompson Savannah’s Lead Concierge Amanda Marks, who has been with the hotel since the opening, was recently accepted into the highly esteemed Les Clefs d’Or (Keys of Gold), an elite international network of concierge professionals dedicated to providing the highest level of service for their guests. As the only Les Clefs d’Or concierge in the city, Amanda brings her 20 years of Savannah hospitality experience and expertise to the hotel, offering unparalleled service and a wealth of knowledge around the city’s dining, museums, and historical sites for guests to enjoy. Prior to Thompson Savannah, Amanda has worked as a concierge with The Desoto Savannah, The Alida Hotel, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, and with Old Savannah Tours.