Benchmark named Kristina Turner area director of marketing for the Villas of Grand Cypress, a Gemstone Collection property, and The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property that opened its first phase on March 10.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Kristina to our company,” said Ted Davis, chief sales & marketing office for Benchmark. “Not only is she supremely qualified, but she comes to us with extensive knowledge and insights into the Orlando resort market, which will serve these two remarkable properties well. We look forward to her leadership at both resorts.”
Turner comes to Benchmark with nearly two decades of sales and marketing experience. She was most recently director of eCommerce for Hilton, where she led a team of 16 professionals overseeing 600 franchise properties in Florida, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Southeast Atlantic region. Prior to this Turner served as the regional eCommerce manager for Hilton. She began with the company as regional coordinator of sales & marketing.
Turner graduated from Everest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She was part of Hilton’s prestigious High Performer program.
Villas of Grand Cypress offers 146 guest suites and villas, 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf, multiple on-site dining options, in-room spa services, a swimming pool, fitness center, fishing and access to the Grand Cypress Racquet Club as well as jogging and walking trails and watersports on Lake Windsong. There is a newly renovated 7,200-square-foot meetings and event facility for groups up to 240 and the meeting rooms surround an open atrium and overlook a garden terrace.
The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando opened its first phase in March. Set on Lake Austin, the resort launched with 184 of its 878 residential-style suites, three swimming pools, a selection of watersports at The Grove’s Lake Austin Pier, the Escape Spa and fitness center as well as food and drink options that include the grab-and-go-style Alfresco Market, Element and Zest lounges. 6,000 square feet of space is available for meetings and events. Additional amenities will open later this year, including Valencia restaurant and the poolside Springs Bar & Grill, additional guest accommodations and The Grove’s signature Surfari Water Park as well as its own poolside eatery, Longboard Bar & Grill.
