Alphonse W. Salomone Jr.
Alphonse W. Salomone Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1919 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | Error: Need valid birth date (second date): year, month, day |
| Occupation | Hotel executive |
| Years active | 1930s–1980s |
| Known for | Vice President of Hilton Hotel Corporation's Eastern division; managing the Plaza Hotel, Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria |
Alphonse W. Salomone Jr. (1919 – March 16, 1993) was a Canadian-American hotel executive of Italian heritage, esteemed as "one of the nation's most distinguished hotel professionals." He held the position of Vice President overseeing Hilton Hotel Corporation's Eastern division and managed several renowned establishments such as the Washington Hilton, New York Hilton, Plaza Hotel, Ritz-Carlton, and the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
Early life and background
Salomone was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. His hospitality career commenced in the 1930s at the Andrew Johnson Hotel. During the Second World War, he served with distinction in Europe, achieving the rank of major and receiving a Bronze Star for participation in five battles.
Career
Salomone began his tenure at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 1947, rising to the role of manager before advancing to vice president at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan. He returned to manage the Plaza amid financial challenges in the 1960s and subsequently directed New York’s Realty Hotels group, which included properties such as the Barclay, Biltmore, Roosevelt, and Commodore hotels. By the 1980s, he was appointed managing director of the New York Hilton Midtown.
His leadership extended beyond hotel management to influential industry positions including chairman of the National Hotel and Motel Exposition, president of the Hotel Association of New York City, vice chairman of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as chairman, president, and CEO of John B. Coleman Company—the proprietors of Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York and Washington. In recognition of his contributions, Salomone was honored with the Gold Key Award by the Avenue of the Americas Association in 1982.
While managing the Plaza Hotel, Salomone became associated with Kay Thompson’s Eloise book series and endorsed its use as positive publicity for the establishment. His involvement extended to appearances in various adaptations including a 2003 television movie and a 2006 animated series. Notably, during The Beatles’ inaugural U.S. tour in 1964, he was overseeing operations at the Plaza and initially contemplated canceling their reservation over concerns about crowd control but was ultimately convinced otherwise by his daughter.
Salomone and his spouse Bernadette were parents to three children: Robert, Gregg, and Lourdes.
Bibliography
- Morehouse III, Ward. The Waldorf Astoria: America's Gilded Dream. Xlibris Corporation, 1991. ISBN 978-1413465044
- Tuccille, Jerome. Trump: The Saga of America's Most Powerful Real Estate Baron. Beard Books, 1985. ISBN 978-1-58798-223-1