About The Inn
Press Room
Learn the Latest News from the Inn and Spa at Loretto
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lupe Hirt
Mindspeak Public Relations
lupeh@mindspeakpr.com
(303) 859-1762
Caroline Craven Joins the Inn and Spa at Loretto as Catering Sales Manager
Craven aims to exceed bride expectations with her big city flair and small town personal touch
SANTA FE, N.M. – Sept. 16, 2009 – Stefan Huber, general manager at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, has appointed Caroline Craven to catering sales manager. In this role, Craven will oversee weddings, special events and catering for the hotel. A Philadelphia transplant with an accomplished six-year track record, Craven’s top priority is strengthening the hotel’s destination weddings foothold in the east coast and neighboring states like Texas, Arizona and Colorado. Equally important is bolstering the hotel’s Luminaria catering business through special events such as political fundraisers, outdoor weddings, corporate functions and holiday celebrations. Craven and her team have several initiatives currently underway that span from new wedding packages and bridal incentives to using Santa Fe traditions to create authentic Native American ceremonies.
It’s the Little Things
A wedding is one of life’s greatest milestones and Craven understands how ‘the little things’ come together to make a special event truly memorable. Her eye for detail, talent for realizing wedding dreams and her passion for planning weddings has earned her client praise and industry recognition in bridal magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings, TheKnot.com, Washington Brides and in bridal shows such as Style Network’s “Whose Wedding is it Anyway?” Most recognized for her inspiring and creative wedding designs, Craven has also earned praised for her budget-friendly wedding practices. She helps brides stay on budget by integrating value-priced options, leveraging her vendor relationships to negotiate expenses and using her creative talent to tie it all together.
At the Inn and Spa at Loretto, Craven will oversee the hotel’s wedding and leisure events. She will be responsible for managing every stage of the event process including: venue selection, décor and floral composition, and lighting, sound and entertainment coordination. She will also work closely with Executive Chef Brian Cooper and his culinary team to treat attendees to an authentic Santa Fe dining experience with a new age American twist. “Unlike other regions, Santa Fe’s wedding market remains strong and we are confident that under Caroline’s direction, it will continue to flourish,” said Huber. “Caroline brings a contagious level of energy, enthusiasm and creativity that inspires everyone around her. Her commitment to customer excellence and personalized service will give our guests the peace of mind knowing that their wedding or event is in good hands.”
Prior to joining the Inn and Spa at Loretto, Craven was an event designer at Avalon Caterers International in Washington, DC. In this capacity, she orchestrated high-profile corporate, private, and individual events in the Washington, DC metro area, grossing more than $3 million in sales. She managed every stage of an event, directed in-house marketing and promotional events and recruited a substantial new firm client base resulting in consistent repeat business and revenue growth.
She graduated from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Double Major in Political Science and Latin American Studies and a Minor in Spanish. Craven is fluent in Spanish and recently relocated to Santa Fe without a job or a place to live, but simply with a passion to make The City Different her new home. She has since settled in and enjoying the uniqueness of Santa Fe. When she is not working, Craven enjoys hiking, camping, frequenting hot springs, and introducing her east coast palate to southwestern chile heat.
Weddings at the Inn and Spa at Loretto
Located at the end of The Santa Fe Trail, the Inn and Spa at Loretto is nestled perfectly into its historical surroundings near the Plaza. Built in 1975 next to the famous Loretto Chapel, the Inn embodies the culture of the region and infuses its spirit into every celebration. From intimate garden weddings and memorable sunset ceremonies to decadent soirees, the 134-room Taos Pueblo Inn boasts more than 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, an indigenous spa and award-winning cuisine. At the Inn brides and grooms can exchange vows amongst scenic mountain vistas and endless New Mexico skies, welcome guests on blossoming patios filled with desert sage and lavender, dance in the moonlight at an unforgettable outdoor reception, and celebrate their love in a timeless, genuine setting.
For more information about weddings or special events at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, please call 800.727.5531 or visit www.innatloretto.com.
Inn and Spa at Loretto
The 134-room Inn and Spa at Loretto is a boutique hotel epitomizing classic Santa Fe architecture and style with warm Southwest colors and tones. The prestigious Inn was inspired by the famed Taos Pueblo (a national historic landmark) and sits adjacent to the historic Loretto Chapel, known for its miraculous spiral staircase. The hotel, one of the most photographed buildings in town, features the Southwestern inspired Spa at Loretto with six treatment rooms, the popular Living Room Bar and Luminaria Restaurant & Patio.
Destination Hotels & Resorts
Inn and Spa at Loretto is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, which is consistently rated one of the top 10 independent hospitality management companies in the United States. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008. New for 2009 is the 582-room Terranea Resort situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California, which opened to the public in June. The 102-acre ocean front resort features a 25,000-square-foot destination spa, three swimming pools, three ocean view restaurants and a Todd Eckenrode-designed par three golf course. In addition to Terranea in the greater Los Angeles area, Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com or to join the company’s loyalty program for the best offers available, visit www.destinationdelivers.com
