Marriott Downtown Syracuse names McNeil as general manager

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Marriott Downtown Syracuse has announced Paul McNeil as the facility’s new general manager.

The Marriott Downtown Syracuse, the new name of the former Hotel Syracuse, is currently under renovation work and is set to open next spring.

McNeil introduced himself to local reporters in an Oct. 13 meeting at the hotel with Spencer Wallace, the former manager of the Hotel Syracuse.

As general manager, McNeil is responsible for all aspects of the hotel’s operation. They include managing the 43,000 square feet of meeting space, including corporate-group events; overseeing the hotel’s weddings and social events; and “ensuring quality guest experiences” in the 261 guest rooms, the hotel said in a news release issued on Monday.

“The former Hotel Syracuse, now Marriott Syracuse Downtown, is fortunate to have a leader with Paul’s experience and commitment to reopen this property and lead it with the passion and dedication to our community that other managers, like Spencer Wallace, exhibited in the past. As we become the Marriott Syracuse Downtown all of our team is confident in Paul’s ability to restore this iconic hotel to its leadership position,” Ed Riley, owner of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, said in the news release.

A Buffalo native, McNeil’s career with Marriott began in 1985 when he helped open the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. In 2007, he served as general manager of the Marriott Trumbull Merritt Parkway, leading a renovation project at that property.

McNeil most recently oversaw the 2013 renovation project at the Boston Peabody Marriott. His experience with the company also includes appointments at 14 hotels throughout the U.S., including San Antonio River Center, San Francisco Moscone Center, and New York Marquis, according to the news release.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com