With more than 20 years of international hospitality experience across lifestyle, luxury, and boutique hotels in Japan, California, Hawaii, and Switzerland, Fares brings extensive expertise in hotel operations, team leadership, guest experience, and food and beverage. In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of operations at 1 Hotel Seattle, which opened in May 2025 in the city’s South Lake Union neighborhood. The 153-room property marked 1 Hotels’ debut in the Pacific Northwest and has since earned a MICHELIN Key, establishing a strong presence in Seattle’s luxury hospitality landscape.
“I’m thrilled to join 1 Hotel Seattle and become part of a brand whose values resonate so strongly with my own,” said Fares. “Throughout my career, I’ve always believed that exceptional hospitality starts with genuine human connection, both with our guests and within our teams. Seattle’s deep connection to nature makes it an incredible setting for 1 Hotels, and I look forward to working alongside the team to continue creating meaningful experiences for our guests and the local community.”
Fares joins 1 Hotel Seattle following his role as General Manager of Aloft Osaka Dojima, where he elevated guest satisfaction, strengthened team engagement, improved financial performance, and reduced annual talent turnover to 10%. Under his leadership, the hotel’s leadership index improved by 51 points and achieved a top-five ranking in Japan.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Hotel Designs.
