The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Appoints Dania Duke as General Manager
Apr 09, 2026 3 mins read
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 9, 2026) — The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel just announced the appointment of Dania Duke as General Manager, ushering in a new era for the iconic San Francisco property as it continues to evolve while honoring its rich history.
Duke brings more than 30 years of hospitality leadership experience to The Clift, with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering operational excellence across some of the world’s most recognized hotel brands. She has held senior leadership positions with Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Margaritaville, and a range of independent hotels, giving her a broad perspective across diverse markets, luxury resorts, and operating models.
As General Manager, Duke will lead all aspects of hotel operations, with a particular focus on repositioning The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, strengthening guest satisfaction, and driving market performance. She brings deep expertise in revenue optimization, guest experience, and food and beverage operations, consistently delivering strong financial results while elevating service standards.
“Dania is an accomplished hospitality leader whose vision, energy, and operational expertise make her uniquely suited to lead The Clift into its next chapter,” said Ryan Frederick, Regional Vice President, Operations – West for Sonesta International Hotels. “Her passion for people, service, and innovation aligns perfectly with the spirit of this historic property and our commitment to creating memorable experiences for every guest.”
“For me, hospitality has always been about creating experiences that people remember long after they leave,” said Duke. “The Clift is one of San Francisco’s most iconic hotels, with an incredible legacy and sense of place. I’m honored to join the team and excited to build on that foundation by delivering exceptional guest experiences while positioning the hotel for continued success.”
Duke’s appointment comes at an exciting time for The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel as the property continues to strengthen its position as one of San Francisco’s premier hospitality destinations. Under her leadership, the hotel will continue to focus on elevating the guest experience, enhancing its food and beverage offerings, and reinforcing the Redwood Room’s legacy as one of the city’s most celebrated gathering places.
About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is — and always has been — legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift or by calling (415) 775-4700.
ABOUT SONESTA
About Sonesta International Hotels
Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands in 10 countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta®; The James™, Classico Collection by Sonesta™, Sonesta Hotels, Resorts & Cruises®; MOD Collection by Sonesta™, Sonesta Select®; Sonesta Essential®, Sonesta ES Suites®, Sonesta Simply Suites®, Red Lion Hotels, Inns & Suites by Sonesta®; Signature Inn® by Sonesta; Americas Best Value Inn by Sonesta™ and Canadas Best Value Inn by Sonesta™. Redefining hospitality through its award-winning Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program, Sonesta offers guests the opportunity to earn and redeem points for unparalleled value and personalized experiences. Sonesta Travel Pass members receive the best rates, earn immediate points towards free nights, and accelerated status progression based on stays. Join now at https://www.sonesta.com/join-travel-pass. For more information about Sonesta visit Sonesta.com or to join our portfolio visit Franchise.Sonesta.com, email development@Sonesta.com or call 617.658.1596.