Doubletree Manager Sees Tourism Growth

Renier Milan, new general manager of the 285-room Doubletree Hotel in Ventura, said the county is just beginning to recognize its tourism potential, and he sees his employer as a key player in building the area’s reputation as a destination spot.

“The hotel obviously takes a strong leadership role in the city,” Milan said. “Ventura, in and of itself, doesn’t have any destination resorts--we attract people on value and service. The Doubletree provides both of those.”

Milan, the hotel’s third general manager in the past four years, has been with the Doubletree’s 1,100-plus hotel chain since 1988. He most recently served as director of rooms and resident manager for the Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Before the Arizona assignment, Milan worked at Doubletree hotels in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Overland Park, Kan. During a term as a regional rooms director, he made periodic stops at the Ventura lodge.

The Long Beach resident said he is happy to return to the area.

“I’ve always liked Ventura--I think it offers a lot of what California is all about, with the beaches and the wonderful weather and with so few of the disadvantages, like the crowding,” he said. “People are starting to realize there’s a strong tourism market here. From a tourism standpoint, Ventura represents one of the great coastal bargains.”

Milan said it is too early to say what changes he might make at the Ventura Doubletree, but cosmetic improvements might be among them.

“We’ll make some physical changes to the hotel,” he said. “We’re attempting to get renovation dollars for some sprucing up.”

The renovation, he said, would not include an increase in the number of rooms.

Jay Rosenthal, Milan’s predecessor at the Ventura Doubletree, was transferred to the Beverly Heritage Hotel, soon to be renamed Doubletree, in Milpitas.