Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan welcomes new GM

Bringing his 20 years of experience as a seasoned hospitality professional to the scenic shores of Saipan, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan is pleased to introduce Clayton Darlington as its new general manager as of Oct. 11, 2023.

Building on a reputation of tireless work, dedication, and team-oriented approach to achieving the property goals set by the owners and the InterContinental Hotels Group, Darlington is ready to take on the challenge of taking Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan to new heights of success.

“I have always been a hands-on leader throughout my career, and I intend to continue to drive standards by ensuring the team is utilizing all the great tools and resources that are available to us through IHG. There are always challenges no matter which location you are running a hotel or resort; you just need to make the most of the opportunities that you have,” said Darlington.

Starting out as a hotel trainee in South Africa in 2003, Darlington worked his way through the other areas of hotel management beginning at Housekeeping and Food & Beverage. Darlington eventually found his calling in Operations in 2007.

In 2017, upon relocating to New Zealand, Darlington joined the team of the Holiday Inn Auckland Airport as its operations manager. A year after, he became the general manager of the property.

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‘A meticulous and caring leader who likes to be in the business to create long-term strategies and plans.’

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In a letter announcing Darlington’s appointment to Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Clive Murray, IHG director of Operations, Luxury and Lifestyle for Japan and Micronesia, described the latter as a “meticulous and caring leader who likes to be in the business to create long-term strategies and plans.”

Darlington is also credited for the work he did with his team to create a culture that supports and drives hotel performance. Under Darlington’s leadership, his team at Holiday Inn Auckland Airport was able to overcome the challenges of COVID-19, with the team remaining loyal and the resort coming out experiencing strong growth.

As for his initial impressions upon taking on his new role at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Darlington said: “I was truly impressed with the completed refurbishment, design, location, facilities, and the restaurant and bar outlets. The team has been amazing and very welcoming, a fantastic reflection of the true hospitality they provide our guests on a day-to-day basis.”

True to his commitment to continuous improvement, Darlington is focused on his quest to provide the ultimate guest experience by giving his team the tools to provide stellar customer service.

“I will always try and consistently improve the overall experience of our guests by adopting up-to-date hospitality trends. However, my first steps will be to work on tailored development programs for our high potential team members who are interested in growing their careers in hotel management.”

Aside from the CNMI’s rich culture and tradition of its people, Darlington believes it is the Northern Marianas’ unique “Hafa Adai” spirit that makes the islands appeal to the discriminating global traveler.

“Personally, the main selling point of the Northern Marianas is its beautiful location, the countless ocean views, and its wonderful warm weather. The Northern Marianas has a rich history, with many options for cultural experiences both in the ocean and on land. Most of all, who can deny the warm friendly smiles and generosity of the locals,” he said.

No stranger to new cultures, Darlington and his family of three. which includes his wife and two young children, look forward to exploring and experiencing the delights of Saipan and the CNMI.

“Thank you for welcoming us with open arms. My family and I are looking forward to embracing every opportunity that comes our way. We are excited to be here and have already tried to explore the island and enroll both our children in local schools. We look forward to creating amazing memories with our children, teaching them about multi-cultures and how to appreciate the beauty and nature that is all around us,” he said.

We look forward to creating amazing memories with our children, teaching them about multi-cultures and how to appreciate the beauty and nature that is all around us.