A ‘homegrown’ hotel brand deserves a homegrown General Manager, which is just what TFE Hotels has provided with the appointment of Katie Obst at its new-build Vibe Hotel Adelaide.
Continuing her ten-year career trajectory with the TFE Hotel Group, Obst’s appointment comes as the Group celebrated its expansion into South Australia with the opening of the new-build 123-room hotel earlier this month.
Obst’s appointment comes after four successful years at the helm of the beautifully restored Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury. Here, Obst honed her craft to become a South Australian hospitality specialist. She is credited for consistently maintaining the hotel’s position on the TripAdvisor leaderboard in first and second place during her tenure, which is regarded as a testament to her focus and passion for delivering outstanding guest experiences.
Speaking of her Vibe appointment, Obst said It has been exciting to launch the homegrown Vibe brand to the Adelaide market and welcome our first guests at the hotel in recent weeks.
“This project proudly completes the long-term vision for the Flinders East Precinct, by our developers GuavaLime, and is the final development in what has been a 20-year project,” said Obst.
“I am so honoured to help bring it to life and invite people to experience it for themselves. From our incredible location which affords views across to the Adelaide Hills, to our thoughtful design, not least of all a suspended swimming pool and stunning open plan bathrooms. I know people will be charmed by Vibe Adelaide’s sophisticated urban appeal and inherently local character at every turn.”
Originally a country girl from South Australia, Obst moved to the ‘big smoke’ to complete her final year of schooling after securing a hospitality scholarship with Le Cordon Bleu Australia. She completed a Bachelor of Business, and she embraced interstate placements whilst working at Hayman Island and the iconic Menzies Hotel Sydney, before embarking on her long tenure with TFE Hotels.
She has built up vast experience across the group's Victorian, Tasmanian and South Australian portfolio, working in a variety of roles over the past decade including reservations Manager, Duty Manager and Hotel Manager positions. Highlights include a pivotal leadership role at Melbourne’s Savoy Hotel on Little Collins street, being part of the successful launch team at Travelodge Hotel Hobart Airport, and leading the full refurbishment program at Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Northbank.
Joining Obst at Vibe Adelaide is Brad Wells as the Assistant Hotel Manager; Ross Downing as Food & Beverage Manager; and Head Chef, Kam McManamey.
Behind its impressive 18-storey glass frontage, the 123-room Vibe Hotel Adelaide incorporates stunning interior design features to become the brand’s new flagship in 2023.
Vibe Hotel Adelaide has created several different room and suite categories to appeal to both business and leisure travellers, including Premier Suites, Urban Retreat Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and lead Guest Rooms. The hotel also features a suspended bridge pool that allows guests to “swim” between the hotel and the neighbouring ONE Apartments with additional guest facilities including a pool deck with a spa, sauna, and communal plaza. On the ground level, the hotel’s design-focused style reflects a vibrant, inner-city community with great dining, drinks, and entertainment available at Storehouse Flinders East restaurant and bar.
