Rod Lapasin appointed as Managing Director and General Manager of Hotel Westland, opening spring 2025 in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, poised to elevate the local hospitality scene.
SEATTLE – Aparium Hotel Group, a leader in the lifestyle hotel industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rod Lapasin as Managing Director and General Manager of Hotel Westland, the luxury boutique hotel, restaurant, and rooftop bar opening at RailSpur in Seattle’s Pioneer Square in spring 2025. As a fifth-generation Seattleite, Lapasin has a deep knowledge and personal connection to the city and brings more than 35 years of industry experience to the property, having held senior leadership roles with renowned luxury brands including, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and the iconic Salish Lodge & Spa.
Upon opening, Hotel Westland will anchor the RailSpur micro-district in Pioneer Square, a cultural hub where art, music, history, and community converge. Developed by Urban Villages, a leading real estate developer and environmental steward, and designed by The Miller Hull Partnership with interiors by Curioso, the hotel preserves the original 1907 brick and Douglas Fir timbers of the Manufacturers Exchange Building.
The hotel will feature 120 guest rooms, bespoke amenities, a signature restaurant, and Pioneer Square’s first rooftop bar with views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline. It will also showcase 328 Pacific Northwest-inspired art pieces curated by ARTXIV.
Hotel Westland is centrally located in Pioneer Square, the birthplace of the city of Seattle and a neighborhood that deeply reflects the city’s rich history and vibrant culture – “the location also holds personal significance for me, as my family has been rooted in Seattle since the early 1900s. I am proud to lead this transformative project and look forward to welcoming the local community and visiting guests,” said Lapasin.
“We are fortunate to have Rod at the helm of Hotel Westland and RailSpur’s micro-district. His extensive hospitality background combined with his long-standing ties to Seattle will be invaluable to establishing Hotel Westland as the city’s preeminent destination” said Mario Tricoci, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aparium Hotel.
At Hotel Westland, Lapasin will lead daily operations, focusing on elevating the guest experience by incorporating Aparium’s hallmark translocal hospitality. He will also serve as Managing Director of RailSpur, a major adaptive reuse development by Urban Villages that includes Hotel Westland, the newly announced Death & Co cocktail bar, three Sea Creatures restaurants, and 77,000 square feet of workspace with a rooftop event space. Additionally, RailSpur features 26 Sonder Suites and activated alleys hosting regular art, music, and culinary events. This development honors Pioneer Square’s history while creating a vibrant gathering place for locals and visitors.
Hotel Westland and its dynamic social and dining areas are managed by Aparium Hotel Group, a world-class hotel operator focused on market-leading independent lifestyle hotels, restaurants, and bars, which was recently voted one of the best hotel brands in the world by Travel + Leisure. Hotel Westland and RailSpur are being developed by Urban Villages, a leading real estate developer and environmental steward.
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