Australian native and veteran hotelier, John O’Shea, has been named the new General Manager of the Fullerton Hotel Sydney, effective February 2025.
With more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, O’Shea has successfully managed numerous iconic hotel openings and renovations in Australia and across the Asia Pacific, including China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Fiji.
His return to Australia after 30 years overseas saw him lead the successful opening of the Langham Gold Coast in 2022. The renowned three-tower Jewel development, which includes luxury rooms and serviced apartments, quickly gained industry accolades under O’Shea’s stewardship, including the Australian Hotels Association National Awards “Overall Hotel of the Year” award, Travel & Leisure’s “Best Beach or Island Hotel in 2023 and 2024. Mr. O’Shea labels this opening, following the pandemic, as one of his career highlights and is excited to share those learnings with his leadership team at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
With a strong reputation as a dedicated leader within the industry, having achieved numerous awards, including Michelin stars and Chef’s Hat accolades for the hotels he has managed, he maintains that the moments he most enjoys in his role are when he is front of house, engaging with guests and staff. “I look forward to working with the talented Fullerton team and getting to know our loyal guests and visitors,” said Mr. O’Shea. “I always say the best place for a hotel General Manager is in the public areas, speaking with the guests, so front of house is where you are most likely to find me.”
“The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is a true landmark. I am fully prepared to meet all the exciting projects that are ahead, including the hotel room refurbishment set for the coming months, the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the stunning General Post Office (GPO) building, and more. I hope to continue the successful patterns established by the hotel leadership team. My goal is to further sustain The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s leading reputation. Now is the perfect time to take on the role,” O’Shea said.
With its prime Martin Place location, I anticipate The Fullerton becoming one of Sydney’s favourite spots for after-work drinks, long lunches, and relaxing get-togethers with family and friends. I am particularly passionate about bringing a stronger sense of identity to the hotel’s food and beverage offerings across The Bar, The Place, and showcasing what this beautiful and iconic Heritage GPO Building has to offer.
