The Liz McGrath Collection has appointed new General Managers for two of its properties: Melissa Theron has returned to The Marine Hotel in Hermanus after two years as General Manager of The Plettenberg on the Garden Route. Her position at The Plettenberg has been filled by Ainsley Williams.

Theron has been with The Liz McGrath Collection for over a decade, beginning in 2013 as Sales & Reservations Agent. She later advanced to Guest Relations Manager and Front Office Manager at The Cellars-Hohenort.

In 2017, Theron was appointed Assistant General Manager at The Marine Hotel in Hermanus and became General Manager in 2020. Her tenure included overseeing operations and guest services before moving to The Plettenberg in 2022. While at The Plettenberg, Theron was instrumental in the relaunch of the hotel’s restaurant, Amelia’s at The Plettenberg. She has now returned to The Marine to continue her leadership role.

Williams brings 27 years of experience to her role as General Manager of The Plettenberg. Most recently, she served as Resident Hotel Manager at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in Johannesburg.

Williams holds a BSc (Hons) in physiology, civil and commercial mediation diploma and BBA (business administration degree). Her hospitality career began as Banqueting Manager at Villa Via in Cape Town, followed by Food & Beverage Manager positions at prominent five-star properties including Cape Grace Hotel, The Table Bay Hotel and The Bay Hotel in Cape Town as well as the Palazzo Hotel in Johannesburg.

Her previous experience with The Liz McGrath Collection includes two years as Food & Beverage Manager at The Cellars-Hohenort. She later became General Manager at Hartford House in KwaZulu-Natal and was in charge of Operations and New Business Enterprises at The Pencil Club in Umhlanga.