Virgin Hotels has appointed Rani Gharbié as its new vice president of development. In this role, Gharbié will lead efforts to expand the brand’s footprint across the United States and into Canada, focusing on both conversions and ground-up projects.
Reporting to Allie Hope, head of development and acquisitions, Gharbié will identify strategic partners and investors to advance conversion opportunities, grow the brand’s management portfolio, and help deliver new hotel properties. She will prioritize collaborations that reflect Virgin Hotels’ distinct culture and values, nurturing authentic relationships that support long-term growth.
“As an avid traveler with a deep understanding of the hotel industry, it’s an amazing opportunity to join the Virgin Hotels team. They’ve introduced a hotel experience guests identify with and are excited about, and that’s difficult to do in what is a very crowded market,” Gharbié said. “I’m proud to be a new steward for the brand as we look to keep up with the admirable growth in the United States and make our move into Canada.”
Before joining Virgin Hotels, Gharbié was a founding principal at Cedar Funds, a New York City–based hotel and real estate development and investment firm. At Cedar Funds she focused on ground-up developments and the acquisition and repositioning of underperforming assets. Gharbié’s background also includes senior roles in both real estate and hospitality, including serving as regional director of development at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
In her new post, Gharbié will combine this industry experience with a network of investors and operators to advance Virgin Hotels’ strategic pipeline. Her responsibilities will include assessing markets for conversion and new-build potential, structuring joint ventures and investment partnerships, and coordinating with internal teams to ensure projects align with the brand’s service standards and design ethos.
Virgin Hotels continues to accelerate its growth strategy by targeting key urban and gateway markets in North America. With Gharbié joining the development team, the company aims to strengthen its ability to source high-quality assets, execute conversions efficiently, and deliver properties that resonate with modern travelers while preserving the brand’s personality.
Gharbié’s appointment signals Virgin Hotels’ commitment to thoughtful expansion—balancing rapid growth with careful partner selection and a focus on the guest experience. Her mix of development expertise, investment acumen, and hotel industry knowledge positions her to play a central role in the brand’s next phase of development across the U.S. and Canada.