Hilton announces the appointment of Sharilyn Toko as general manager of the 652-room Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the company’s first hotel to open outside of the continental U.S. in 1949 and birthplace of the piña colada.
With more than three decades of hospitality experience, Toko joins the Caribe Hilton team following a year of holding a dual role as general manager of Embassy Suites by Hilton San Juan Hotel & Casino and The Condado Plaza Hilton, where she took the helm in 2016 to reenergize the team and elevate the guest experience.
An award-winning general manager, Toko is a Hilton veteran who joined the company in 1989 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where she remained until 2000, overseeing the resort’s catering and convention services. She then moved to Puerto Rico to take on the role of director of meeting and conference services at the former El Conquistador Resort, where she advanced her career, leading her to oversee the 950-room resort as hotel manager, responsible for not only the hotel, but also its private island, water park, spa, privately owned villas and more. Toko studied Business Administration and Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo.
“Puerto Rico’s incredible vibrancy, the warmth and genuine hospitality of its people and the rich local culture is what has always drawn me to this destination, and to Caribe Hilton, an iconic property that embodies the strength, resiliency, and passion of the island and its people,” says Toko.
“A resort renowned for overcoming many challenges, Caribe Hilton’s story plays such a key role in the Hilton brand legacy. Their mission has always been to create an atmosphere that feels like home to visitors, team members, and the local community. I’m honored to oversee these efforts and proud to lead the powerful team of individuals who have made Caribe Hilton the beloved mainstay it is today. With our industry working to overcome one of its biggest challenges to date, we look towards the success of Caribe Hilton as a signal that Puerto Rico will remain strong. We will continue to find ways to evolve the guest experience and will continue giving travelers a great reason to visit Puerto Rico.”
