The Fifth Avenue Hotel is delighted to announce the appointment of Karla Aabo as Managing Director for the hotel and Chief Operating Officer of Flâneur Hospitality. The Fifth Avenue Hotel is at the threshold of an exciting new chapter, marked by the debut of stunning new spaces and elevated experiences that exemplifies its recognition as the #1 Hotel in New York City by Travel + Leisure. With over 25 years of experience leading luxury hotels, private clubs, and lifestyle brands, Karla Aabo brings a dynamic blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and creative leadership to her new role at the beloved hotel.
“We are thrilled to welcome Karla to the Flâneur family at such an invigorating time,” said Alex Ohebshalom, Proprietor and CEO of The Fifth Avenue Hotel. “The Fifth Avenue Hotel is evolving with purpose — bringing to life bold new experiences, thoughtful, anticipatory service, and impressive spaces designed to enliven the senses. Under Karla’s visionary leadership, we can’t wait to surprise and delight guests with the future we’re shaping.”
“It is truly an honor to step into this role and helm one of New York’s most exciting hotels,” said Karla Aabo. “The Fifth Avenue Hotel has cemented itself at the forefront of luxury hospitality with a distinctive voice and innovative mentality, a trophy amongst the world’s best properties. I am excited to join the remarkable team of visionaries at Flâneur who have brought this project to life and look forward to leading The Fifth Avenue Hotel into its next chapter.”
In her new position, Karla will oversee the entire operations of The Fifth Avenue Hotel, guiding cross-functional teams both behind the scenes and in guest-facing capacities. She began her career at the Mandarin Oriental in Asia handling Corporate Sales. Over the course of her illustrious career, Karla served as Hotel Manager of Crosby Street Hotel during its opening, leading the launch of Firmdale Hotels’ first U.S. property and positioning the hotel at the forefront of the New York market. As Director of Operations at Gramercy Park Hotel, Karla led her team with intelligence, vision, and enthusiasm. In her role as Managing Director at Austin Proper Hotel & Residences, Karla successfully navigated an ownership transition and repositioned the hotel in its market, culminating in being ranked the #1 Hotel in Austin by Travel & Leisure as well as a Forbes 4-Star Hotel & Spa. Karla most recently served as the Managing Director of Montauk Yacht Club and the Vice President of Operations, East Coast for Proper Hospitality, where she led the repositioning of properties. Deeply passionate about innovation and creativity in hospitality, Karla assumes her position with poise and a forward-thinking approach to luxury hospitality.
