Michele’s career in institutional real estate investment banking includes involvement in more than $65 billion in real estate transactions, spanning property sales, debt placements, and advisory assignments. Her experience includes the $1.95 billion sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York, one of the most significant hotel transactions in U.S. history.

Throughout her 16-year tenure at Eastdil Secured, Michele advised on trophy hospitality and resort assets across the United States, including the Four Seasons Washington D.C., Montage Laguna Beach, Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort, the W Hotel Union Square New York, and The London NYC.

These transactions required complex financial underwriting, disciplined execution, and sophisticated negotiation among institutional investors, private equity firms, and global ownership groups. This institutional transaction experience now informs Michele’s strategic advisory work representing buyers and sellers across the Hamptons luxury real estate market.

Waldorf-Astoria New York

New York, N.Y.

Sold for $1,950,000,000

The sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York remains one of the most significant hotel transactions in U.S. history and, at the time, represented the largest acquisition of a U.S. real estate asset by a Chinese buyer. As part of the transaction, Anbang Insurance Group, whose assets were later assumed by Dajia Insurance Group, committed to a substantial renovation to restore the Art Deco landmark while entering into a 100-year management agreement with Hilton Worldwide.

Since opening on Park Avenue in 1931, the Waldorf Astoria has played a defining role in New York City’s hospitality landscape. The transaction marked a notable moment in global real estate investment and the preservation of an architectural landmark.

Strategic Hotels & Resorts Portfolio

National

$3,000,000,000 Financing

Financing on behalf of Blackstone in connection with its acquisition of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, a transaction valued at approximately $6 billion. The portfolio included 17 prominent hospitality assets across the United States, including the Four Seasons Washington D.C., Montage Laguna Beach, Hotel Del Coronado, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Four Seasons Scottsdale Troon North, Four Seasons Resort & Residences Jackson Hole, Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, and Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Ritz-Carlton & JW Marriott Grande Lakes Portfolio

Orlando, FL & Phoenix, AZ

Sold for $1,245,000,000

Sale of a three-property portfolio to Blackstone from Paulson & Co., Winthrop Realty Trust, and Blackstone Mortgage Trust. The portfolio included the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando, Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando, and JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix.

W Hotel Union Square New York

New York, NY

Sold for $171,000,000

Sale of the landmark W Hotel Union Square New York on behalf of Host Hotels & Resorts to Westbrook Partners. Originally constructed in 1911, the Beaux-Arts property was repositioned as a W Hotel in 2000.

Additional Transactions

The London NYC
New York, NY

$382,000,000

Park Hyatt
Washington, DC

$100,000,000

Mandarin Oriental
New York, NY

$170,000,000