Waterfront Resort Fills Key Leadership Post Following Multimillion-Dollar Renovation The Maya, Long Beach has appointed Mark Dunton as Director of Food & Beverage, a newly elevated position designed to oversee the hotel's culinary operations and the continued evolution of Fuego, its signature waterfront lounge concept. Dunton arrives as The Maya completes a major renovation. He will lead the hotel's culinary team and programming while overseeing Fuego's transformation into a beverage-forward Latin-inspired lounge and bar.
Background and Local Experience Dunton brings decades of hospitality experience across restaurants, wineries, and hotel operations in Long Beach. Most recently, he created Risu, a full-service bar and tapas restaurant near the Long Beach Convention Center. Before that, he spent eight years at District Wine, a downtown Long Beach wine bar, where he helped establish the concept and develop its guest experience. "Joining The Maya at this point in its evolution is a thrilling opportunity for me," Dunton said in a statement. "Fresh off a major renovation and the transformation of Fuego lounge, there is so much momentum behind the hotel and its new food and beverage program. Fuego has such a strong sense of place, and I'm excited to help build on that by creating an experience that feels welcoming and authentic to Long Beach."
Fuego's New Concept Fuego's redesign draws inspiration from Mayan history and features refreshed indoor and outdoor spaces, new furnishings, and fire pits overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach skyline. The program includes an elevated cocktail offering led by Manager of Beverage and Mixology Preston Crespo, and a new menu by Executive Chef Luis Torres focused on shareable, flavor-driven dishes. The lounge also operates Café de Fuego, a morning coffee and pastry program in partnership with Long Beach-based Sheldrake Coffee Roasting and Colossus Bakery.
Why It Matters
Hotel F&B leadership appointments signal confidence in a property's recovery or repositioning.
Dunton's deep local roots and track record developing hospitality concepts suggest The Maya is doubling down on its community presence and destination appeal within Long Beach's competitive resort market.
For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.
Written by FBM Publications Editors
