Hotel News Now’s Independent Insights newsletter each month features a news roundup from the independent hotel sector. Subscribe to the free monthly newsletter here.
Provenance to develop hotel with Vera Bradley founder
Portland, Oregon-based Provenance Hotels is teaming up with Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder, chief creative officer and director of Vera Bradley to develop a boutique hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Vera Bradley was founded. Plans call for a 120-room hotel with a ground-floor food-and-beverage offering and meeting spaces. Baekgaard will design the project, and Provenance will manage the property when it opens, which is projected for 2019.
Craft brewery partnerships prove profitable
Independent hoteliers are finding many opportunities to capitalize on the popularity of local craft beers, writes Hotel News Now’s Bryan Wroten. Whether it’s through partnerships or special projects, three independent hotels are making the most of their guests’ craft brew cravings:
- At the Ale House Inn in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, guests often use the hotel as a stop on their “beercation,” visiting other local breweries and bars. Staffers share their local tips with guests, and guests receive a complimentary craft beer when they arrive.
- The Jupiter Hotel in Portland, Oregon, knew their guests were interested in beers and distilleries, so they partnered with local businesses to create the PDX Brews and Booze Experience package at the hotel, which offers guests special discounts, a free growler fill-up and other perks.
- The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver (part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection), worked with a local brewery to create a honey saison beer for the hotel using honey from the property’s rooftop beehives. Property executives have since forged additional partnerships with brewers to create new brews and its own whiskey line.
New boutique for Austin
Austin’s South Congress neighborhood has a new boutique hotel in the works, pending city approval. According to a report in the Austin American-Statesman, Austin resident Kimber Cavendish is planning a second Kimber Modern hotel (she has one open in Austin). The three-story, new-build project will include 34 guestrooms and is on land owned by a local developer.
Madison attracts independent hotels
Marriott International has an AC Hotel in the works in Madison, Wisconsin, but several independent boutique hotels are in the works in the city as well, according to a report in The Capital Times.
- Provenance Hotels will manage the 120-room State Street in Madison, under development by Ascendant Holdings Real Estate of Madison and Milwaukee and Central Properties of Madison. The $30 million development calls for a new-build hotel to take the place of two existing properties.
- The King Hotel is a planned seven-story, 50-room independent hotel developed by local restaurateurs Josh Berkson and Patrick Sweeney. Construction has not begun, but plans call for a rooftop bar and underground music venue and event space.
- HotelRED, an existing boutique hotel near the University of Wisconsin campus, is looking to add 57 rooms to its current 48-room lineup to meet demand, according to the article.
Deals and developments
- Hotel Karlan in San Diego, California, completed a $12 million renovation of the 174-room resort property. In addition to renovating and redesigning all guestrooms, the hotel added a new dining concept, spa, fitness center and upgraded pool area.
- Oceans Edge Key West Hotel & Marina is scheduled to open this month in Key West, Florida, on Stock Island. The 175-room independent luxury hotel is located on the oceanfront and was developed by The Singh Company.
- The Adolphus in Dallas named Tauseen Malik GM, hotel operations. Most recently Malik was GM of Lakeway Resort and Spa in Austin, and he has held several executive positions around the world.
- BC Lynd Hospitality Group named David Siguaw director of sales and marketing for The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. He most recently served as sales and marketing director for the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, Florida.
- Benchmark named Matina Lapanaitis managing director for Mosaic Hotel and Maison 140, boutique hotels located in Beverly Hills, California.
- Crash Hotel opened earlier this month in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Venexo Capital developed the hotel in the city’s historic former Grand Hotel building.
Compiled by Stephanie Ricca.