Veteran hotel industry executive Eric Danziger announced his retirement Tuesday morning.
Danziger, who most recently served as CEO of Braintree Group and Resolute Road Hospitality, held former roles as CEO of Trump Hotel Group; president and CEO of Starwood Hotels; president and chief operating officer of Carlson Hotels Worldwide; and president and CEO of Wyndham Hotel Group.
Danziger will remain on Braintree Group’s board of directors “to ensure a seamless transition and allow for the continued benefit of his insights and expertise to the company,” a company news release states.
“After five decades in the hospitality industry, I reflect on a journey that embodies the very essence of the American dream,” Danziger said in the release. “From starting out as a bellman with humble beginnings to reaching the top as a CEO, each chapter has been a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Here’s to the dreams realized, challenges conquered, and cherished memories of a life dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences.”
Danziger started his hospitality career at the Fairmont San Francisco, where he was a bellman at the age of 17.
“What I remember most about my time at that hotel was realizing who the people are who make the hotel work,” he said in a 2018 interview with HNN. “For example, the importance of the bellmen was clear to me: They’re the ones who open the door and set the entire experience for the customer. That made me grow to respect the real people who run the real hotel.”
Danziger's first executive role was with DoubleTree Hotels, where he was part of the team that introduced giving guests a warm “DoubleTree cookie” at check-in.
Prior to joining Braintree Group in 2022, he served as CEO of Trump Hotel Group for six years. Danziger led the company during namesake Donald Trump’s tenure as U.S. president. Two hotel brands that were announced during Danziger’s run as CEO — Scion and American Idea — never came to fruition, and Trump’s run as president deterred some plans for further international expansion.