Home Blog

Spire Hospitality creates asset performance division, elevates Shozib Khan

Staff Writer
-
0
Spire Hospitality creates asset performance division, elevates Shozib Khan

Spire Hospitality has created a Strategic Asset Performance division to bring financial strategy, business intelligence, technology and hotel expertise closer to property-level decisions. The company promoted Shozib Khan to senior vice president to lead the new group, which will focus on identifying opportunities earlier, improving execution and supporting hotel owners’ asset value.

Key takeaways

  • The new division brings together financial planning, business intelligence, technology, AI and hotel resources.
  • Khan will lead the division and Spire’s AI and enterprise automation strategy.
  • Priorities include predictive financial planning, targeted support for hotels and stronger links between portfolio insights and on-property action.

A unified approach to hotel performance

Spire said the division is intended to connect financial and operating intelligence with decisions made at individual hotels. By combining data insights with hotel leadership, the company aims to spot potential performance issues and opportunities earlier, then direct resources toward the areas where they can make a difference.

The group will develop financial models to inform key decisions, provide executive oversight to selected hotels that need additional attention and make financial planning more predictive. The approach gives teams a clearer view of factors that may shape future results, while helping owners understand how operational choices align with their financial priorities.

Khan takes on expanded leadership role

Khan’s new responsibilities span information technology, hotel resources and transitions, brand resources, financial planning and hotel systems. He will also lead Spire’s AI and enterprise automation work and partner directly with ownership groups on hotel performance.

He brings more than 25 years of hospitality experience, including hotel operations earlier in his career. Before the promotion, he served as Spire’s vice president of owner services and previously led hotel performance and analytics. CEO Richard Sandoval said the new division creates clearer accountability for turning portfolio insights into actions that can improve results and strengthen asset value.

AI and automation built into operations

Spire plans to integrate AI and automation into the division’s day-to-day work rather than treat them as separate innovation projects. The company expects these tools to support more predictive forecasting, reduce legacy manual processes and help identify opportunities that could be harder to see through conventional reporting.

Khan said the aim is to move financial intelligence closer to hotel teams and respond quickly enough to influence outcomes, rather than simply explain results after the reporting period. For owners, that shift could mean a more proactive management partnership, with decisions and resources guided by both portfolio-wide data and conditions at each property.

Sources

Horseshoe Indianapolis to Add 140-Room Tapestry Collection Hotel in 2028

Staff Writer
-
0
Horseshoe Indianapolis to Add 140-Room Tapestry Collection Hotel in 2028

A new hotel planned beside Horseshoe Indianapolis will give visitors another way to stay close to the Shelbyville gaming and racing destination. HCW plans to develop a five-story, 140-room property under Hilton’s Tapestry Collection brand, with construction expected to start in fall 2026 and an opening targeted for spring 2028.

Key takeaways

The project pairs a boutique-style Hilton brand with amenities designed for resort guests, groups and leisure travelers.

  • The hotel will include 140 rooms and suites across 109,324 square feet.
  • Plans call for an infinity pool, restaurant and bar, fitness center, and two meeting rooms.
  • The property will sit directly adjacent to Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville.
  • Guests will be able to earn and use Hilton Honors benefits.

A hotel designed around the destination

HCW’s planned hotel will offer king rooms, double queen accommodations and suites. Its resort-style infinity pool will overlook the water and include seating, while an integrated restaurant and bar will provide outdoor poolside dining. A fitness center will round out the guest amenities.

For meetings and celebrations, the hotel is slated to have two flexible rooms totaling 1,648 square feet. Those spaces add a smaller-scale gathering option alongside the casino’s existing event facilities.

Opening timeline and location

Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2026, with the hotel expected to welcome guests in spring 2028. The site is directly next to Horseshoe Indianapolis, a Caesars Entertainment property in Shelbyville, Indiana, positioning hotel guests within easy reach of the resort’s gaming, racing, dining and entertainment.

The casino complex has about 106,000 square feet of gaming space, including 1,480 gaming machines and 80 table games, as well as a sportsbook, live racetrack and 22,000 square feet of meeting space. It hosts Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing during the year and is home to the Grade 3 Indiana Derby.

What the Tapestry brand brings

Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a soft brand, bringing the hotel into Hilton’s portfolio while connecting it with the independent character associated with the collection. Guests will have access to Hilton Honors, adding a familiar loyalty option for travelers planning a visit around a race, gaming or a group event.

The development is intended to serve destination visitors and support group and leisure travel in the Shelbyville area. Its location and planned amenities make it a useful addition to the resort experience, particularly for guests who want to stay on site rather than travel elsewhere after a full day of activities.

Sources

Bramble & Rye Brings Coastal Cooking and a Dog-Friendly Patio to Bloomingdale

Staff Writer
-
0
Bramble & Rye Brings Coastal Cooking and a Dog-Friendly Patio to Bloomingdale

Bramble & Rye, a new restaurant from married owners Anthony and Jeremiah Brooks, has opened in Bloomingdale at the former Établi space. Its “modern coastal” menu ranges from salmon crudo to wood-fired scallops, while a patio and four-dish menu for dogs give neighborhood diners a reason to bring their four-legged companions along.

Key takeaways

The opening pairs globally influenced cooking with a welcoming neighborhood focus, including a dedicated canine menu. Here are the essentials:

  • Bramble & Rye is at 84 T Street NW, near First Street.
  • The menu includes seafood, charcuterie, wood-fired vegetables and brisket.
  • Dogs can order from a special “paw-tio” menu on the restaurant’s patio.
  • The restaurant plans to host happy hour, Sunday brunch and the continuing Établi Wine Club.

A new chapter for the former Établi space

The restaurant opened last week, following Établi’s closure in August. Its former owners, Kathleen Davis and Thomas Boisvert, are silent partners in the new venture, and the Établi Wine Club will continue at Bramble & Rye. The Brookses, who live nearby, hope the restaurant becomes a comfortable local gathering place as well as a destination for diners from across the city.

A menu shaped by coastlines and global influences

Chef Jeremiah Brooks describes the approach as modern coastal cuisine, drawing on Mediterranean flavors and the Caribbean. The owners chose not to center the menu on pizza or pasta, mindful of nearby Bacio Pizzeria and The Red Hen, and instead put the kitchen’s large wood-fired oven to work across a broader range of dishes.

Guests can begin with customizable charcuterie boards, salmon crudo served with cantaloupe-and-serrano leche de tigre, or octopus carpaccio with white bean purée and preserved-lemon relish. Larger plates include fire-roasted scallops with celeriac and apple, wood-fired cauliflower steak, Creole shrimp scampi with Calabrian chili and cornbread, and coffee-rubbed brisket with charred leek chimichurri. That variety gives the menu an inviting mix of lighter seafood and more substantial options.

A patio designed for people and pets

The Brookses have three dogs of their own, and that experience helped shape the restaurant’s dog-friendly patio. Its “paw-tio” menu offers four house-made options for canine guests: wood-fired chicken and rice, puppy poke, peanut butter biscuits and a pup-sicle. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes the restaurant’s neighborhood-hangout ambitions feel especially welcoming to local dog owners.

Building a neighborhood destination

The couple brings years of restaurant experience to the project. They previously ran Hamilton’s on Main in Newark, Delaware, and Hamilton’s Tavern in Harpers Ferry; Jeremiah has also worked at Matchbox, while Anthony’s hospitality experience includes Rose’s Luxury and Barbouzard.

Alongside the wine club, the owners plan to offer happy hour and Sunday brunch. They hope Bramble & Rye can earn recognition beyond Bloomingdale, while keeping its focus on good food and a warm local atmosphere.

Sources

Osen Hospitality to Open Handroll Bar and Restaurant at Anaheim’s OCVIBE

Staff Writer
-
0
Osen Hospitality to Open Handroll Bar and Restaurant at Anaheim’s OCVIBE

Osen Hospitality Group will bring two Japanese dining concepts to OCVIBE, the 100-acre district taking shape around Anaheim’s Honda Center. Chef Damon Cho’s team plans to open a handroll bar in Katella Commons and a full-service restaurant in Urban Park, giving visitors options for both quick pre-event meals and longer visits.

Key takeaways

The two openings extend Osen’s approach to Japanese dining into distinct formats tailored to the district’s mix of visitors and occasions.

  • Osen Handroll is planned for Katella Commons, a two-story, 50,000-square-foot market hall.
  • Osen Urban Table will be a standalone restaurant in OCVIBE’s Urban Park.
  • The concepts are part of a growing dining lineup at the development, which is scheduled to begin welcoming guests in 2027.

Two concepts for different occasions

Osen Handroll is designed around a fast, social visit, with handrolls suited to a quick bite before a Honda Center game or performance. Osen Urban Table will offer a more leisurely, full-service experience, adapting the spirit of the group’s flagship Izakaya Osen into a casual restaurant intended to work from lunch through dinner.

The dual approach makes Osen the first culinary partner announced for both a Katella Commons stall and a standalone OCVIBE restaurant. Rather than stretching one restaurant format across every setting, the group is building two experiences around different ways people may spend time in the district.

Chef Damon Cho’s growing Southern California presence

Cho founded Osen Hospitality Group and brings more than 18 years of restaurant experience. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu California, he developed his background at hospitality destinations including Nobu, Four Seasons and Tao before opening Izakaya Osen in Silver Lake in 2017. The group added an Irvine location in 2022 and has further Southern California plans.

The new concepts carry forward the group’s emphasis on carefully prepared food and welcoming places to gather, while giving Cho an opportunity to serve both market-hall traffic and guests seeking a sit-down meal.

OCVIBE’s dining lineup and opening plans

Osen joins a broadening roster at Katella Commons that includes Amiga Amore, Burritos La Palma, Evil Cooks, Manaao Thai Comfort Food, MFK | Modern Filipino Kitchen, Gelato Paradiso and other food and beverage concepts. Chef Zach Scherer is also bringing OC Pizza Cult and Wanderfowl to the market hall. Elsewhere in the district, Chef Roy Choi is slated to open a Best Friend restaurant.

OCVIBE is backed by a $5 billion commitment from the Samueli Family. The district plans to begin welcoming guests in March 2027 with a 5,000-capacity concert hall, followed by Katella Commons, office space, parks and public art. Restaurants are expected to arrive toward the end of the year. When fully developed, OCVIBE is planned to include 20 acres of open space, more than 2,000 residences and over 35 dining experiences.

Fidelity Hotel Opens in Cincinnati’s Historic Gwynne Building

Staff Writer
-
0
Fidelity Hotel Opens in Cincinnati’s Historic Gwynne Building

Cincinnati’s new Fidelity Hotel has opened in the historic Gwynne Building, the former Procter & Gamble headquarters on Sixth Street. The boutique property brings a new hospitality use to a landmark downtown address, offering visitors a chance to experience a building with a notable place in the city’s history.

Key takeaways

Fidelity Hotel’s opening adds a boutique stay option to downtown Cincinnati while giving new life to a prominent historic building.

  • The hotel is in the Beaux-Arts Gwynne Building on Sixth Street.
  • The building formerly served as Procter & Gamble’s headquarters.
  • The hotel opened Tuesday, according to local reporting.

A new stay in a landmark building

The opening places the Fidelity Hotel inside the Gwynne Building, a Beaux-Arts structure in downtown Cincinnati. The address connects the hotel to the city’s business history while giving the landmark a fresh role as a place for travelers to stay.

The project offers a welcome example of how historic buildings can remain part of daily city life. Rather than serving only as a reminder of Cincinnati’s past, the building now has a new purpose for guests and downtown visitors.

What the opening means for downtown

A boutique hotel can add energy to a neighborhood by bringing overnight guests closer to its businesses, restaurants and cultural destinations. Fidelity Hotel’s arrival contributes another option for people visiting Cincinnati, as well as a reason to look anew at the architecture along Sixth Street.

The available opening report identifies the property and its historic setting, but does not provide further confirmed details about amenities, room features or dining. For now, the notable news is the hotel’s debut in a building that pairs a fresh hospitality chapter with a distinctly Cincinnati backstory.

Monteverde Team to Bring Trattoria Lo So to Bucktown in 2027

Staff Writer
-
0
Monteverde Team to Bring Trattoria Lo So to Bucktown in 2027

The team behind West Loop favorite Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio is expanding north with Trattoria Lo So, a new Italian restaurant planned for Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. Chef Sarah Grueneberg and partners Jaime Canete and Rob Mosher expect the 120-seat restaurant to open at 2044 W. Armitage Ave. in early 2027.

Key takeaways

  • Trattoria Lo So is planned for the former Jack & Ginger’s space at 2044 W. Armitage Ave.
  • The 120-seat restaurant will include a 17-seat bar and a custom skylight.
  • Monteverde executive chef Bailey Sullivan will lead the culinary direction.
  • Dried Italian pasta, grilled dishes and wood-fired preparations will anchor the menu.
  • The restaurant is targeting an early 2027 opening.

A new chapter for the Monteverde team

Trattoria Lo So will be the second restaurant from Grueneberg, Canete and Mosher, whose Monteverde has become one of Chicago’s most celebrated Italian destinations since opening in 2015. The Bucktown project offers the group a chance to reinterpret Italian dining in a neighborhood setting while building on the team’s long-standing focus on pasta and regional Italian cooking.

The name roughly translates to “the trattoria I know,” reflecting Grueneberg’s personal take on the traditional Italian eatery. The concept is designed to feel soulful and welcoming, with a menu that balances familiar trattoria traditions with the team’s thoughtful culinary perspective.

Pasta will be central to the menu

Dried pasta from Mancini Pastificio Agricolo, an Italian producer, is expected to play a starring role. Grueneberg and Sullivan plan to highlight the “pasta marriage ceremony,” an Italian technique in which pasta finishes cooking directly in its sauce so the two elements come together more fully.

The restaurant will also serve fresh pastas prepared al forno in a wood-fired oven. Menu details are still being finalized, giving the kitchen room to shape a lineup around seasonal ingredients and the team’s evolving vision.

Grilled dishes and Italian drinks

Alongside pasta, the menu will feature meat, fish and vegetables prepared over a robata-style grill, a charcoal cooking method that can add a deep, smoky character to simple ingredients. The combination should give the restaurant a broader range of offerings for casual meals, celebrations and neighborhood dinners.

Guests can also expect wines, artisanal spirits and amari from small producers in Italy and the United States. Like Monteverde, Trattoria Lo So will include a custom batteria, a collection of barrels used to age balsamic vinegar and add a distinctive house-made touch.

A Bucktown location with room to gather

The restaurant is being built in the former Jack & Ginger’s space, which has been under construction as the team transforms it into a 120-seat dining room. Plans call for a 17-seat bar, a custom skylight and design elements inspired by traditional Italian architecture.

Trattoria Lo So will join an active Bucktown dining scene that includes Class Act, Pompette, Mirra and longtime neighborhood favorite Le Bouchon. With an experienced team, a strong pasta identity and a spacious setting, the new restaurant is poised to become a welcome addition when it opens in early 2027.

Sources

Newcastle Red Bulls Open a Simpler Route to Matchday Hospitality

Staff Writer
-
0
Newcastle Red Bulls Open a Simpler Route to Matchday Hospitality

Newcastle Red Bulls has launched a new online hospitality booking experience designed to make reservations easier and improve access for supporters, businesses and guests. The digital service gives visitors a more convenient way to explore hospitality opportunities and secure places for upcoming events, bringing a smoother booking journey to the club’s matchday offering.

Key takeaways

  • Newcastle Red Bulls’ hospitality reservations are now available online.
  • The new experience is intended to make booking simpler and more accessible.
  • Supporters and organisations can review hospitality opportunities through a digital-first process.
  • The launch supports a more convenient, guest-focused matchday experience.

This move reflects a wider shift in how fans plan live sporting experiences. Hospitality is often arranged for important occasions, client entertainment or group outings, so giving people a clearer route to reservations can remove friction before the event even begins.

A more accessible way to plan matchday experiences

The new booking experience places hospitality reservations online, allowing prospective guests to begin the process digitally rather than relying on a less direct enquiry journey. That added convenience can be especially useful for people organising visits around busy schedules or coordinating plans with colleagues, friends and family.

For Newcastle Red Bulls, the change also creates a more welcoming first step for new visitors. A straightforward online journey can help more people understand what is available and decide whether a hospitality experience suits their plans.

Hospitality designed around the occasion

Hospitality can add a more comfortable and memorable dimension to a sporting event. It may appeal to supporters marking a special occasion, companies hosting guests or groups looking to turn a fixture into a fuller day out. Easier online access gives each audience a practical starting point for making those arrangements.

The value of the launch lies in that combination of access and flexibility. When booking information is easier to reach, guests have more opportunity to plan ahead and choose an experience that fits their needs.

A positive step for the club and its guests

A digital booking platform is more than an administrative update. It signals attention to the complete customer journey, from the first search through to arrival on matchday. By simplifying reservations, Newcastle Red Bulls is making it easier for people to engage with its hospitality offering on their own terms.

That is an encouraging development for a club seeking to build stronger connections with its audience. A well-organised hospitality experience can help supporters feel valued, while giving businesses and groups a polished setting in which to share a live sporting occasion.

What the launch means next

With online hospitality booking now available, Newcastle Red Bulls has created a clearer path for guests considering future events. The platform should make it easier to move from interest to planning, helping more visitors discover the advantages of enjoying matchday in a hospitality setting.

The result is a practical, upbeat improvement: fewer barriers to reservations and a more accessible way to experience Newcastle Red Bulls.

Crowne Plaza Brings a New 685-Room Flagship to Times Square

Staff Writer
-
0
Crowne Plaza Brings a New 685-Room Flagship to Times Square

Crowne Plaza has opened a new flagship hotel in Manhattan’s Times Square district, adding 685 guestrooms, flexible social spaces, dining and event facilities to one of New York City’s busiest neighborhoods. Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square also renews a building with World’s Fair heritage while positioning the brand for its next phase of global growth.

Key takeaways

  • The 22-story hotel offers 685 guestrooms near Broadway, Rockefeller Center and Central Park.
  • The property was developed by ARTIC and is managed by Highgate.
  • Dining, coworking-style spaces, wellness programming and event facilities support both leisure and business travelers.
  • The opening advances Crowne Plaza’s wider expansion across international markets.

The Times Square location gives the hotel an immediate advantage for visitors who want Broadway entertainment, major attractions and Midtown business districts within easy reach. Its design and programming are intended to make the property useful beyond a traditional overnight stay, especially for travelers combining work and personal time.

A landmark property reimagined

Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square occupies a building originally constructed for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. ARTIC, the development company behind the project, sought to update the landmark while preserving elements of its original character. Highgate is responsible for managing the hotel.

The opening reflects ARTIC’s broader interest in the United States as a priority market. The company plans to continue investing in existing properties while assessing additional opportunities, giving this New York launch significance beyond the hotel itself.

Spaces designed for flexible stays

At the center of the guest experience is Fifty-First Street Social, a bar and restaurant designed to shift naturally from morning coffee to evening drinks. A 24-hour marketplace provides grab-and-go meals and travel essentials, an especially practical feature in a neighborhood where many guests keep unconventional schedules.

The hotel also includes meeting and event facilities for business travelers. The Studio offers a smaller setting for focused gatherings, while the upper-floor Manhattan Level features expansive suites and broad skyline views. The Broadway Suite, located on the 22nd floor, adds a private terrace and penthouse-style experience.

Large murals and artwork by Tiago Magro bring a distinctive visual identity to the property. Crowne Plaza’s Weekly Socials and Daily Rituals programming further connects food, drink and wellness activities with the energy of the destination.

A flagship for blended travel

Ginger Taggart, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ vice president of brand management for global premium brands, said the hotel follows Crowne Plaza’s New Modern design philosophy. The approach emphasizes flexible social areas, elevated food and beverage options and experiences suited to guests who mix professional responsibilities with leisure.

That positioning feels particularly relevant in New York, where a conference, client meeting or business trip can easily extend into a Broadway show, a restaurant reservation or a weekend of sightseeing. The hotel’s combination of workspaces, social venues and city views gives travelers more reasons to remain on property between excursions.

Crowne Plaza continues its expansion

Crowne Plaza now has more than 400 hotels operating worldwide and nearly 150 additional properties in its pipeline. Around half of its current portfolio is newly built or recently renovated. IHG expects the brand to add more than 36,000 rooms in the coming years, expanding its footprint by more than one-third.

The Times Square flagship therefore arrives as both a major New York opening and a visible statement of where the brand is headed: toward hotels that accommodate changing travel patterns while offering a stronger sense of place. In a city filled with familiar addresses, its World’s Fair connection and contemporary guest spaces provide a welcome point of difference.

Sources

Mill Avenue’s next chapter: Nine new restaurants and bars are on the way

Staff Writer
-
0
Mill Avenue’s next chapter: Nine new restaurants and bars are on the way

Downtown Tempe’s Mill Avenue is entering another lively phase, with nine planned restaurants and bars joining a recently opened Roman-inspired destination. The upcoming lineup ranges from burger counters and ice cream to craft beer, arcade games, sports and tropical cocktails, giving locals and visitors more reasons to linger around the district.

Key takeaways

  • Nine restaurants and bars are planned for Mill Avenue and nearby downtown Tempe streets.
  • Roman God of Fire is now open, with the connected Mea Culpa lounge expected next.
  • New concepts will add burgers, Thai food, ice cream, pizza, cocktails, sports and arcade entertainment.

The openings reflect Mill Avenue’s continued shift toward destination dining and entertainment. Longtime casual favorites are making room for chef-led restaurants, polished lounges and venues designed to keep guests downtown well beyond a meal.

A theatrical new anchor

Roman God of Fire opened July 31 at Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. Created by Pretty Decent Concepts with a menu developed by chef Scott Conant, the restaurant centers on ancient Roman-inspired food, including handmade pasta, Roman-style wood-fired pizza and steaks seasoned with fennel and Aleppo pepper.

The dramatic setting features towering statues, marble tables and low lighting. Its neighboring speakeasy, Mea Culpa, is scheduled to open Sept. 25. Guests will enter through a playful “confessional” experience before finding a modern cocktail lounge with light bites and weekend DJs.

Burgers, tacos and a new Glai Baan concept

Culinary Gangster is scheduled for Aug. 27 below Varsity Tavern at Mill Avenue and Fifth Street. The Valley burger chain will serve stacked burgers alongside quinoa bowls, salads, wraps, breakfast items and loaded fries.

Carmen, from restaurateur Julian Wright, is expected in late September or early October. Its tropical design will include tiki huts, bamboo and open-air spaces, while the menu will focus on Asian-fusion tacos, seafood and meat-based small plates paired with agave spirits.

Also expected in October is an unnamed restaurant from Glai Baan owners Cat Bunnag and Dan Robinson. The concept will occupy the historic Gov. Benjamin B. Moeur House and Hatton Hall near Seventh Street and Myrtle Avenue. Details remain limited, though the owners say it will differ from their acclaimed Phoenix Thai restaurant.

Ice cream, pizza and local beer

Novel Ice Cream will open in October inside the relocated House of Tricks bungalow. Its signature Dough Melt combines a warm glazed doughnut, house-made ice cream and crunchy cereal toppings. Guests will also be able to choose rotating flavors in cups, cones or tasting flights.

Phantom Fox Beer Co. and Goat and Ram are targeting an Oct. 8 opening in the former Illegal Pete’s space. The Mesa brewery and pizzeria will bring 20 taps, including Phantom Fox and Cider Corps pours, plus pizza, wings, cocktails, loaded fries, outdoor seating and screens for sports.

Sports bars and arcade entertainment

RePUBLic, from C.A.S.A. creator Scott Price, is planned for this fall near Sixth Street. The Irish sports bar will use pool tables from the former Mill Cue Club, preserving a piece of Mill Avenue history while adding a neighborhood-pub atmosphere.

Price is also developing Slab City Bar & Grill in the former Shady Park space on University Drive. The menu is expected to feature burgers and steaks cooked in beef tallow, along with beer, wine and cocktails.

Level 1 Arcade Bar has announced a future Tempe location at Mill Avenue and University Drive. The 5,000-square-foot venue will offer vintage arcade games, pinball, burgers, tacos, fried desserts, draft beer and signature cocktails. Together, these projects suggest downtown Tempe’s dining scene is becoming broader, more playful and better equipped for an evening out.

Sources

Highline Hospitality Adds Riverwalk Momentum With Dual-Branded Marriott Acquisition

Staff Writer
-
0
Highline Hospitality Adds Riverwalk Momentum With Dual-Branded Marriott Acquisition

Highline Hospitality Partners has expanded its hotel portfolio with the acquisition of the dual-branded AC Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk and Element San Antonio Riverwalk. The transaction brings two complementary Marriott-branded lodging concepts into the firm’s growing collection and establishes a new foothold in San Antonio’s active Riverwalk West district.

Key takeaways

  • The acquisition marks Highline Hospitality Partners’ 20th and 21st hotel investments.
  • The property combines 181 AC Hotel guestrooms with 162 extended-stay Element units.
  • Avion Hospitality will manage the hotels.
  • The acquisition lifts Highline’s portfolio to 21 hotels and more than 5,500 guestrooms.

A strategic entry into San Antonio

The acquisition gives Highline Hospitality Partners an opportunity to participate in one of San Antonio’s most recognizable visitor destinations. The hotels sit steps from the Riverwalk in the Riverwalk West submarket, an area positioned for continued investment and development.

For travelers, the location offers easy access to downtown attractions, dining and entertainment. For the owner, the pairing creates a well-positioned asset in a market that serves leisure guests, business travelers and extended-stay visitors throughout the year.

Two hotel concepts in one property

The property was originally built as an office building in 1983 before undergoing an adaptive-reuse redevelopment from 2019 through 2022. Its current design places the AC Hotel across floors 13 through 20, with 181 guestrooms, while Element occupies floors 7 through 12 with 162 suites designed for longer stays.

Element’s accommodations include full-service kitchenettes and sleeper sofas, giving guests more flexibility for extended visits. The AC Hotel, meanwhile, brings a contemporary lifestyle offering that complements the city’s energetic downtown setting.

Amenities support a broader guest experience

The dual-branded property includes two full-service food and beverage outlets, including 1Watson, a rooftop restaurant and bar on the 15th floor. Its elevated setting adds a distinctive gathering place for hotel guests and local diners alike.

Additional amenities include 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a fitness center and a business center. The building also retains 60,000 square feet of office space on floors 3 through 6 and 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, reinforcing its mixed-use character.

Highline continues an active growth strategy

This is Highline’s fourth and fifth hotel acquisition of the year, following purchases in Pittsburgh, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Greenville. With the San Antonio transaction, the platform now owns 21 hotels representing approximately $1.7 billion in hospitality assets under management.

Highline also provides third-party asset management for four additional hotels, bringing its total oversight to 25 properties. Avion Hospitality will manage the San Antonio hotels, extending an existing relationship between the two companies and supporting the property’s next phase of operations.

The acquisition arrives as the recently renovated hotels offer a fresh foundation for growth. Their combination of new-condition accommodations, flexible meeting space, rooftop dining and extended-stay functionality gives Highline a promising platform in a city where hospitality continues to benefit from strong visitor appeal.

Sources

123...12Page 1 of 12