Ed Brock is an award-winning journalist who has worked for various U.S. newspapers and magazines, including with American City & County magazine, a national publication based in Atlanta focused on city and county government issues. He is currently senior editor at Asian Hospitality magazine, the top U.S. publication for Asian American hoteliers. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Ed began his career in journalism in the early 1990s as a reporter for a chain of weekly newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama. After a stint teaching English in Japan, Ed returned to the U.S. and moved to the Atlanta area where he returned to journalism, coming to work at Asian Hospitality in 2016.
VISION HOSPITALITY GROUP will celebrate its 25th anniversary in April. The company, led by Mitch Patel as president and CEO, is now making plans for the next quarter century.
Founded in 1997, Vision Hospitality began with a Homewood Suites by Hilton, Chattanooga/Hamilton Place Patel developed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the company is still headquartered. Then, as the U.S. economy struggled to overcome the 9/11 attacks of 2001, Patel went on to develop 10 more hotels.
“Here, VHG learned agility and how to pivot, gaining a deeper understanding of how to successfully adapt to the ebb and flow of the hospitality and financial industries,” the company said in a statement. “These lessons, along with a solid foundation of core values – dedication, integrity, respect, excellence, community, teamwork, and spirit – were the guiding principles that led to continued growth through the Great Recession and the unprecedented challenges of the last few years.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country in 2020 and 2021, VHG launched eight new hotels, including The Grady in Louisville, Kentucky, and Kinley Hotels in Cincinnati and Chattanooga. In November, The Grady and the Kinley Cincinnati Downtown won different categories of last year’s StayBoutique Awards by the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association.
“As we approach two-and-a-half decades of sustained growth, we feel our success is a product of a strong vision to recognize and leverage opportunities in all economic environments,” Patel said. “We look ahead toward continued, thoughtful growth and abundant opportunities for our partners and stakeholders in the years to come.”
Also in 2021, VHG introduced its subsidiary, Humanist Hospitality, as an operator of hotel and restaurant brands. Humanist provides a turn-key solution for hotel management, including human resources, sales and marketing, revenue management, as well as rooftop bars and restaurant operations.
VHG also focuses on social responsibility and environmental consciousness practices, which impact the communities and the hospitality industry at large. Its leadership and employees share an investment in the company’s culture, according to the company. Patel said they do have plans to mark the occasion.
“We are excited to mark our 25th year in April with our partners, executives, hotel leaders and families with a celebration gala at one of Chattanooga’s beloved landmarks, The Hunter Museum of American Art,” he said. “Other celebrations and events will continue throughout the year to express our commitment of giving back to the communities we serve and those who serve them.”
As VHG’s market cap approaches $1 billion, Patel plans to expand the company’s footprint through strategic investments, acquisitions, and repositioning opportunities. He also aims to continue working with current partners as well as building new relationships in targeted markets.
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
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