17 Comments
User's avatar
Emily @ Elevate Hospitality's avatar

I think you just did a better job then my 4-years of Penn State ;) This only made me want to connect further with you more. One additional distinction - that has blown my mind - especially in the US (Oh did I mention I just worked for an ownership/management group..) the brands aren't typically managing anymore - unless it's high end full service. There are a HUGE amount of 3rd party managers. I tell this to friends all the time who want to get mad at Hilton for a bad stay. The bad stay was not Hilton's 'fault' Hilton is a franchisor. The owner and/or management company are really in charge of the guest experience....

The Upgrade | Anne Marie's avatar

True! We worked with Springboard Hospitality as our manager partner for the Hilton Garden Inn. I totally left that part out 🙈

Emma Näpänkangas's avatar

Yup white label management is huge! More control over operations because the white label companies are more likely to have the best interest of the owner in mind compared to brands/global chains

TIFFANI Torrence's avatar

Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed your piece. I used to be head of PR for Omni Hotels & Resorts. Omni is the owner/operator of almost all its 50+ hotels. Those hotels you mentioned that KSL used to own are now owned by Omni’s parent company TRT Holdings. Omni is the owner operator and brand of Omni Grove Park Inn, Omni Barton Creek and Omni Rancho Las Palmas and Omni Homestead. Omni invested $155M in Homestead’s restoration. Again, your piece is perfect for PRS entering into the hospitality space.

The Upgrade | Anne Marie's avatar

Amazing! I’m so glad you enjoyed my piece. I think I’ll tackle hotel categories next. I saw that TRT just purchased the Greenbrier past-due loans. I’m curious your thoughts on that acquisition?

Nadine @ The Stanza's avatar

This was great! I'm curious to know how much KSL bought Outrigger for, and how much of that value was attributed to the opco vs propco?

The Upgrade | Anne Marie's avatar

I don’t think the sale price has ever been shared publicly, but it was close to $1B for 36 properties. Outrigger / KSL sold 6 properties two years after the sale for $310M if that helps. The Reef was owned in a fee simple structure. The majority of the value was in the opco (brand and management).

Nadine @ The Stanza's avatar

that’s amazing!! thanks for sharing :)

Emma Näpänkangas's avatar

A great rundown!! I wrote my master’s thesis on how operating models are evolving and these ownership structures are such an interesting topic that totally reflect the sophistication (industry-specific knowledge) of owners and investors

The Upgrade | Anne Marie's avatar

Oh so fun! I’d love to see you do a post with some pieces of your thesis

Emma Näpänkangas's avatar

I should!!!

Alex & Beyond's avatar

Really great explanation of this super complicated space!

The Upgrade | Anne Marie's avatar

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Did you learn anything new?

Alex & Beyond's avatar

Yeah I was already familiar with the franchise structure but how the others work is new to me

StĂŠphanie Bonnet's avatar

Thanks for the explanation. Intuitively I knew why some hotels work better for me and why I avoid the big names but this  follow the money  explanation now gives me the rationale for it!

The Upgrade | Anne Marie's avatar

It’s a complex system of different ownership models, but definitely try to stay in owner operated hotels for a more streamlined experience

Leah Nanpei's avatar

Smart article because as you point out, ownership is not understood but affects the whole experience.