Human Resources

🏨 Airbnb appoints Jesse Stein as head of hotels to expand its boutique hospitality offerings. Stein, with Airbnb since 2020, will integrate independent hotels into the platform and optimize the hotel experience, identified as a growth lever for 2026. With previous roles at KHP Capital Partners, Kimpton Hotels, Wyndham, and Starwood, Stein aims to forge partnerships and improve hotel listings. His focus is on bringing boutique and independent hospitality globally.

🏨 Javier Águila's appointment as Global President of Hyatt's all-inclusive portfolio in March 2025 marks a significant milestone. The Inclusive Collection now features over 150 resorts and 55,000 rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Maria Zarraluqui joins to spearhead asset-light growth. Hyatt's strategic acquisitions, such as Playa Hotels & Resorts, bolster its portfolio. Recent openings include Secrets Playa Esmeralda and Secrets St. Lucia, with plans for Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana by 2026.

📈 PHILADELPHIA, January 2026: HHM Hotels appoints Luke Callinan as Senior VP of Investments and Alexandra Lalos Church as Senior VP of Business Development. The company has expanded its investments with over 30 joint ventures and added over 12 third-party management deals recently. Callinan, former principal at Kasa Living, and Lalos Church, previously managing director at Hodges Ward Elliott, join to enhance investment strategies and growth opportunities.

📈 Inn-Flow, Cary, N.C., announced strategic leadership changes for 2026 with Lee Bridges as Chief Product Officer and Daniel Scagnelli as Senior VP of Customer Experience, to enhance hotel industry growth. Bridges, with 15 years in SaaS, excels in AI and fintech, previously aiding XOi's $230M capital raise. Scagnelli, with over 15 years in SaaS, improved customer retention at Spreedly. These appointments coincide with Inn-Flow's 2026 HotelTechAwards recognition, bolstering their back-office platform for hotels.

🏖 Evolution Hospitality takes over management of Balfour Miami Beach, an 82-room boutique hotel in the South of Fifth neighborhood, part of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. The Art Deco hotel, designed by Anton Skislewicz, has been operating since 1940. FullG CRE Investments selected Evolution Hospitality for its expertise with luxury hotels. The property features the Laurel Miami restaurant and SoFi Coffee cafe. Aimbridge Hospitality’s subsidiary aims to enhance profitability and brand value.

🏨 Evolution Hospitality, part of Aimbridge Hospitality, has taken over management of the 82-room Balfour Miami Beach, an Art Deco hotel since 1940 in SoFi, Miami Beach, Florida. Chosen by FullG CRE Investments for their expertise with luxury lifestyle hotels, Evolution aims to elevate the hotel's brand. Balfour Miami Beach is near Ocean Drive and home to Laurel Miami and SoFi Coffee. The hotel recently joined Wyndham's Registry Collection.

🏠 Carlos Rodriguez Jr. has been appointed CEO of Driftwood Capital, succeeding his father, Carlos Rodriguez Sr., who co-founded the firm in 2015 and will continue as executive chairman. Over the past decade, Driftwood Capital has expanded significantly, managing approximately $3.5 billion in hospitality assets and over 80 hotels. The firm has more than $1 billion in projects under development and has participated in over $2 billion in loan originations.

🏨 Crestline Hotels & Resorts announced its management of the 236-guestroom Hotel Spero, Vignette Collection by IHG in San Francisco’s Union Square. Originally built in the 1920s, the hotel preserves its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It features 3,000 square feet for events and a 24/7 fitness center. Crestline now manages nine hotels in California. The signature restaurant is set for a transformation, aiming to become a popular spot for visitors and locals.

🏨 Pellicano Hotels Group appointed Edward Leenders as the new general manager of Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole, Italy. Leenders, from the Netherlands, brings over 25 years in hospitality, with roles at Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria, Hotel De L’Europe, and 10 years with Rocco Forte Hotels. Educated at Hotel School The Hague and Cornell University, he has global experience, including the US, Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.

📆 Carlos Rodriguez Jr. has been appointed CEO of Driftwood Capital as of January 2026 in Miami, Florida. Driftwood Capital, co-founded with Carlos Rodriguez Sr. in 2015, manages approximately $3.5 billion in hospitality assets and has over $1 billion in active projects. The firm oversees more than 80 hotels through Driftwood Hospitality Management. Rodriguez Sr. will continue as Executive Chairman, focusing on long-term strategy and relationships.