Human Resources

🏨 In 2023, Sage Hospitality Group took over management of the 106-room Benson Hotel & Faculty Club on the CU Anschutz medical campus in Aurora, Colorado. Developed by AIMCO, the hotel features four design themes inspired by Colorado's landscapes and includes The Faculty Club for academic leaders. The Benson serves as a gathering spot and offers amenities like The Common Good restaurant, a fitness center, and meeting spaces. The University of Colorado recently acquired the hotel to support campus activities.

📈 Thomas Agius Ferrante was appointed CEO of The Xara Collection in Malta, effective March 2026. Having grown up in Mdina, Ferrante brings extensive international hospitality experience, including tenures in London and Wales. He will work closely with Justin Zammit Tabona and Nicola Paris to enhance the group's heritage-led offerings, including The Xara Palace, Palazzino Belvedere, and Villa Barumbara Tal-Larinġ. Key culinary venues include de Mondion and Medina Restaurant, noted for their historic and innovative dining experiences.

💻 Ani Gujrathi joins Otelier as chief technology and product officer in Bethesda, Maryland. With over 20 years of experience, he previously held leadership roles at Conexiom, Zenoss, Kibo Commerce, Volusion, and Dell. Gujrathi will oversee engineering, product management, data, UX, and cloud operations at Otelier. The company focuses on modernizing platforms and integrating automation and AI for hoteliers. Rob Lawrence, CEO, highlights Gujrathi’s role in enhancing technical vision and operational discipline.

🏨 Dreamscape Hospitality has taken over management of two Marriott hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Houma in Houma, Louisiana, and Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Springdale in Springdale, Arkansas. Both are owned by Verge Hospitality Management LLC. The Courtyard serves southern Louisiana's business and leisure sectors, while the Fairfield caters to Northwest Arkansas's expanding region. Adam Patenaude of Dreamscape and Malik Kheraj of Verge emphasize operational excellence and guest experience to ensure long-term property success.

🏨 Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi, Curio Collection by Hilton, is set to open fall 2026 as Hilton's first lifestyle brand hotel in Hawaii. Located at Hōkūala Resort, Kauaʻi, this 210-room hotel will feature ocean, mountain, and lagoon views. Designed by Hart Howerton and Architects Hawai‘i, it includes a signature restaurant, an outdoor pool, and 12,000 sq. ft. of event space. General Manager Jon Itoga, with 15+ years of experience, will lead the preopening operations.

📈 Minor Hotels appoints Alexis Boudrand as Director of Development for France, the Netherlands, and several francophone markets. Based in Paris, Boudrand reports to Yuan Fang. With over 20 years of experience, Boudrand's career includes roles at Accor, JLL Hotels, and CBRE Hotels. The group’s 2026 growth strategy focuses on asset-light models, with 87% of the development pipeline utilizing franchise and management agreements to expand in mature markets.