First Hospitality has taken over management of five hotels across the United States, expanding its portfolio of full-service and lifestyle properties and moving into five new markets.
New properties and markets
The company announced the additions on Thursday, which include a mix of branded lifestyle hotels and historic properties: Sky Rock Sedona, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; The Steward Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; Hotel Northland, Autograph Collection in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Hotel Elkhart, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Elkhart, Indiana; and Le Méridien St. Louis Downtown.
Together, these properties broaden First Hospitality’s reach across several distinct leisure and urban travel destinations, from Sedona’s red-rock scenery to downtown St. Louis and Green Bay’s entertainment district.
What the hotels offer
Each property brings a particular character and set of amenities that align with the lifestyle positioning First Hospitality has emphasised in recent growth. Highlights provided in the announcement include:
- Sky Rock Sedona — a boutique lifestyle hotel with panoramic views of Sedona’s red rock formations, 109 accommodations, a resort-style pool and hot tub, on-site spa, wellness programming such as moonrise ceremonies and full-moon sound baths, and dining at Bar WooWoo.
- The Steward Santa Barbara — an 87-suite coastal retreat set on nearly five acres around the historic Sexton House, with a resort-style outdoor pool, locally inspired dining at Terra, wellness offerings like yoga and in-room massages, and generous indoor-outdoor gathering spaces.
- Hotel Northland, Autograph Collection — a historic 160-room hotel in downtown Green Bay featuring nearly 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and unique venues such as The Alley, which includes bowling lanes, shuffleboard and billiards.
Company perspective and strategy
“The addition of these hotels reflects the continued momentum of our lifestyle portfolio and the strength of the partnerships we’re building with ownership groups across the country,” said Kathleen Hollis, chief growth officer, First Hospitality.
Hollis added that the company is focused on preserving each property’s distinctive character while applying First Hospitality’s commercial strategy and operational expertise to help owners maximise long-term value and performance.
Why this matters
The deal illustrates two trends in hospitality: the continued demand for experiential, lifestyle-oriented stays and the role of third-party operators in revitalising and repositioning properties. Several of the hotels emphasise wellness, local culture and unique guest experiences — elements that have become central to lifestyle branding in the hotel industry.
For owners, partnering with an operator such as First Hospitality can mean access to specialised commercial strategies, centralised sales and marketing capabilities, and operational know-how that seek to increase occupancy, average daily rate and event revenue. For travellers, the changes may result in refreshed programming and services that lean into local attractions — from Sedona’s hiking and art scene to Santa Barbara’s beaches and wineries.
| Property | Brand/Collection | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Rock Sedona | Tribute Portfolio | Sedona, Arizona |
| The Steward Santa Barbara | Tribute Portfolio | Santa Barbara, California |
| Hotel Northland | Autograph Collection | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Hotel Elkhart | Tapestry Collection by Hilton | Elkhart, Indiana |
| Le Méridien St. Louis Downtown | Le Méridien | St. Louis, Missouri |
As the lifestyle hotel segment continues to evolve, the properties now under First Hospitality’s management are likely to be watched by owners and travellers alike for how well they balance local authenticity with brand standards and commercial performance.
First Hospitality’s statement underlines a commitment to retain the individuality of each property while applying its operational approach — a familiar promise in management transitions that will be tested as the company integrates these hotels into its broader portfolio.
