Though prices may be comparable , that ’ s about all the crossover that exists between the two companies .
“ We ’ ve solved some of their problems – like a brand that ’ s out of date , easy online booking , comfort ,” says Dipaola . “ We ’ re using all the modern hotel tools , like demand pricing and unique technology , and applying those to the camping model .”
Sustainability drives Dipaola ’ s personal philosophy and his business standards . In 2007 , he founded Mesa Lane Partners , a California-based real estate development , management and hospitality group . It was out of a 2013 Mesa Lane experiment – the installation of five airstream trailers in front of a Santa Barbara mobile-home park – that AutoCamp was born .
At the time , the group was praised for pulling this off without evicting any existing tenants , many of whom were elderly and on fixed incomes .
“ That ’ s the goal of our company : not be evil and try to improve the world ,” says Dipaola .
LESS IS MORE His evil-battling instincts partly come from a background in environmental studies ( Dipaola ’ s college major ) and partly from a family upbringing that emphasized respect .
“ Conventionally when I think about real estate development , I think of the Mr . Burns character , like this indifferent old man at the top of the tower bulldozing strawberry fields ,” Dipaola continues , laughing . “ So I thought , what if I could be in that position but instead turn the paradigm upside down ?” AutoCamp has since launched a second , larger site in Russian River , an area north of San Francisco complete with 24 Airstream trailers , 10 luxury canvas tents , and a midcentury modern clubhouse from Dan Weber Architecture .
Additionally Dipaola says he ’ s planning three to five new locations over the next two years , mostly along the west coast . He ’ s also betting on Asia , which , with its hunger for American brands , he says he sees as a solid fit for the brand .
Though it doesn ’ t have the brick and mortar of a traditional hotel , AutoCamp ’ s model still is solidly rooted in old school hotelier values . ( Data collection and high quality product offerings are both huge ). But the company has gone out of its way to invest in new technologies , like software that allows AutoCamp to track occupancy at each site and then transport individual trailers to meet demand .
In terms of luxury , AutoCamp doesn ’ t skimp : Sites come decked out with pillow-top mattresses , bath products by New York-based Malin + Goetz , and spa-inspired bathrooms . At Russian River ’ s clubhouse , guests are encouraged to sit around a communal fire , roasting gourmet s ’ mores and tipping back local wine .
But “ less is more ,” Dipaola advises traditional hoteliers . Though AutoCamp provides high-end comforts , guests end up gravitating to less tangible offerings like hiking , which 94 % rated as their top AutoCamp amenity .
“ It ' s a great idea whose time has come ,” says Mike Depatie , former CEO of Kimpton Hotels . “ Travelers these days are looking for unique and authentic experiences and AutoCamp provides exactly that . It ' s clear that their understanding of their target market and attention to detail gives them an edge in the outdoor hospitality space .”
“ Neil ' s passion for AutoCamp and the greater outdoors are very clear ,” Depatie says . “ His focus and unrelenting drive make him a natural leader .”
Though current AutoCamp stays skew pricy , Dipaola , a proponent of affordable housing , says customers will also soon have cheaper “ walk-in ” options for the site ’ s tents and potentially for its RVs .
“ We think there ’ s a need between what KOA offers and what we currently offer to provide all types of outdoor experiences ,” Dipaola says . “ We want to let people have their own adventure and if that ’ s the adventure they want , we want to make it the best it can be .”
An Airstream trailer at AutoCamp ' s Russian River location
“ THAT ’ S THE GOAL OF OUR COMPANY : NOT BE EVIL AND TRY TO IMPROVE THE WORLD .”
– NEIL DIPAOLA
April 2017 hotelsmag . com 55