GLOBAL UPDATE
Ocean House in Watch Hill , Rhode Island , has become one of the few year-round
New England resorts with a big culinary focus and a high-season ADR at
US $ 1,550 a night .
OLD SCHOOL
IN RHODE ISLAND
Daniel Hostettler , president and managing director of Ocean House Management ( OHM ) in Westerly , Rhode Island , is in the enviable position of having an owner who loves to give back to the community and spares little expense in developing his collection of iconic inns . In return , Hostettler can deliver genteel , old-school charm with some modern management techniques .
OHM manages two hotels for owner Charles Royce , founder of the Royce Funds in New York City . The Ocean House opened twoplus years ago on the ocean in Watch Hill , Rhode Island , and the Weekapaug Inn just completed its first high season just 8 miles ( 13 km ) down the road . OHM is in the midst of launching the Cottage Collection of residential rentals , which include privileges at the resorts , as well as a nearby farm to provide true farm-to-table F & B experiences . OHM just bought another nearby motor court hotel that will close for a two-year refurbishment to create a series of upscale one- and two-bedroom cottages .
Hostettler says he and Royce are also in the middle of negotiations with a developer to create and manage a redeveloped historic building on the oceanfront in Connecticut , and would like to add a few more classically styled resorts in New England . Hostettler says they are also toying with the idea of buying some Amtrak railway cars , redoing the interiors , providing concierge service and hooking them to the back of New England regional routes that come up from New York City ’ s Penn Station on weekends .
Hostettler , a 20-year luxury hotel veteran who came to OHM in 2009 from Lajitas in Texas , has been the architect of the culture at the Ocean House after a US $ 150 million rebuild and restoration of the 136-year-old , 60-key property . What Hostettler calls Americana service with a cruise-ship mentality includes farm-totable dining ; a no tipping policy ; free minibar and Wi-Fi services ; and a resort fee that includes spa , F & B and cultural amenities . As a result , the Ocean House has become one of the few year-round New England resorts with a big culinary focus and a high-season ADR at US $ 1,550 a night .
The naturalism-themed , 31-room Weekapaug Inn on a salt water pond was redeveloped for a mere US $ 30 million and is fetching US $ 800 ADRs during the strong summer months .
Hostettler does admit to one challenge : recruiting 5-star-caliber staff to Rhode Island . But after winning a fifth star from Forbes Travel and becoming a Relais & Chateaux property , even that issue has abated .
NOVO-AMERICAN
The redesign of the 480-room Novotel Times Square , the brand ’ s new North American flagship , was led by New Yorkbased design firm Stonehill & Taylor and reflects a futuristic design inspired by a celebration of renewal — a reference to Times Square ’ s pop-culture significance as the host of New Year ’ s Eve activities — incorporating architecture , video and light effects . Computer-controlled hexagonal LED ceiling panels illuminate in different colors , complementing changing music and sounds throughout the day .
16 HOTELS December 2013 www . hotelsmag . com