Founded in 2011 and with a portfolio that ranges from 25-room wellness centers to 350-room full-service resorts , city centers and rural outposts , Warner says the group ’ s focus is on how EPHP hotels fit into their locales in natural , symbiotic ways . “ We started putting out all of this material on our hotels and the communities in which they exist ,” he explains . “ We started telling stories about the communities and how they are tied into the hotel , and how the hotels are tied into communities , creating this really amazing ecosystem .”
These stories come together by having the hotel teams immerse themselves into the daily life of their communities , by living there and spending time getting to know local vendors and townsfolk . Warner says that he and his team continually work on perfecting this approach , which includes “ Kulture Collective ” programming in EPHP hotel lobbies , for example . “ You begin to say to yourself , ‘ how am I going to make the world a better place and what are my resources ?” Warner asks .
He says the method for developing meaningful connections can be as simple as the way that EPHP trains its guests and staff to interact . “ It ’ s simple phrases like , ‘ oh , Mr . Smith , I hope you enjoyed your meal . By the way , the farmer who grew the lettuce for your salad today , Ira , is going to be in the lobby from 4 p . m . to 5 p . m ., talking about his method of growing watercress … I know there are other guests going .’ Then , suddenly , you go , you learn about how the watercress was made in a biodynamic manner , you meet three or four other people , and you develop a bond with them .”
Warner adds that it doesn ’ t matter if this is what guests want to participate or not – it just must be an opportunity for them to do it .
Warner points to another example of a world-class artist leading 20 members of the local community to the beach nearby one of his hotels an hour before sunset , where they lit a fire and discussed , frankly , anything . But Warner , formerly a principal at Ramsfield Hospitality Finance where he managed new lending , acquisitions , and asset management , says the conversations always lead to questions about life and humanity , and how the artist sees things . “ And because these folks are some of the best at what they do , they can explain their perspective very clearly … That moment of meaning and connection – it ’ s just like a big spark .”
Of course , subliminally , events like this build local affinity for the hotels like the Anvil Hotel in Jackson Hole , Wyoming , or at the Sound View Hotel in Greenport , New York , and ultimately help drive business . But Warner adds that it is more about EPHP ’ s desire to use profit in a way that benefits humanity and celebrates togetherness through tourism .
GROWTH STRATEGY With a portfolio of some 12 hotels with about 1,300 rooms , the EPHP properties weathered the COVID storm and many of its drive-to hotels are thriving today , according to Warner , who added that limited supply coming online will continue to aid performance recovery .
Long-term holders in high-barrier-to-entry markets , the portfolio ranges from urban Arlo-branded hotels in New York City to small resort properties in Hawaii . About half of the hotels are managed by Sightline Hospitality , San Francisco , California , which was formed from the 2019 merger of EPHP ’ s Filament Hospitality and Chartres Lodging ’ s Kokua Hospitality .
THERE IS NOT JUST ONE LAYER OF IMPACT – OUR DECISIONS HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT . THAT ’ S HOW WE NEED TO EXIST GOING FORWARD , OR WE WILL ALL CONTINUE TO BE IMBALANCED IN OUR COMMUNITIES .
- ERIK WARNER
September 2022 hotelsmag . com 69