Sonesta promotes luxurious and life-style exec to chief improvement officer

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has promoted Phil Hugh to chief improvement officer, in keeping with a Thursday information launch shared with Hotel Dive. Hugh succeeds Brian Quinn, who’s leaving Sonesta as a part of a deliberate transition.

Hugh joined Sonesta in March 2023 as senior vp and head of luxurious and life-style improvement. His background contains greater than 30 years of expertise in portfolio improvement, model progress and strategic partnerships. Hugh beforehand served as chief development officer at Radisson Hotel Group Americas and Red Roof Inn, and was CEO of Hugh Hotel Group, per his LinkedIn.

In his new function, Hugh will likely be tasked with the way forward for improvement at Sonesta, mentioned Keith Pierce, govt vp and president of franchise and improvement on the firm. 

“The Americas will remain our primary focus, with significant expansion across our portfolio of brands,” Pierce mentioned in an announcement.

Quinn joined Sonesta in March 2021, instantly following the corporate’s acquisition of Red Lion Hotels Corporation. During his tenure at Sonesta, he led new franchise efforts for the mixed firm throughout the total portfolio of Sonesta and Red Lion manufacturers. He reengineered Sonesta’s franchising platform, establishing inside methods and hiring the workforce to help speedy lodging improvement progress, in keeping with the information launch.

“Brian’s work with the team in 2021 resulted in opening more than 80 hotels organically, with no initial pipeline, creating positive net unit growth,” mentioned Pierce. “His continued efforts have helped set Sonesta up for success with a dynamic organic growth strategy.”

Sonesta counts 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 visitor rooms throughout 13 manufacturers. Last week, it debuted a brand new prolonged keep idea, Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta.