Charlestowne Hotels to Manage The Collector, Luxury Inn and Gardens Opening Soon in St. Augustine
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL. August 22, 2016 - Charlestowne Hotels, a full-service hospitality management company, will introduce The Collector, Luxury Inn and Gardens as the first upscale accommodation option of its kind in St. Augustine, overseeing all operations, revenue management and marketing for the property. The Collector will offer the quaint personal touches of a bed and breakfast with the modern amenities and service of an upscale inn. Adding to the diverse Charlestowne Hotels portfolio consisting of independent hotels and resorts, franchised properties and condo-hotels across the country, The Collector will be the company's first property in the St. Augustine area.
An adaptive re-use project, The Collector will open at the site of the former Dow Museum of Historic Houses, a notable St. Augustine landmark dating back to 1790. Sitting on an acre of land on the edge of St. Augustine's Old Town, the luxury inn will encompass much of the historic property's original foundation and structure, occupying nine buildings with a total of 30 guest rooms. Upholding the inn's history, each individually appointed room will have a unique historic feature such as coquina walls and refurbished hardwood floors from the property's 18th century construction. Select suites will offer separate living rooms and verandas as well as fireplaces that have been restored from the original building.
“Managing a property like The Collector is a special chance for us to preserve and restore a significant landmark,” says Michael Tall, president and chief operating officer of Charlestowne Hotels. “Our longstanding success with independent boutique hotels combined with our dedication to sustainability will elevate the property as a notable destination in St. Augustine, inspiring guests to further explore the 450-year-old city's deep-seated history.”
Aligning with St. Augustine's Spanish influence, The Collector draws upon a fusion of modern Spanish and southern styles including exterior coquina walls, a combination of rough-hewn linens and luxurious silk. The design explores core themes of provenance, art and romance, surrounding guests with museum-quality decor from the Dow collection of antiques, artifacts and various sculptures, while artisanal finishes are revealed through carved stone, engraved metal and copper details. Combining living history with bespoke accommodations, a refurbished amphitheater will become The Collector's hub for entertainment featuring live musical performances.
Known for managing hotel properties with unparalleled guest experiences, Charlestowne Hotels will implement a signature set of indulgent “surprise and delight” amenities, a distinguishing characteristic among many Charlestowne Hotels properties. At The Collector, guests will enjoy daily complimentary amenities including European continental breakfast, specialty mid-day treats and an evening garden reception. Other features include a heated outdoor pool, cozy outdoor fire pits and a central bar, repurposed from St. Augustine's first automotive garage, which will serve specialty craft cocktails using local spirits with historic flare. Aiming to provide guests with a new perspective and appreciation for the history of St. Augustine, the hotel team will coordinate tours of the city and programming led by locals.
“Opening The Collector as St. Augustine's first upscale inn, we needed a hotel management team with a deep understanding of distinct hotels and a strong appreciation of repurposed and revitalized properties,” commented David Corneal, owner of the property. “Charlestowne Hotels was the natural choice to take our property to the next level with the goal of exceeding guest expectations and making The Collector the destination of choice in the highly competitive travel market.”
As The Collector nears completion, the Charlestowne Hotels team will oversee the property's transition to full-service operations, employing a hands-on focus including regular coaching and staff training to optimize day-to-day hotel management. Dedicated revenue managers will apply a comprehensive operating system for all hotel finances, maximizing revenue potential and meeting the company's standard for managing hotels with RevPAR growth that doubles the national average. Simultaneously, the Charlestowne Hotels marketing team will lead a brand development process, leveraging foundational pillars of immersive, historic lodging and sensory experiences to cultivate recognition among travelers and position the property as a high-end accommodation option with authentic, localized experiences minutes from the famous St. Augustine beaches.
Dedicated to sustaining the extraordinary stories and artisanal qualities of St. Augustine, Charlestowne Hotels and David Corneal will combine efforts to develop The Collector, Luxury Inn and Gardens into a property that is the most distinctive and historically-conscious hospitality offering in the city. To learn more about Charlestowne Hotels and their portfolio of adaptive reuse properties and upcoming developments, please visit www.CharlestowneHotels.com.
About Charlestowne Hotels
Founded in 1980, Charlestowne Hotels is a leading full-service hospitality management company offering innovative expertise in hotel development, operational controls, marketing management, revenue optimization and financial reporting. One of the top ranked hotel management companies in the US, Charlestowne properties consistently achieve RevPAR growth nearly double the national average. The brand offers a robust portfolio of independent hotels and resorts, franchised properties and condos around the country. Known for a proficient management style that pays close attention to guest experience, properties under Charlestowne Hotels regularly receive industry accolades on Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List and Readers' Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for “Top City Hotels in the Continental U.S.” and “Top 100 Best Hotels in the World,” and top standings on TripAdvisor. For more information please visit www.CharlestowneHotels.com.
Contact:
Olivia Moore
[email protected]
+ 212 868 1900 x248
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