Jamie Sabatier is coming up on his first anniversary as CEO of Destination Hotels & Resorts and he recently told HOTELS Magazine that he is starting to more purposefully put his fingerprints on the organization in an upscale independent segment that he says his ripe for a new leadership.
“There is a strong pipeline of opportunities and we are well positioned from operations side. We just need to get our story out more often as every time we do so it resonates well,” said Sabatier, who manages assets for DH&R’s parent company, Los Angeles-based real estate developer Lowe Enterprises, as well as for owners such as LaSalle Hotel Properties, Pebblebrook Hotel Truest and AIG. “The company and brand resonates in the meeting planner community. We need to do a better job of having better recognition and retention from the consumer’s standpoint.”
Sabatier has been working in the Englewood, Colorado, corporate office on everything from eyeing Mexico and the Caribbean for expansion, to using his Starwood Hotels and W brand background to re-organize DH&R in-house design team to put a stronger emphasis on local, original and authentic themes. Since coming on board he has also focused on implementing a half-million dollar investment in a CRM overhaul that includes a cloud-based, real time system that integrates not only the traditional “how I like my eggs” data, but pulls in everything from guests social feeds to post-stay surveys.
Sabatier said DH&R’s model is more owner-centric and decision-making is focused on creating better margins. In fact, he said DH&R is renewing its focus to make sure every last expense is driving top line revenue, cost savings or a guest experience that will drive revenue. It can be as simple as switching to bulk amenities in guestrooms. “The cost savings add up,” Sabatier added.
That approach pays dividend with Sabatier citing Lowe’s sale of the L’Auberge Del Mar in San Diego to LaSalle, who retained DH&R for management. “LaSalle had the opportunity to go with who they wanted from a management standpoint and they chose us,” Sabatier said. “It said a lot about us being the right guys.”
On the development front, Sabatier said he wants DH&R to grow its urban footprint and is very active in the top 20 MSAs. At the same time, DH&R continues to grow resort portfolio, especially in markets that are easy to get to. “From a geographic standpoint, we continue to focus on the U.S. but we are also expanding in the Caribbean and Mexico. Expect some announcements in next few months.”