HHM Hotels has launched Echelon Luxury & Lifestyle, a newly created business unit that will leverage its 30 years of experience in hospitality to support independent hotel owners and investors in generating revenue, value and optimal profitability. The business division is aimed at independent and independent-inspired brands.
Out of the 240 hotels managed by the Philadelphia-headquartered HHM Hotels, Echelon represents more than 50 properties in the country.
Some major independent brands in Echelon’s portfolio include The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia’s only Forbes five-star independent hotel; The Joule in Dallas; The Envoy Hotel in Boston’s Seaport district; and the Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey Bay, Calif.
Echelon Luxury & Lifestyle’s edge is boosting bookings and direct business for owners using omnichannel distribution initiatives focused on maximum penetrations in the widest range of markets.
“Echelon Luxury & Lifestyle showcases the refined business capabilities that we have offered as a management company in the independent space for 15-plus years,” said Naveen Kakarla, president & CEO of HHM Hotels. “With the growing popularity of independent hotels and resorts, we provide travelers with a more unique experience while focusing on business development for owners and investors.”
Echelon has creative divisions and in-house studios, along with a Culinary Studio by Echelon, which creates 360-degree F&B programs, and a Creative Studio offers full-service creative and branding services like messaging for style guides, photography and OS&E sourcing and development.
“We deliver investor returns while still focusing on innovation and flexibility. Our dedicated team of experienced operators, marketing professionals, and project management teams provide a full spectrum of services. They’re fully focused on value-creation while pushing excellence in the independent space,” Kakarla said.
HHM Hotels currently operates 240 full-service and select-service hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Besides managing hotels by Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Hyatt, the company also operates more than 30 independent luxury and lifestyle hotels.