The Kessler Collection has entered a strategic alliance with Highgate. Under the agreement, Highgate will take over management of several hotels in the United States that are part of the Kessler portfolio.
The alliance includes Casa Monica Resort & Spa in St. Augustine, JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District in Savannah and the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville in Greenville. According to the announcement, the agreement marks the start of a new operating structure with these hotels shifting to Highgate oversight under a new division called Kessler Hospitality.
The Casa Monica Resort & Spa was described as a historic site in St. Augustine. The JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District was noted as part of a mixed-use development. The Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville sits near Falls Park.
Kessler property-level employees and select leaders will transition to Highgate as part of the arrangement.
“Our mission has always been to create inspired guest experiences rooted in artistry, individuality, and purpose,” said Mark Kessler, president of The Kessler Collection. “When we looked for a partner to help us take the Grand Bohemian brand into its next chapter, Highgate stood out. Their operational discipline, deep revenue expertise, and ability to leverage technology to improve oversight and profitability made them the clear choice to complement our creative vision and expand our portfolio.”
“This alliance brings together two industry leaders with a shared vision for creativity, excellence, and growth,” said Richard Russo, principal, Highgate. “By combining Kessler’s creativity and design-forward sensibility with Highgate’s investment acumen and operational expertise, we’re creating meaningful long-term value for these exceptional assets and setting a new standard for performance in the luxury and lifestyle space. We’re proud to welcome many talented Kessler team members to Highgate — their vision and ingenuity further strengthen our platform and reinforce Highgate’s ability to lead in this important area of hospitality.”
“White-label management is often described as a customized approach, yet what’s frequently delivered feels standardized. At Highgate, we take a fundamentally different view. We build tailored platform solutions with partners like Kessler that align with each organization’s unique objectives and amplify their strengths, unlocking enduring value. We look forward to our association with Kessler and to forging new alliances with like-minded organizations that share our vision for innovation, empowering us to continually evolve our platform, drive best-in-class results, and shape the future of hospitality,” said Russo.
The alliance connects two companies with long industry experience. The announcement noted that both organizations have operated in hospitality for decades and plan to work together on future projects. The companies cited a focus on combining scale and operational capability with creative direction and ownership background.