Two Roads Hospitality representatives told HOTELS on Monday that Niki Leondakis, CEO of Hotels & Resorts, is stepping down effective March 8 from her role and will become CEO of Equinox Fitness Clubs, operators of 86 upscale, full-service clubs.
Two Roads Hospitality will continue to operate under the leadership of CEO Jamie Sabatier and the company’s geographical presence will remain the same with a home office in Denver and regional offices in San Francisco, New York, Singapore and Shanghai.
“This past year was one of significant change and growth for Two Roads Hospitality with the integration of Destination Hotels and Commune Hotels & Resorts and the unveiling of the company’s new umbrella brand; the international lifestyle hotel company is grateful for Leondakis’ outstanding service and her substantial contributions to making this transitional time period such a success,” Two Roads Hospitality said in a statement.
HOTELS spoke to Sabatier Monday morning about Leondakis’ departure. “If you think about 2016, we were actually able to do a pretty amazing job of integrating the two companies (the former Commune Hotels and Destination Hotels) and getting the heavy lifting completed more quickly than anticipating,” he said. “When we talked about what’s next, saw smooth transitions and then Niki being offered this opportunity, from a timing standpoint it made sense for her and us, as well. I think it will wind up a win-win for both of us.”
Sabatier added that a replacement for Leondakis is not in the offing and that her reports will now be his. He also said her departure opens opportunities internally and that it is already starting to happen. “At start of year it could have been argued we were a little top heavy,” Sabatier added. “I believe we have plenty of great talent internally and where there were holes we filled them over last 12 months. There is no need to replace the role and it is an opportunity for others to step up.”
In an email to HOTELS on Monday Leondakis said, “Equinox is a luxury lifestyle leader and I am excited to embark on this new role as a natural extension of my decades of experience in building lifestyle brands. With deep passion for and understanding of how to provide an unparalleled guest experience, I look forward to further strengthening Equinox’s positioning in the luxury space, especially as we focus even more on global growth in the coming years.”
In the meantime, Two Roads Hospitality continues to grow its Thompson, Joie de Vivre, Destination and Alila brands, especially in the United States and Asia. It just recently announced its first hotel in Puerto Rico, has a number of Joie de Vivre openings in 2017, as well as three new Thompson deals in Texas. “When you look at growth in 2017, I expect we will have at least another 12 to 15 new deals, which for a company our size we like to believe we punch above our weight,” Sabatier said.