Our business model is based on the overarching principle that we strive to make people’s lives better. This corporate essence is borne from our time-honored history, our cultural underpinnings, and our hiring of only the best candidates.
Our mission is enriching lives through such high levels of service and value creation that together, we redefine the standards of excellence in hospitality.
The Newport story reaches all the way back to the 1850s. During that time, S.M. Swenson, a Swedish immigrant and a successful merchant, began purchasing vast tracks of untouched land, amassing a large land holding in West Texas. S.M.’s sons leased the land from their father and founded the Swenson Land and Cattle Company which continued to operate for the next 140 years.
In the early 90s, Bill Carey, a great grandson of S.M. Swenson as well as a successful entrepreneur and rancher, began searching for new business opportunities. He only had to look to his cousin, Mike Pleninger, for the answer. Mike had spent his entire career building and managing hotels, and was ready to launch a new business.
Starting in a small office in Newport News, Virginia (hence the name) in 1990, Bill and Mike laid out a vision for their fledgling venture. They set out to become the preferred hotel management company in the Eastern United States by bringing the key principles of a successful and enduring ranch company to the hospitality industry, specifically hard work, individual reliance, community support and moral integrity.
In the early 90s, Bill Carey, the great grandson of S.M. Swenson as well as a successful entrepreneur and rancher, began searching for new business opportunities. He only had to look to his cousin, Mike Pleninger, for the answer. Mike had spent his entire career building and managing hotels.
Starting in a small office in Newport News, Virginia (hence the name) in 1990, Bill and Mike laid out a vision for their fledgling venture. They set out to become the preferred hotel management company in the Eastern United States by bringing the key principles of a successful and enduring ranch company to the hospitality industry, specifically hard work, individual reliance, community support and moral integrity.
Shortly after starting, Newport Hospitality Group took over management of a series of hotels in Williamsburg, Virginia, and then moved its offices to be closer to those properties. Since then, NHG has grown and evolved to include regional offices in Florida, Massachusetts and North Carolina. In spite of this growth, our primary mission has never wavered; we continue to provide unique work experiences, remarkable guest stays and superior owner returns.
Our focus on corporate culture and core values are what set us apart from other hotel management companies and what allow us to excel with every property we operate. This starts by respecting all associates, managers and executives in the NHG family. Our people are our lifeblood, and we nurture an environment where each individual is able to thrive, both personally and professionally.
We want each and every NHG team member to flourish because once when we are all doing our best will we fulfill our mission. To this end, we nurture and reward hardworking team players who have a passion for proactive problem solving.
People who have a variety of career and life experiences as well as those who have a clear vision of ‘what they want to be when they grow up’, which happens to include playing critical roles in running superb hotels.
People who work hard to balance the most important parts of their lives – family, health, work and soul.
At its core, hospitality is a people business. As such, we seek energetic leaders who breathe life into the idea of a great guest experience.
People who will take the tools we give them, take risks to build their business and take responsibility for the outcomes.
People who understand that solving problems rather than ignoring them is always the preferable course of action in the hotel business.
While we are in the people business, we are still a business! We seek individuals who can balance the soft heart required to lead others with the shrewd intellect necessary to grow a business.
“I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Newport Hospitality Group (NHG) over the past eight years as the owner of Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Blacksburg, VA. From the beginning, Mike Pleninger’s professionalism from NHG assured me I’d made the right choice.
NHG managed our conversion from Comfort Inn & Suites to Holiday Inn Express & Suites. They were responsible for every detail, from the Property Improvement Plan (PIP) and software updates to managing new breakfast requirements. Their regular updates kept me well-informed throughout the process.
When our local university, Virginia Tech proposed using the hotel for student housing in 2019, NHG handled all negotiations and property repurposing until contract expiration in May 2020—a strategic move that proved beneficial during the ensuing pandemic.
A full interior renovation of the Holiday Inn Express within just 65 days. Sheri Rountree from NHG flawlessly delivered on this transformation. I wholeheartedly recommend NHG for their exceptional consulting, project management, hotel operation management, and franchise negotiations skills. Their industry knowledge is unsurpassed. Thanks to NHG, I pass by my hotel every day, reassured that it is in the most capable hands.“
“We are pleased to have worked with Newport Hospitality Group for more than 15 years. Newport does an excellent job at the hotels they manage for us. They collaborate with our team and consistently seek opportunities for improvement to further strengthen operating results.“
“I’ve had a strong working relationship with Wayne and the NHG team. I trust their capabilities and value the personal touch they bring to the table. For anyone looking for a dependable hotel management partner, consider Newport Hospitality Group.“
