Travel the PortfolioDiscovering Small Towns with Big Stories In late summer, the highways clear just enough to pull off and slow down. This is the season of side roads and second looks—when small towns reveal themselves not through bucket lists, but through conversation, craft, and heritage. From the quiet hollers of Virginia to the vineyardsRead more
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Peer Perspectives Some people check you in.La’Kesha Holland and Stephen McIninch check in on you.Front Desk Team | Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront At the Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront, these two front desk pros bring more than keycards and pool towels—they bring heart, humor, humanity, and the kind of teamwork that turns a hotelRead more
Lessons from HSMAI Commercial Strategy Week By Kirsten Mosco, CHDM, Vice President of Media and Communications, Newport Hospitality Group If you’re in hotel media and communications—part storyteller, part strategist, part brand builder—you likely thrive when 1000 things come at you at once. The work spans digital campaigns, brand storytelling, content creation, social strategy, reputation management,Read more
Travel the Portfolio As summer stretches across the calendar, it’s the perfect time to chase a few more sunsets, savor a few more scoops, and discover a few unexpected places. Whether you’re heading south for lake days or north for mountain air, Newport’s summer picks offer comfort, connection, and cool experiences worth the trip. Columbia,Read more
Peer Perspectives Gabrielle Burton, CHS, Assistant General ManagerHilton Garden Inn Columbia/Harbison When Gabrielle Burton walked into the Leadership, Excellence, and Advancement Program (LEAP), she knew she was ready to grow—but she didn’t yet know just how much that growth would shape her path. Today, as the Assistant General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Harbison, GabrielleRead more
Strategies for Seasonal Impact By John Hirt, Vice President of Operations, Newport Hospitality Group In hospitality, seasonality isn’t just a footnote in the budget—it’s often the main storyline. Whether it’s summer vacationers filling oceanfront suites, fall group travel spiking occupancy, or citywide events creating compression across an entire market, these seasonal surges are what makeRead more
Peer PerspectivesMeet Molly Peterson, the Director of Food & Beverage, Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront For Molly Peterson, hospitality isn’t just a profession—it’s a rhythm, a lifestyle, and a long-standing love for the kitchen that started at age 16. Her first job was washing dishes at her boyfriend’s family restaurant, Cheelo’s Café, a short-lived butRead more
Embedding Mission in Daily Operations By Wayne West III, President, Newport Hospitality Group There’s a reason we say Living Hospitality is more than a tagline at Newport—it’s a commitment. And like any commitment, it requires consistent action, not just intention. A few years ago, our leadership team faced a challenge: re-writing our company’s mission statementRead more
Room to roam. Room to stay. Room to connect. This May, we explore three destinations where suite-style stays offer comfort, flexibility, and proximity to seasonal experiences worth traveling for. Asheville, North Carolina After Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina in late 2024, the Asheville community has steadily worked to restore what makes it special—itsRead more
Lighting the Path: Leadership Lessons from the Retreat By Andrew Carey, CEO, Newport Hospitality Group Leadership isn’t something you find in a textbook—it’s forged through shared experiences, honest conversations, and the quiet understanding that we are all in this together. At Newport Hospitality Group, we believe deeply in this truth. And nowhere was that moreRead more
Peer Perspective: “Reach for the Brass Ring” – Kenny’s Retreat Reflections Let’s see if I can remember the beginning… Back in the late ’90s, I was working as the Bar Manager at the Holiday Inn Portsmouth under Lane Hospitality. Then came a new management company—Newport Hospitality Group. I don’t remember all the corporate details, butRead more
As spring breathes new life into cities across the United States, travelers have a wealth of experiences awaiting them. Whether you’re drawn to the historical allure of Philadelphia, the cultural vibrancy of Richmond, or the dynamic attractions of Orlando, each destination offers unique events and accommodations to enhance your journey. Here’s a curated guide toRead more
The Art of Connection and Building Guest Loyalty Brendan McCoy Senior Vice President & Chief Operations Officer Guest loyalty isn’t built on points alone—it’s built on moments. It’s the warm welcome at check-in, the server who remembers a guest’s favorite drink, or the housekeeper who goes the extra mile to personalize a stay. In today’sRead more
A March Journey Through Innovation, Nature, and Music March is an ideal time to explore new destinations before the peak tourist season begins. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant energy of a university town, the rich history of a suburban enclave, or the soulful melodies of bluegrass country, these locales offer unique experiences paired withRead more
A Career Shift from Community Engagement to Hospitality Sales In hospitality, career paths are rarely linear—they evolve through experiences, challenges, and unexpected opportunities. Dena Hansen, Director of Sales at Comfort Inn & Suites Sanford, knows this firsthand. After years working in the Chamber of Commerce world, she made the leap into hotel sales, bringing aRead more
Celebrating Global Community Engagement Day Every year on January 28th, Global Community Engagement Day reminds us of the power of collective action and the importance of giving back. At Newport, this day serves as a celebration of our teams’ unwavering dedication to creating meaningful change in the communities we proudly serve. A Year of PurposefulRead more
Meet Jessica Evans In celebration of National Mentor Month, we’re thrilled to highlight Jessica Evans, General Manager of Courtyard Collegeville, whose journey in hospitality demonstrates the transformative power of mentorship. Jessica’s career began in 2011 and has been shaped by her determination, passion, and the invaluable guidance she received along the way. Your Journey inRead more
Winter Escapes As the holiday rush fades and the new year begins, there’s something magical about winter travel. Crisp air, fewer crowds, and cozy experiences make January and February the perfect time to explore someplace new. At Newport, our portfolio of hotels offers the ideal backdrop for your winter adventure. Whether it’s strolling historic streets,Read more
Beyond Check-In – Driving Hospitality Innovation By Whitney B. Altizer CRME, CHDM Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer As we close the chapter on a transformative 2024 and step into 2025, Newport Hospitality Group continues to lead the charge in redefining operational excellence. Our mission is clear, to empower our general managers and directors ofRead more
On the first day of Christmas, Newport gave to me: An Avid stay in Ashland’s beauty! On the second day of Christmas, Newport gave to me: Two Wyndham wonders And an Avid stay in Ashland’s beauty! On the third day of Christmas, Newport gave to me: Three charming Choices Two Wyndham wonders And an Avid stay in Ashland’s beauty!Read more
Checking in Twice: Finding Out If Your Budget is Naughty or Nice Season’s greetings! As the year comes to a close, so does our industry’s budgeting season. While important, the budgeting season can sometimes be an arduous process, and we can get lost in the numbers in our attempt to complete the process. So, muchRead more
The days of free HBO and touting an ironing board and coffee maker as room features that delight guests are long gone. The hotel and hospitality industry has seen many changes over the years in services offered, product specifications, and how teams interact with guests. Today, features like lightning-fast Wi-Fi, water bottle filling stations, andRead more
Newport Hospitality Group Presents “Peer Perspective with Chef Jonathan Kapfer” Meet Jonathan Kapfer, the passionate and experienced Executive Chef at Hilton Garden Inn Brunswick. His love for food and the culinary world began at the age of 13 when he took his first job as a busboy at a Denny’s restaurant. Though it wasn’t glamorous,Read more
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business environment, the strength of a company lies not just in its products or services but in the team driving those results. How do you build a team that not only works together but thrives together? It goes beyond job descriptions and competitive pay; it’s about creating a shared senseRead more
As the air turns crisp and the leaves transform into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, fall becomes the ideal time for a weekend escape. Whether you’re looking to explore historic sites, enjoy scenic drives, or immerse yourself in local culture, these five hotels offer the perfect base for your autumn adventures. Williamsburg BestRead more
