Blog

Peer Perspective – November How Kelly Elevated Guest Care and Bonvoy Success at SpringHill Suites Prince Frederick At SpringHill Suites Prince Frederick, genuine service is more than a standard. It is part of the team’s identity. This year, that commitment led to an extraordinary accomplishment. Under General Manager Mina Kim’s leadership, the hotel earned theRead more

Travel the Portfolio By Newport Hospitality Group Courtyard Somerset, New Jersey, Small-town sparkle with city-light access There’s a comforting ease to Central New Jersey in late fall—the kind of place where holiday lights quietly appear in windows, local shops lean into seasonal charm, and everything feels close, welcoming, and unhurried. Courtyard by Marriott Somerset sitsRead more

Cultivating the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders Recently, Newport Hospitality Group had the privilege of hosting a dynamic group of leadership trainees at our Williamsburg corporate office as part of LEAP — the Leadership Excellence Advancement Program. Over the course of three immersive days, participants dove deep into nine modules of AHLA’s Supervisory Skill BuildersRead more

Travel the Portfolio By Newport Hospitality Group Looking for the perfect fall getaway this October and November, one that welcomes you and your pet? Newport’s latest Travel the Portfolio journey takes you from Florida’s Atlantic coast to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley—two destinations rich with color, comfort, and character. Whether it’s sunrise walksRead more

Strategies for a Competitive Edge By Ashley Unrue, CHS, CHSP – Senior Regional Director of Sales Every fall, sales teams step into the familiar cadence of plans, pacing, and projections. Planning for 2026 asks more, not less: sharper focus, faster alignment, and the discipline to turn good intelligence into better decisions. The market context isRead more

Peer Perspective – October From the Classroom to the Sales Office When you meet Haley Dodman and Kyra Lee, it’s clear that friendship and ambition travel well together. Both seniors in Virginia Tech’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program, the two Hokies have turned their classroom lessons into real-world experience as sales coordinators for the HyattRead more

Newport’s Anniversary Story Thirty-five years ago, Newport was founded on a simple idea: hospitality should be about more than rooms and rates — it should be about people. As we celebrate this milestone, we’ve taken time to look back — not just at the numbers and the properties, but at the people who built thisRead more

Travel the Portfolio By Newport Hospitality Group When the air turns crisp and evenings stretch long with golden light, travel takes on a special energy. It’s not just about where you go—it’s about the rhythms of festivals, the taste of seasonal dishes, and the chance to connect with communities celebrating together. From the fairgrounds ofRead more

Peer Perspectives – September Housekeeping is often called the “heart of the house” — the quiet force that ensures every arrival feels like home and every stay ends with satisfaction. In celebration of Housekeeping Week, and in the spirit of Newport’s 35th anniversary, we’re proud to share the stories of three team members whose dedicationRead more

Recognizing the Unsung Heroes By Lizz Chambers, Vice President of People Services In hospitality, the spotlight often shines on the grand openings, the brand standards, the awards, and the glowing five-star reviews. These are important. They drive revenue, build reputation, and keep our hotels competitive. But behind every polished lobby, every seamless check-in, and everyRead more

Travel the Portfolio Season of Discovery: September & October Stays Worth the Trip By Newport Hospitality Group Autumn is the season of discovery—when crisp mornings, colorful landscapes, and hometown traditions invite us to see familiar places in a new light. This September and October, whether you’re following the arts, chasing river views, or celebrating culture,Read more

Peer Perspectives – August Feature Ryan Williams, Assistant General ManagerCourtyard Philadelphia Valley Forge / Collegeville If you’ve ever stepped into the Courtyard in Collegeville and been greeted by a positive energy that makes the whole place feel like home—you’ve probably experienced a little of what Ryan Williams brings to the property every day. Ryan’s storyRead more

Turning Numbers Into Narratives By Tim Hayes, Vice President of Financial Analysis, Newport Hospitality Group Budget season in hospitality can feel like trying to land a plane in fog—numbers are everywhere, and every decision impacts your property’s future. That’s where The Budgeting Playbook comes in: a clear, actionable guide to help you build a strategy-drivenRead more

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

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