Highgate’s New CEO Goes On the Hunt for Luxury and Lifestyle Hotels
Skift Take
Highgate's name hasn't been associated with luxury and lifestyle until now. But the company, which is the second-largest hotel manager in the U.S., is making some distinctive moves that will likely broaden its footprint among high-end, full-service properties.
Early Check-In
Editor’s Note: Skift Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill brings readers exclusive reporting and insights into hotel deals and development, and how those trends are making an impact across the travel industry.I wasn't expecting to find Highgate at last week's Boutique Hotel Investment Conference by BLLA. The New York company, which owns hotels and manages them for others, hasn't been considered a player in the boutique or luxury segments.
Highgate has 560 hotels in its network, including 420 select-service brands, including ones branded LaQuinta by Wyndham. It has about 90,000 rooms under management.It says it's the second-largest hotel management company in the U.S. after Aimbridge Hospitality. It says it's the largest operator in New York City, with more than 35 hotels.Last September, Highgate appointed Arash Azarbarzin as CEO, and one of his directives is to grow the company's portfolio of luxury and lifestyle properties.
Azarbarzin has expertise in luxury and lifestyle, having been the CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts, whose high-end brands include 1 Hotels and Baccarat. He's building on Highgate's current collection of about 60 luxury and lifestyle properties, in
