HQ Hotels & Residences Welcomes Mike Metcalf as New President Leading Monumental Expansion

Saturday, September 14, 2024

HQ Hotels & Residences, a newly launched lifestyle hospitality brand led by sbe Chairman & CEO Sam Nazarian, has appointed industry veteran Mike Metcalf as its President.

With more than 40 years of experience in hospitality, Metcalf steps into this role following a distinguished career at Crescent Hotels & Resorts. During his 18-year tenure there, he held several top leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Vice President of Business Development. Metcalf was instrumental in Crescent’s impressive growth, overseeing the acquisition of eight hotels in just 18 months and helping to expand the company’s portfolio from 28 to over 110 properties. His focus on operational excellence, financial performance, and client relationships made him a key player in managing a diverse range of full-service hotels, premium service properties, and high-end golf resorts, all while Crescent grew its reach across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

Metcalf brings a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership to HQ Hotels. His career is marked by several notable achievements, including his role as General Manager of the 900-room Delta Orlando at Universal Studios and the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Prior to Crescent’s management of the property, Metcalf played a pivotal role in its success. He also spent 15 years with ITT Sheraton, where he held various roles in operations, sales and marketing, finance, and corporate staffing across North America. Additionally, he has consulted on numerous high-profile hospitality projects in destinations like Hawaii, Los Angeles, New York, Florida, and the Caribbean, specializing in bank workouts, asset management, and loan underwriting.

Metcalf’s deep expertise and leadership skills are set to play a crucial role in shaping HQ Hotels & Residences as it aims to revolutionize the lifestyle hospitality market.

Sam Nazarian, Chairman & CEO of sbe said, “Mike joins HQ Hotels at a pivotal stage of its launch ahead of the first HQ hotel openings in Montreux, Switzerland and Detroit, Michigan. His extensive background in hospitality at every level and his business acumen makes him the ideal choice for HQ and we are delighted to have him at the brand’s helm.”

Mike Metcalf, President of HQ Hotels adds, “As the HQ brand launches globally, my focus will be to source new deals, develop brand standards, and ensure we deliver on the HQ brand promise to guests, employees and owners alike. We’re creating a unique and global hotel experience specifically targeting Gen Z and Millennial travelers. In particular, we see the savvy Latin American travel demographic as integral. With a major portion of the brand experience driven by activations conceptualized at our bars and restaurants, our hotels will be known for their entertainment value with iconic F&B partners including Disruptive Restaurant Group (DRG), and the largest premium quick service restaurant brand Everybody Eats.”

HQ Hotels & Residences is poised to redefine the hospitality industry by blending innovation, sophistication, and cultural elements into a unique lifestyle brand. Partnering with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, HQ aims to create premier destinations tailored to the modern traveler’s desire for unforgettable experiences and seamless connectivity. Backed by a strategic investment from entertainment icon Marc Anthony and his company Magnus, HQ has access to highly sought-after audiences, particularly within the Latin and entertainment communities.

At the heart of HQ’s offering will be exclusive dining experiences crafted in collaboration with renowned chefs and culinary innovators. These restaurants will elevate guests’ palates by combining inventive cuisine with traditional flavors, providing a remarkable culinary journey. Building on sbe’s legacy of creating groundbreaking dining concepts, HQ will further expand through the Disruptive Restaurant Group, with partnerships that include culinary icons like Chef Katsuya Uechi, Chef Dani Garcia, and Chef Wes Avila. These collaborations promise to bring cutting-edge, memorable dining experiences to HQ’s locations.

In addition to fine dining, HQ will tap into the fast-growing premium quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. Its collaboration with Everybody Eats, the largest premium QSR brand and digital food company, positions HQ to connect deeply with Millennials, Gen Z, and Latin communities. The partnership with TOMA, a venture co-developed by world-renowned actress Sofia Vergara and her son Manolo Vergara, is one example of how HQ will offer culturally rich and contemporary dining experiences.

True to sbe’s DNA, nightlife and entertainment will remain central to HQ’s lifestyle offerings. Through strategic partnerships with top entertainment brands, HQ Hotels & Residences will deliver vibrant, curated nightlife experiences, ensuring each destination becomes a hub for high-energy entertainment. With this innovative blend of hospitality, culinary artistry, and entertainment, HQ is set to become a new standard-bearer in the global lifestyle hotel market.

Tags: Crescent Hotels & Resorts, hospitality, Hospitality Industry, HQ Hotels & Residences, luxury hotels, Mike Metcalf, operational excellence, Travel News