Bentley Legacy Holdings launches operating division

PLANO, Texas – Bentley Legacy Holdings (BLH) is targeting strategic growth with the launch of its hotel operating division, Bentley Legacy Group, the acquisition of new properties and the hiring of new talent.

Helmed by Les Bentley with his three daughters in key roles, BLH already created Pendant Capital, a funding and investing arm led by David Capps. It also recently announced acquisition of The Raphael Hotel, Autograph Collection, in Kansas City, Missouri.

BLH is continuing to expand its portfolio with an investment in the future Hotel Bozeman and Residences, the first Autograph Collection branded hotel in Montana, which is set to open in 2026.Capps told Hotel Investment Today that BLH has “a full pipeline of high-quality assets in high-barrier to entry locations across the U.S.”

Matt Berge joins BLH as president, COO

Matt Berge joins BLH as president and COO, bringing 37 years of operational experience with both brands and third-party operations. He was most recently senior vice president of operations at Aimbridge Hospitality. Berge also spent more than 20 years with Starwood.

In addition, Ginger Van Nest comes to BLH as the senior vice president of Commercial Services, overseeing sales, e-commerce and revenue management. Her 15 years of industry experience include sales and commercial strategy roles at Aimbridge Hospitality, as well as 8-plus years as a brand champion for Hyatt.

Bentley Legacy group will take management of all BLH assets, including the newly acquired Raphael Hotel. BLH also has an ownership stake in La Fonda on the Plaza and the soon-to-be reimagined Old Santa Fe Inn, both in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Senza Hotel in Napa, California; Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, Arizona; Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown; and the Hampton Inn & Suites Boerne in Boerne, Texas.

A spokesperson told Hotel Investment Today that the new management company does not plan to pursue any third-party management.

“As we have been making significant investments in properties across the country and bringing them into our portfolio, we always knew we wanted to return to our roots and be hands-on as the management team behind the guest experience at those hotels,” Bentley said. “Hotel operations have always been part of our family history, and it’s a legacy I am proud to continue, following in the footsteps of my father and passing the torch to my daughters as the third-generation visionary partners for hotel ownership, investments and management.”

BLH was founded by Bentley in 2013 following a career that included roles as the original founder of Aimbridge Hospitality, president of Wyndham International and operating leader at Marriott International.