Hotel Equities, Springboard Hospitality merge

ATLANTA & HONOLULU – Hotel Equities and Springboard Hospitality have merged their hotel management businesses, effective May 1. The move combines Hotel Equities 200 opened or opening branded select- and limited-service portfolio with Springboard’s 51 independent, lifestyle, and resort properties in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Representatives for Hotel Equities said no details of the deal were being released, adding that Hotel Equities did not acquire Springboard.

Industry insiders suggest the combined business will especially target the CALA region for growth opportunities. The HE website already lists former Hilton Latin America development executive Juan Corvinos Solan as its new president for the Caribbean and Latin America.

Ben Rafter, CEO of Springboard Hospitality, is the new chief executive officer of the combined company. Brad Rahinsky, former president and CEO of Hotel Equities, will assume the role of chairman.

Rafter told Hotel Investment Today via email, “This merger is rooted in a shared belief that the future of hospitality management demands both scale and specialization. By bringing together Springboard’s strengths in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial agility with Hotel Equities’ deep operational excellence and expansive footprint, we’re building a platform that gives owners exactly what they need in today’s market: smarter performance, tailored support, and the ability to truly differentiate.”

Al Smith, Hotel Equities’ president of hotel operations, will assume the newly created role of chief operating officer, and Rob Robinson, executive vice president of Springboard Hospitality, will transition to the role of president of Springboard Hospitality.

“This next chapter for the combined company establishes scale with expanded regional insight and entrepreneurial agility to support owners across every asset class,” Rahinsky said.

Rafter added, “We start with what both companies do best: revenue generation and technology innovation. We’ve earned our reputation by unlocking new revenue opportunities, embracing technology to stay ahead of the curve, and tailoring creative solutions for each asset. From there our combined expertise allows us to move faster, think more creatively, and deliver long-term value in ways that legacy operators simply can’t.”

Additional announcements, including key hires and expanded services, will be shared in the coming months as the company builds toward its next phase of growth.