Waterton launches Outbound Hotels

CHICAGO – With an emphasis on music, local culture and the outdoors, Chicago-based real estate investment and property management company Waterton has launched Outbound Hotels with two conversion properties – The Virginian Lodge, an Outbound Hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Outbound Mammoth (formerly Sierra Nevada Resort) in Mammoth Lakes, California.

Outbound Hotels' expansion plans include opening properties in Stowe, Vermont (July 2024), and Yosemite National Park (Q1 2025), the group’s first new build development.

“Our longer-term goals are to assemble a portfolio of remarkable assets in high barrier to entry markets and create a hotel brand that resonates with the consumer and drives business to our properties,” Matthew Mering, executive vice president of Hospitality at Waterton told Hotel Investment Today. “We have identified approximately 50 target markets in the U.S. that we feel would fit our investment thesis – specifically, outdoor adventure markets adjacent to beaches, national parks and ski areas that enjoy multiple seasons of demand.”

Outbound’s pitch: with properties focused on creating community and connections, each is also close enough to a town, where “Outbounders” can immerse themselves in the local culture, and close enough to nature where they can hit the trails, bike, ski, climb, or swim utilizing adventure activity partners to book experiences. Price points start at $150.

Outbound Hotels is partnering with Springboard Hospitality for management. Amenity partners include Solo Stove (known for their smokeless fire pits) and The Kin (an app that offers 24/7 pet health and nutrition support).

On-property, the brand offers complimentary campfire s’mores, morning yoga by the pool and weekly programs like karaoke night and live acoustic sessions.

The Virginian Lodge, an Outbound Hotel features two hot tubs, seven built-in fire pits, an all-season pool, the Virginian Saloon, and over 4,000 square feet of event space and the newly opened Midtown Liquor convenient shop that includes a drive-through window.

Outbound Mammoth has been reimagined with renovated rooms and chalets plus 10 new cabins and 20 villas perfect. The property also has a new pool area, an on-site restaurant, a steam room, a dry sauna, fire pits, offerings for pets and a welcome beer from the newly opened restaurant.