Industry NewsCharlestowne Hotels to Manage The Collector

Charlestowne Hotels to Manage The Collector

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.—Charlestowne Hotels will introduce The Collector, Luxury Inn and Gardens as the first upscale accommodation option of its kind in St. Augustine, overseeing all operations, revenue management, and marketing for the property. The Collector will offer the quaint personal touches of a bed and breakfast with the modern amenities and service of an upscale inn. Adding to the diverse Charlestowne Hotels portfolio consisting of independent hotels and resorts, franchised properties and condo-hotels across the country, The Collector will be the company’s first property in the St. Augustine area.

An adaptive re-use project, The Collector will open at the site of the former Dow Museum of Historic Houses, a notable St. Augustine landmark dating back to 1790. Sitting on an acre of land on the edge of St. Augustine’s Old Town, the luxury inn will encompass much of the historic property’s original foundation and structure, occupying nine buildings with a total of 30 guest rooms. Upholding the inn’s history, each individually appointed room will have a unique historic feature such as coquina walls and refurbished hardwood floors from the property’s 18th century construction. Select suites will offer separate living rooms and verandas as well as fireplaces that have been restored from the original building.

“Managing a property like The Collector is a special chance for us to preserve and restore a significant landmark,” says Michael Tall, president and chief operating officer of Charlestowne Hotels. “Our longstanding success with independent boutique hotels combined with our dedication to sustainability will elevate the property as a notable destination in St. Augustine, inspiring guests to further explore the 450-year-old city’s deep-seated history.”

Aligning with St. Augustine’s Spanish influence, The Collector draws upon a fusion of modern Spanish and southern styles including exterior coquina walls, a combination of rough-hewn linens and silk. The design explores core themes of provenance, art, and romance, surrounding guests with museum-quality décor from the Dow collection of antiques, artifacts, and various sculptures, while artisanal finishes are revealed through carved stone, engraved metal and copper details. Combining living history with bespoke accommodations, a refurbished amphitheater will become The Collector’s hub for entertainment featuring live musical performances.

At The Collector, guests will enjoy daily complimentary amenities including European continental breakfast, specialty mid-day treats, and an evening garden reception. Other features include a heated outdoor pool, cozy outdoor fire pits, and a central bar, repurposed from St. Augustine’s first automotive garage, which will serve specialty craft cocktails using local spirits with historic flare. Aiming to provide guests with a new perspective and appreciation for the history of St. Augustine, the hotel team will coordinate tours of the city and programming led by locals.

“Opening The Collector as St. Augustine’s first upscale inn, we needed a hotel management team with a deep understanding of distinct hotels and a strong appreciation of repurposed and revitalized properties,” commented David Corneal, owner of the property. “Charlestowne Hotels was the natural choice to take our property to the next level with the goal of exceeding guest expectations and making The Collector the destination of choice in the highly competitive travel market.”

As The Collector nears completion, the Charlestowne Hotels team will oversee the property’s transition to full-service operations, employing a hands-on focus including regular coaching and staff training to optimize day-to-day hotel management. Dedicated revenue managers will apply a comprehensive operating system for all hotel finances, maximizing revenue potential and meeting the company’s standard for managing hotels with RevPAR growth that doubles the national average. Simultaneously, the Charlestowne Hotels marketing team will lead a brand development process.

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