HILTON ANNOUNCES SPRINGWOOD AS DEVELOPMENT AWARD WINNER

December 19,2016

Multi-Brand Developer of the Year: Springwood Hospitality

Congratulations to the team at Springwood Hospitality on winning the 2015 Multi-Brand Developer of the Year Award for a truly impressive list of properties:

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Lancaster
• Home2 Suites by Hilton York
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Harrisburg
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Frederick
• Tru by Hilton Lancaster
• Tru by Hilton York
• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton York
• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Hershey
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Frederick
• Homewood Suites by Hilton York

Springwood Hospitality is a valued partner and has demonstrated a passionate commitment to Hilton brands — enjoying success thanks to their “Springwood Essentials.” David tells us the first rule of thumb is, “Do what is fair and right – always.” Springwood seeks to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. They attract successful neighbors and new job opportunities, partner with local not-for-profit organizations and deliver consistently superior performances, making them the perfect choice for Developer of the Year.

David says he learned an important lesson years ago, when he owned other brands and realized that Hampton by Hilton outperformed his best brand by 25%. He sold the others and is now starting construction on his fourth Hilton product in that market. “Hilton’s development of the Home2 and Tru brands has enabled us to grow rapidly. Our Hilton products don’t cannibalize one another, and we have become a force in the local hotel market. Today all of our under-construction and in-the-pipeline hotels are either Home2 or Tru. That won’t always be the case, but we are thankful that Hilton’s cutting-edge brand development has enabled us to profitably and aggressively grow a small hotel company,” he says.

Springwood Hospitality DNA
David and his team pride themselves on Springwood Hospitality’s hard-earned reputation. “Over the years we have been candid about our business, even when the news was unpleasant; folks have learned that when we tell them something, they can take it to the bank. If we miss a development deadline or we fall short of a sales projection, we tell the truth and explain the steps we’re taking to fix it. We give proper credit when things go really well. In time, people have learned that’s just our DNA. Today it’s much easier to get a necessary contract extension or extra attention from a local municipality, because folks don’t waste energy questioning our motives,” he says.

They’re just as meticulous about where they choose to develop. “We focus within a three-hour drive of our office, so we can make a meaningful visit to any hotel and still be home for (a late) dinner. Within that geography, we seek underserved submarkets with high barriers to entry. Our most successful hotels are in markets where it took five or more years to find our first site,” he adds.

David feels the hotel business is for those who pursue it full-time so they can push the envelope on technology, sales, service, revenue management, and brands.  “That’s where the profit is. We recently exited three other industries to devote 100% of our energy to what we do best: develop and manage hotels with excellence!”

He has sound advice to offer others seeking to emulate Springwood Hospitality’s success. “Partner with the best brand; get the best broker, engineer, architect and general contractor you can find. When the chemistry is right and you understand each other’s expectations, you’ve assembled a team that can accomplish amazing things. Hotel development requires putting a band together; you’re never playing solo. When every musician is up to the task, the sound is awesome.”

• Reprinted from “Hilton New & Now” franchisee update newsletter 12-19-2016