The Indigo Road Hospitality Group and Larry Spelts, president of the company’s Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures division, will mutually part ways after successfully expanding the hospitality company into the hotel industry officially nearly four years ago at the America's Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles in 2020.

In 2019, upon ten years of success with restaurants and our next adventure of lodging on the horizon, Larry was the first person that I thought of collaborating with. A former colleague and friend, he had established a reputation within our industry of transforming and growing hospitality companies focused upon experience-driven hospitality, and independent and boutique hotels. Larry joined us at Indigo Road, and we quickly saw success in attracting and developing hotel opportunities. Steve Palmer, founder and chief visionary officer of The Indigo Road

In addition to building an experienced team of hotel professionals and guiding the division through the COVID-19 pandemic, Spelts spearheaded the acquisition and subsequent 2021 renovation and reopening of Skyline Lodge in Highlands, NC, a property that has garnered multiple accolades, earning spots on several prestigious "best-of" travel media lists. After Skyline, Larry led the planning of additional projects, including four properties scheduled to open in 2024.

Leadership Change to Align on Future Lodging

The rapid expansion of The Indigo Road’s Lodging & Lifestyle division in recent years, led by Spelts, renowned for his ability to drive significant portfolio growth, has sparked internal conversations about the challenge of sustaining the company's distinctive culture amidst anticipated future growth. Balancing the fast pace of expansion with preserving the company’s core values, which have been crucial to its success, is a primary focus.

“As a result, our team has decided to prioritize current locations and forthcoming 2024 projects and pause on future new development opportunities,” Palmer said. “To maintain our mutual professional respect and years-long friendship, we came to this decision. Larry and I agree that this is the best course of action for us both and to preserve the successful and meaningful Indigo Road culture. I thank Larry for setting us on a trajectory of success in hotels, and I look forward to seeing his future successful endeavors.”

"These past four years have been the best and also the most challenging of my career, and if I have one take-away as I depart, it is that The Indigo Road's culture is the core of its success,” Spelts said. “The pause in developing additional growth on the hotel side of the business is a good opportunity to ensure that the culture is successfully established at the new hotels which will enable a steady and measured addition of more hotels in the future."

The Indigo Road Promotes from within following Spelts' exit

Effective immediately, The Indigo Road has elevated Gabriel Perez to COO of Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures, ensuring a seamless transition in leadership for the company’s employees, owners, investors, and strategic partners.

Previously holding the position of senior director of lodging operations at The Indigo Road, Perez was instrumental in advancing operational standards across the company's portfolio of boutique hotels in the Southeast. Prior to this new appointment, his commitment to excellence was evident during his tenure as both general manager and director for The Indigo Road. His extensive hospitality experience also includes being a general manager with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Highgate, along with experience at several other prominent hotel brands.

“Taking on the role of COO for our Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures division is an exciting challenge," Perez said. "Larry has done a fantastic job laying the groundwork, and I'm here to build on that. My goal is to give our existing properties the attention they deserve while pushing forward with projects slated to open in the new year. Keeping our unique culture alive and well is a top priority for me. It's all about growing our business without losing sight of what makes us special.” 

About The Indigo Road Hospitality Group

Founded in 2009 by Steve Palmer, The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG) owns, operates, and manages restaurants and boutique hotels throughout the country. Based in the Southeast, IRHG is founded upon the core principle of serving with love and creating memorable experiences for all. In 2019, IRHG marked its tenth anniversary by being named a Forbes Small Giant and appearing on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list, and in 2020 announced that it would enter the lodging space with a focus on food & beverage driven boutique hotels. As of December 2023, IRHG has three open and operating hotels, with additional acquisitions under contract, and four scheduled openings in 2024, in addition to more than two dozen restaurants in eight cities. The Indigo Road's dedication to excellence in food & beverage has been recognized for three consecutive years ('18,'19, & '20) by Palmer being named a semi-finalist by the James Beard Foundation's award for Outstanding Restaurateur-US. For more information on the portfolio, team, core values, and services, visit theindigoroad.com.

CJ Arlotta
CJ Media Solutions, LLC
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group

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