Take a tour through the history of Phoenix Hospitality.
1987
1987
In the early years PHG built its reputation by taking under-performing properties in their specific markets and turning them positively around, beginning with the historic Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, TX.
Within two years the Gunter Hotel earned Four Diamond recognition, completed a very successful Chapter 11 reorganization and affiliated with Sheraton Hotels. Other hospitality clients during the “Distressed ’80s” include the Crockett Hotel, El Tropicana and Deluxe Inn in San Antonio; the Doubletree Hotel in Austin; the Grand Hotel at the Galleria in Houston (Currently known as The Derek); Carefree Inn and Resort, Carefree, AZ; and several distressed hotels in other Southwestern markets.
With each of these assets, the PHG team developed a vision, directed renovation and repositioning, provided management and timely sale of the hotels. In each case, they successfully coordinated affiliations with secure, profitable national hotel franchises, including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, Radisson and Intercontinental Hotel Group.
1990
1990
In 1990, Karena Hotels Texas, formed by a London-based hotel investment company, hired PHG as director/operator for its US hotel ventures and invested $50 million in Texas hotels including the development and opening of the Radisson Hotel San Antonio Market Square, the 325-room Holiday Inn Riverwalk North (formerly El Tropicana), the 211- room Holiday Inn Express (formerly Deluxe Inn) and the Sheraton Grand Hotel at the Galleria in Houston, Texas.
As CEO, McClure simultaneously directed the management of five hotels in Florida and development of the new Holiday Inn Maingate Disney World in 1991 owned by the London investment firm. The Radisson was completely retrofitted from an existing shell building to a 250- room full service hotel. PHG provided all development and pre-opening services for this $9.2 million project. The Holiday Inn Riverwalk North was closed and completely renovated to include the Holiday Inn franchise. PHG provided all development and pre-opening services for this $7 million project. PHG developed and managed the renovation of the Holiday Inn Express including the Holiday Inn franchise. This was a $2.5 million project. The Sheraton Grand was also completely renovated under PHG’s direction. This was a $9 million project. PHG was instrumental in converting a 198-room independent suite hotel in Austin, TX to a Summerfield Suites by Wyndham and converting a 200-room suite hotel in Houston, TX to a Springhill Suites by Marriot. These were both $3 million projects. Under Phoenix’s direction, each of these hotels completed multimillion dollar renovations and repositioning, resulting ultimately in the profitable sale of these assets. During the years 1990-1993 PHG provided management, marketing and development support to the $350,000 per room Holiday Inn Kensington in London, England and the new Holiday Inn Crown Palace in Lisbon, Portugal. PHG’s success is a result of its hands-on focused operating style fueled by experience and expertise. In order to maintain PHG’s formula for past successes, and in response to demand for PHG’s management and consulting expertise, a policy/philosophy was implemented in 1993 that PHG only accepts projects in which it has a profit participation or equity interest.
The first venture under this philosophy was the Guadalupe River Ranch, a 360-acre exclusive resort ranch and seminar / conference center in the Texas Hill Country, in which PHG acquired 50% interest. It was originally operated in the early ’90s as a private retreat center that was rented to groups only. Under PHG this Hill Country ranch was opened to the public and developed into a resort that featured gourmet food and a complete resort experience. During the 6+ years of PHG’s ownership and management, the Guadalupe River Ranch achieved many milestones including revenue growth from $300,000 to $3 million annually; a net operating income in excess of 20% in each of the last 3 years; and national acclaim for food, wine and service featured in Southern Living, Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, Gourmet, and Wine Spectator (Award of Excellence in 2000). PHG successfully sold its interest in the ranch in March of 2000 in order to facilitate future growth.
2000
2000
In 2000 PHG’s next venture was another boutique project, acquiring the historic Ye Kendall Inn in Boerne, TX a state and national historic landmark built in 1859. From the acquisition in 2000 to the selling of their interest in 2012, Ye Kendall Inn blossomed from humble beginnings as a 17 room Bed & Breakfast, to a bustling 36-room Inn, Conference Center Award Winning Restaurant and AVEDA Lifestyle Spa. PHG developed and managed the award winning Limestone Grille, which achieved many accolades & national acclaim for food, wine and service. Limestone Grille featured in Southern Living, Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, Gourmet, and Wine Spectator (Award of Excellence in 2000 – 2012). Ye Kendall Inn became one of the top and most sought after destinations for small group/corporate retreats, and celebrity weddings (Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert), The Inn hosted many of the groups who sought the gourmet food & resort experience from the Guadalupe River Ranch. Ye Kendall Inn was also know and sought after as the pre-eminent wedding destination in the Texas Hill Country and Boerne, for both locals and celebrities. PHG sold its interest in the Inn in 2012, again in order to facilitate future growth. 2008 began a focus on new development, with the construction of the 130 Suite Homewood Suites by Hilton at Stone Oak, which opened in August of 2008, and would be the first of many PHG ventures with Hilton.
2010
2010
In 2010, PHG developed and managed the successful conversion of the Radisson Market Square Hotel (which PHG had managed since 1992) to the new 250 Room Doubletree by Hilton San Antonio Downtown Hotel, bringing the hotel to new life, and a renewed management and license agreement.
2013
2013
The years 2013 – 2017 PHG continued its focus on new and future development, and a deeper relationship with Hilton hotels.
2016
2016
PHG next developed a Hotel/Convention Center project in Live Oak, TX (North San Antonio) with the construction of the 138 room Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center.
PHG is the General Partner and manages this hotel. This venture was the first of many public/private partnerships for PHG and local municipalities developing hotels with conference centers. The Hilton Garden Inn Live Oak opened in January 2016.
2017
2017
In their second public/private partnership venture, PHG developed the 156 Suite Embassy Suites Hotel, Spa & Conference Center at Brooks City Base
The landmark project was visionary and pioneering; the first of what will be many projects in a partnership with Brooks Development Authority to bring additional investment to San Antonio’s Southeast Side. The hotel features 23,000 square feet of meeting space, a salon, and world-class spa with Salt Cave. The Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa at Brooks City Base opened in May of 2017.
In November 2017, PHG acquired the Hotel Indigo San Antonio Riverwalk. PHG is General Partner and manager of the property, which will undergo significant upgrading, repositioning of food & beverage to be a premiere “arts” hotel in the burgeoning upper/Pearl channel of the famed San Antonio Riverwalk. The Indigo is location between two former PHG projects, the El Tropicana and the Hotel Havana.
2018
2018
PHG assisted in the acquisition of the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, and is the developer for the 30-million dollar renovation and re-introduction of the historic El Tropicano on the San Antonio Riverwalk as a Tapestry Collection Hotel by Hilton
2019
2019
PHG developed the 120 Room Bevy Hotel Boerne, a Doubletree by Hilton and was awarded the New Build of the Year Award for North America by Hilton.
PHG completed the renovation and reintroduction of the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel San Antonio Downtown with refreshed restaurant and lobby spaces.
2020
2020
PHG completed the complete renovation and reintroduction of the Hotel Indigo on the San Antonio Riverwalk
2021
2021
Phoenix Hospitality Group is awarded management of the William Hotel in Boerne, TX. The luxury boutique property is located in the heart of Boerne at 170 S Main Street. It features 11 uniquely designed guestrooms with gorgeous balconies overlooking Main Street.
Future development projects are underway and include a New boutique lakefront hotel in Marble Falls, Texas.
2022
2022
Future development projects are underway and include a New boutique lakefront hotel, The Ophelia Hotel Marble Falls, A Tapestry Collection by Hilton Hotel.