Columbia Sussex

What Columbia Sussex does

Columbia Sussex Corporation is a privately held hotel ownership and management company founded in 1972 by William J. Yung III and headquartered in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. The company acquires, renovates, and operates full-service branded hotels across the United States (with limited Caribbean exposure in St. Maarten and the Cayman Islands), functioning as a third-party franchisee of major hospitality brands including Marriott (Marriott, Renaissance, Westin, JW Marriott, Courtyard), Hilton (Hilton, DoubleTree, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Tapestry Collection), Hyatt, and IHG. As of 2025 the portfolio spans 40+ hotels and 5,001–10,000 employees, with recent additions including the Westin Dallas Downtown (Dec 2024), Westin Washington D.C. City Center (early 2025), Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, The Westin Westminster, and The Inverness Denver (both Sept 2025), and the JW Marriott Naples development (opening 2027).

The business model is asset-heavy and operationally integrated: Columbia Sussex purchases real estate, funds comprehensive renovations, and operates the properties under franchisor brand standards, generating consolidated revenue from room revenue, food and beverage, meetings and events, and ancillary services at each location. There is no proprietary technology platform; the company relies on franchisor reservation systems, brand.com direct channels, OTAs (Expedia, Booking.com), and GDS networks for distribution. The corporate technology stack is described as conventional, with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary software. Operations are organized around hotel-level execution in F&B, sales, events, and engineering, with an internal-promotion culture noted across multi-decade tenures.

Revenue is generated at the property level across leisure (beach, golf, spa) and corporate/group segments, with particular emphasis on convention-capable full-service assets. Pricing is dynamic by property, season, and brand tier and is not publicly disclosed at the corporate level. The most recent disclosed revenue figure is $665M for 2007, and Columbia Sussex topped Greater Cincinnati's 'The 100' list that year. The company remains wholly family-owned under CEO William J. Yung III, formalized a Board of Directors in 2025 for multi-generational governance continuity, and was ranked #3 in the 2025 J.D. Power North America Third-Party Hotel Management Guest Satisfaction Benchmark (703/1,000).

Name

Columbia Sussex

Legal name

Columbia Sussex Corporation

Website

https://columbiasussex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Columbia Sussex is a privately held, family-owned hotel ownership and management company that acquires, renovates, and operates 40+ full-service branded hotels across the United States under Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG franchises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hotel Ownership and Management

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Traveler Accommodation (7211), Accommodation (721)

SIC

Hotels & Motels (7011), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Business & Corporate Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Golf & Leisure Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAH), Large-Scale Headquarters Convention Hotels (THAGALAH)

Keywords

• Hotel ownership management
• Full-service hotels
• Hospitality asset acquisition
• Branded hotel operations
• Hotel franchise management

Headquarters

HQ city

Kenton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hotel Management Fees: Columbia Sussex earns revenue by owning and operating full-service hotels under franchise agreements with major brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG. The company acquires hotels, renovates them, and manages day-to-day operations, generating income from room bookings, food and beverage, events, and ancillary services at each property.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Columbia Sussex Corporation is a privately held hotel ownership and management company that acquires, renovates, and operates full-service hotels across the United States. The company owns and manages a portfolio of more than 40 hotels under franchise agreements with major hospitality brands including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG, generating revenue from room bookings, food and beverage, events, and ancillary services. Its core focus is on convention-capable full-service and resort properties in key urban and resort markets.

Product overview

Columbia Sussex Corporation operates as a hotel ownership and management company with a portfolio of 40+ full-service hotels across the United States. The company manages a diverse collection of branded properties through partnerships with major hospitality brands including Marriott (Marriott, Renaissance, Westin), Hilton (Hilton, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn, DoubleTree), Hyatt (Hyatt Regency), and independent properties. Core offerings include hotel management services covering operations, food & beverage, sales, events, and engineering, combined with strategic hotel acquisition and development services. The company has been expanding its portfolio through acquisitions of convention-capable full-service hotels in key markets, with notable recent additions including JW Marriott Naples (opening 2027), Westin Washington D.C. City Center, The Westin Westminster, The Inverness Denver, Westin Dallas Downtown, and Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. The company also develops new properties and renovates existing hotels, such as the ongoing comprehensive renovation of the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and Westin Washington DC City Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• JW Marriott Naples A luxury JW Marriott hotel under development in Naples, Florida, anticipated to open in 2027, representing Columbia Sussex's entry into the refined luxury segment of its hotel portfolio.
• Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort A 744-room oceanfront Hilton resort in Daytona Beach, FL, featuring modern rooms, suites with private balconies, pet-friendly cabanas, multiple pools, and proximity to Daytona International Speedway; currently undergoing comprehensive renovation.
• Westin Washington, D.C. City Center A 410-room urban full-service Westin hotel in Washington, D.C., formerly owned by DiamondRock Hospitality, located in the nation's capital business and government travel market.
• The Westin Westminster A 370-room, 14-story full-service Westin hotel in Westminster, Colorado, with 76,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, representing strategic entry into the Denver metropolitan market.
• The Inverness Denver, a Hilton Golf & Spa Resort A 302-room Hilton Golf and Spa Resort in Englewood, Colorado, situated on a sprawling campus with an 18-hole golf course, multiple dining options, spa, and indoor/outdoor event spaces.
• Westin Dallas Downtown A 326-room premium full-service Westin hotel in Dallas, TX, located in the One Main Place tower featuring 117 suites (36%), oversized guest rooms averaging 541 SF, and 35,000 SF of meeting space.
• Sirata Beach Resort, Tapestry Collection by Hilton A 382-key beachfront resort in St. Pete Beach, FL, undergoing a $25 million renovation and transitioning into the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand.
• Boulders Resort, Golf and Spa A 160-room golf and spa resort in Carefree, Arizona, offering luxury accommodations in the Sonoran Desert with championship golf and spa services.
• JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa A 200-room luxury JW Marriott resort on Dawn Beach in Sint Maarten, offering spa, beach access, and event facilities.
• St. Pete Shores Hotel An independent hotel property in St. Pete Beach, FL, operated without a major brand affiliation, representing Columbia Sussex's independent hotel operations.
• Hotel Management Services Full-service hotel ownership and management services including hotel operations, food & beverage, sales, events, engineering, and management across branded and independent hotel properties in the United States.
• Hotel Acquisition & Development Strategic acquisition and development of hotel properties across key U.S. markets, with focus on convention-capable full-service hotels and resort properties.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked #3 in J.D. Power North America Third-Party Hotel Management Guest Satisfaction Benchmark in 2025, scoring 703/1000

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Crestview Management LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbia Sussex and its affiliate Crestview Management LLC, both based in the Kentucky part of Greater Cincinnati, jointly develop hotels including the JW Marriott Naples (opening 2027). The affiliated entity collaborates on development projects and hotel acquisitions.
• Marriott InternationalcoreOthersColumbia Sussex operates numerous properties under Marriott brands including Marriott, Renaissance, Westin, JW Marriott, and Courtyard. The company is one of Marriott's largest third-party management franchisees.
• HiltoncoreOthersColumbia Sussex operates properties under Hilton brands including Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Doubletree by Hilton, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and Hilton Golf & Spa Resort. The company is a Hilton franchisee.
• HyattcoreOthersColumbia Sussex operates Hyatt Regency Indianapolis under the Hyatt brand franchise.
• IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)minorOthersColumbia Sussex operates select properties under IHG brands including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and related brands within its portfolio.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Marriott International: Largest global hotel franchisor and the largest brand partner of Columbia Sussex. Relevant as both a key business partner and a benchmark for branded hotel operating economics.
• Hyatt Hotels Corporation: Major global hospitality brand and franchisor. Comparable as a brand partner and competing asset owner/operator, providing context for brand economics and franchise relationships that drive Columbia Sussex's economics.

Direct peers

• Crescent Hotels & Resorts: Hotel owner and third-party operator managing branded and independent full-service properties across the US. Comparable in franchise-based operating model and resort/urban portfolio focus.
• White Lodging: Indiana-based, family-influenced hotel owner and operator of Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG-branded full-service and select-service properties. Closely comparable in family heritage, Midwest roots, and franchisee strategy.
• Aimbridge Hospitality: Largest third-party hotel management company in North America, operating franchised full-service and resort properties across major brands. Directly comparable to Columbia Sussex in business model (franchisee/operator), customer base (brand franchisors and travelers), and scale.
• Pyramid Hotel Group: Boston-based third-party hotel management company operating branded full-service hotels across the US. Comparable in size, franchisee business model, and convention/resort property mix.
• Remington Hospitality: Privately held hotel management company operating franchised full-service, luxury, and resort properties under major brands. Closely comparable in privately-held ownership, multi-brand strategy, and focus on convention-capable assets.
• Davidson Hotels & Resorts: Atlanta-based operator of full-service branded and independent hotels and resorts. Comparable in operating third-party management model and emphasis on full-service urban/resort assets.
• Highgate Hotels: Large privately held hotel owner, operator, and investor managing full-service and luxury properties under major brands (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG). Directly comparable in franchise-based operating model and urban/resort portfolio focus.

Emerging players

• Hersha Hospitality Management: Hotel owner and operator focused on urban lifestyle and branded full-service properties, primarily in gateway markets. Smaller scale than Columbia Sussex but comparable in operating model and brand mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbia-sussex-corporation
• Xx.com/columbiasussex

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbia Sussex