Community-powered hospitality
Call Erik Warner the conscience of the hotel business. While certainly not asking for that title, by any means, the co-founder of investment firm Eagle Point Hotel Partners (EPHP) in New York City is very steadfast in his belief that more hotel owners and operators must do much more to make the world a better place. “I am encouraging all of us to meaningfully connect our guests into our communities and to each other. That’s it. Make a pledge,” he implored.
Never wanting to be defined, Warner nonetheless does fit into the new and growing number of independent developer/operators who focus on being community driven and believe in the greater good the hotel business can provide. And, not surprisingly, he visibly shudders when he considers creating spaces in his hotels for Instagram-able moments because Warner says they are unsustainable – they have no meaning and evaporate into the ether in a matter of seconds. No photo opps for him, please. It is simply and nobly about connecting guests with staff and the local communities for the betterment of humanity.