HQ Hotels & Residences, the newly launched lifestyle hospitality brand spearheaded by sbe Chairman & CEO, Sam Nazarian, has appointed Mike Metcalf as President of HQ Hotels. With over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Metcalf joins the HQ Hotels team from Crescent Hotels & Resorts, where he served as COO, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Operations and Vice President Business Development over his 18 years with Crescent. Throughout his tenure, Metcalf played a pivotal role in Crescent’s expansion and development, overseeing a significant growth in their hotel portfolio.
As VP of Business Development, he led the acquisition of 8 hotels in just 18 months, contributing to the company’s expansion from 28 hotels to over 110. As COO, Metcalf prioritized operational excellence, property financial performance, and client relationships, overseeing full service hotels, premium focused service hotels, and premium golf resorts. Crescent currently operates over 110 hotels across the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Metcalf’s experience extends beyond Crescent, with significant contributions to the hospitality industry for many years. He served as General Manager of the original Delta Orlando, a 900-room hotel at Universal Studios, and as General Manager of the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He also spent 15 years with ITT Sheraton in various roles encompassing operations, sales & marketing, finance, and corporate staffing across the US and Canada. He further honed his expertise through six years of consulting on diverse projects in Hawaii, LA, New York, Florida, and the Caribbean, focusing on bank workouts, asset management, and underwriting loans.
Sam Nazarian, Chairman & CEO of sbe, expressed his enthusiasm for Metcalf’s appointment, stating, “Mike joins HQ Hotels at a pivotal stage of its launch ahead of the first HQ hotel openings in Montreux, Switzerland and Detroit, Michigan. His extensive background in hospitality at every level and his business acumen make him the ideal choice for HQ and we are delighted to have him at the brand’s helm.”
Mike Metcalf, President of HQ Hotels, outlined his vision for the brand’s future, stating, “As the HQ brand launches globally, my focus will be to source new deals, develop brand standards, and ensure we deliver on the HQ brand promise to guests, employees, and owners alike. We’re creating a unique and global hotel experience specifically targeting Gen Z and Millennial travelers. In particular, we see the savvy Latin American travel demographic as integral. With a major portion of the brand experience driven by activations conceptualized at our bars and restaurants, our hotels will be known for their entertainment value with iconic F&B partners including Disruptive Restaurant Group (DRG), and the largest premium quick service restaurant brand Everybody Eats.”
HQ Hotels & Residences is poised to become a leader in the hospitality industry through its dedication to innovation, sophistication, and a unique blend of cultural and smart lifestyle elements. In partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the vision is to create desirable destinations that cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers who seek memorable experiences and connectivity. HQ has secured strategic investment from entertainment icon and entrepreneur, Marc Anthony and his company Magnus, allowing the brand to connect with the most sought-after audiences.
Through collaborations with top chefs and culinary visionaries, HQ will offer exclusive dining experiences that merge innovative gastronomy with traditional flavors. The restaurants will provide guests with a journey through exquisite tastes and exceptional service. sbe has a history of bringing innovative culinary concepts to life. In its next phase of growth, sbe’s Disruptive Restaurant Group will create more cutting-edge dining experiences through owned and managed restaurants through partnerships with modern culinary icons including Chef Katsuya Uechi, Chef Dani Garcia, Chef Wes Avila, and many more. Additionally, Everybody Eats, the largest premium QSR brand and digital food company, will continue to drive connectivity with the most sought-after audiences such as Millennials, Gen-Z, and Latin communities through partnerships like TOMA, a brand developed in collaboration with world-renowned actress Sofia Vergara and her son, Manolo Vergara.
As nightlife has always been an sbe signature, it will remain a focus for HQ. Through strategic alliances with leading entertainment brands, HQ will provide vibrant nightlife and entertainment options. The combination of Metcalf’s leadership, HQ’s innovative approach, and sbe’s established expertise in hospitality, entertainment, and culinary experiences creates a compelling vision for a new generation of travelers seeking unique, sophisticated, and culturally enriching experiences.
