Home furnishings company West Elm is expanding into the hospitality industry with West Elm Hotels, a partnership with hospitality management and development company DDK, beginning with properties in Detroit; Minneapolis; Savannah, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Indianapolis. Doors are expected to open in late 2018.
Courtesy West Elm
“After 26 consecutive quarters of double-digit comparative growth, including our successful entry into the commercial furnishings market with West Elm Workspace, we’ve created an active bond with our customers that can extend beyond home and work,” says Jim Brett, president of West Elm. “By adapting the framework design of each hotel to reflect the mood and identity of its host city, we will continue to engage the adventurous spirit of our customers as they follow us to our next level of hospitality.”
Each of the hotels will reflect local design and traditional decor, crafts and cuisine, and guests can purchase items that appear in the hotels online at WestElm.com. As The Wall Street Journalreports, each hotel will have 100 to 250 rooms, and rates will range from $175 to over $400 a night.
“There is a growing desire among modern travelers to immerse themselves in the place they are visiting. They want a boutique experience, and expect great, reliable service that caters to their needs,” says David Bowd, co-founder of DDK. “Our general managers will serve as innkeepers, and West Elm Hotels will focus on making real community connections for visitors and residents alike.”