As Charlestowne Hotels marks its 45th anniversary, CEO Kyle Hughey credits the company’s longevity to its willingness to evolve and its commitment to independent ownership and tailored hotel management.
“It’s a legacy company,” he said. “Forty-five years is a milestone in the industry, and it’s even more special over the last five to 10 years as other companies have merged or consolidated, while we’ve been able to stand alone and continue to do great things for our owners.”
That independence, he said, has been sustained through constant evolution. Founded as an owner-operator, Charlestowne transitioned into third-party management before carving out a niche in the independent hotel sector about 15 years ago. “We’ve had multiple iterations,” he said. “You have to evolve and find your place in the industry to hold on for 45 years.”
The company manages about 65 properties across the country, offering full management, revenue management or marketing services. Hughey attributes much of the company’s success to its tailored approach.
“We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach,” he said. “We start by understanding the vision of each owner. Is it something special for the community? Is it financially driven? Is it a source of pride? We have to be agile to each owner’s priorities.”
That adaptability has been particularly effective in the university hotel segment, where Charlestowne manages properties in 13 college markets—nine of them owned by universities.
“At Elon University, for example, their bottom line goes back to scholarships,” Hughey said. “We make sure we deliver great service and strong performance, but also that as much as possible goes back to benefit the students.”
While mergers and acquisitions have reshaped much of the hotel management landscape, remaining independent has been a deliberate choice for Charlestowne.
“When you combine companies, you can lose some decision-making ability,” he said. “You start growing for the sake of growth, and sometimes that means taking on properties that aren’t a good fit. We like being selective and having the flexibility to say no.”
Hughey said Charlestowne has been approached regularly about potential mergers but has no regrets about staying independent. “Five years ago, we were getting a lot of interest, but we’ve seen how some of those deals played out,” he said. “We’re glad we didn’t do it. Our clients continue to get top-notch service from us.”
Charlestowne’s growth strategy remains focused on organic expansion and strong ownership alignment. New additions to the portfolio include Hotel Nell in Washington, DC; Hotel Flora in Santa Fe, NM; and a refreshed Inn at Aspen in Colorado.
Hotel Flora, Hughey said, exemplifies Charlestowne’s approach to adaptive reuse and local authenticity.
“The owners live in Santa Fe and have taken great care to preserve the building’s heritage,” he said. “We came alongside them to help modernize it and amplify the services while keeping it connected to the community.”
The Inn at Aspen, by contrast, is a condo-hotel that Charlestowne has managed for several years.
“We wanted to move the product up a few notches so it stays relevant,” he said. “Aspen is a tough market, and a refresh helps us deliver more value for the owners.”
Every Charlestowne property is different, and “that’s why we can’t have a one-size-fits-all approach,” Hughey said. “It also goes with brand and storytelling.”
The firm operates a full in-house marketing agency that focuses on brand storytelling, sensory engagement and local authenticity.
“People used to just want a comfortable bed and a hot shower,” Hughey said. “Now they want a full experience, and they’re willing to pay for it. We make sure there’s continuity of brand from the online presence through the stay and departure.”
The company has also expanded into soft-branded partnerships. Hughey said the soft-brand model aligns well with Charlestowne’s strengths.
“The brands have realized guests want more than sameness—they want experience,” he said. “Soft brands allow creativity in uniforms, services and amenities, while still providing the benefits of brand distribution. We were built for that.”
As the company looks toward its 50th anniversary, Hughey sees opportunities in technology and selective growth.
“We want to be early adopters when it makes sense for our clients,” he said. “We’re data-driven, high-touch and always evolving.”
While no major celebration is planned this year, Hughey said the focus remains on execution. “We’ve had a great 2025, with new takeovers and developments in the pipeline,” he said. “There’s a lot of wood to chop, but we’ll save the big celebration for 50.”
