OLS Hotels & Resorts, a hotel management company consisting of 22 hotels and resorts throughout the U.S., appointed Rob Robinson to VP. In his new role, Robinson will oversee OLS Hotels & Resorts’ Hawaii operations, while working with CEO Ben Rafter and his team to expand the company’s footprint in the Hawaiian market.
“I am very pleased to welcome Rob as VP at such a pivotal time in Hawaii for OLS,” Rafter said in a statement. “Together we have managed over 50 hotels and nearly 15,000 rooms in the Hawaii market, and Rob has a wealth of local hospitality knowledge and leadership experience. He will be an incredible asset to our team as we embark upon tremendous growth in the years ahead.”
“I’m excited to join the OLS Hotels & Resorts team during a dynamic time and look forward to working with Ben to grow OLS into one of Hawaii’s top local management companies,” Robinson said in a statement. “We both deeply care about Hawaii and its hospitality industry, and I believe that with our experience and expertise, we will create some real excitement in the market, not only for our guests but for our partners as well.”
Earlier in the year, OLS Hotels & Resorts began operating Hotel Renew, which was the first boutique property to launch in Waikiki in 2008. OLS is planning a renovation for the property to restore the hotel to its boutique roots with updated rooms, amenities and guest experiences. Other Hawaiian hotels currently in OLS’ portfolio include the Plantation Hale Suites in Kapaa, and Banyan Harbor Resort in Lihue on Kauai. The management company has plans to add additional Hawaiian properties to its portfolio over the next few years.
Prior to joining OLS Hotels & Resorts, Robinson worked for Highgate, a real estate investment and hospitality management company. Most recently, he served as managing director, overseeing hotels in Highgate’s Waikiki portfolio. During his tenure in Hawaii, Highgate increased its portfolio to nearly 3,000 rooms in the Waikiki market. Prior to this role, Robinson served as GM of the 839-room Pacific Beach Hotel, which he led through a $115-million redevelopment, repositioning and rebranding the property to ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Previously he held several executive leadership roles with both Highgate and Kimpton Hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area in properties ranging from 200 to more than 1,000 rooms. Before entering the hotel business, Robinson was a successful restaurateur owning and operating restaurants and bars in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Currently, Robinson sits on the executive board of directors as vice chairman for the Waikiki Improvement Association, and holds board positions with the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, the Waikiki Business Improvement District Association and is a founding board member of the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association.