U.S.-based hospitality entrepreneurs John Russell, Chris Jones, David Klein and David Young are teaming up with Auro Hospitality Group, LLC, the visionaries behind one of India’s top lodging companies, Chennai-based Auromatrix, to create a company that aims to bring the next generation of lifestyle hotels and related products to major cities worldwide: Advaya.
The name couldn’t be better, as the Sanskrit meaning reveals. What travelers can expect from Advaya translates in unity, uniqueness and second to none qualities. The new company claims expertise that spans the entire hospitality universe. Collectively, its members have worked with hundreds of branded and independent hotels – across segments from budget to luxury – worldwide, and their expertise includes: development, financing, construction, operations, franchising, sales and marketing, acquisition, disposition, fundraising, design and all related legal matters.
The media coverage so far is superior to any other startup launch, and we are not talking press release clichés. This is a company that launched with full financial power, a clearly defined marketing plan, and a superior PR interjection, managed mainly by Ypartnership PR.
CEO John Russell, a heavy player in the hospitality industry, spoke about the new international power-player in front of industry insiders at the International Hotel Motel + Restaurant Show, New York this week. Advaya is well funded, he said, and it already has strategic expansion plans that would make the some of the strongest players in the industry green with envy. For starters, Advaya is committed to building 10 hotels in India over a two-year period, starting in the second quarter of 2011. And then, the company will create and manage a U.S. fund for real estate acquisitions to accelerate brand growth in key cities, such as New York, Miami and Atlanta.
“During these next 18 months, we will see an excellent environment for acquiring hotels particularly in gateway cities,” Russell notes. “With access to capital, Advaya will aggressively leverage these outstanding opportunities for growth.”
From the official press release we learn that Advaya will also acquire, franchise and build full-service and select-service sister brands. In the U.S., newly constructed properties will have 60 – 155 rooms, a restaurant, bar and lounge, meeting space, gym and business center. The hotels promise an upbeat vibe; the latest technology; and fun, unexpected design flourishes throughout. They will cater to business and leisure travelers with a passion for music, technology, design and cuisine.