An adaptive re-use project, The Collector will open at the site of the former Dow Museum of Historic Houses, a notable St. Augustine landmark dating back to 1790. Sitting on an acre of land on the edge of St. Augustine’s Old Town, the luxury inn will encompass much of the historic property’s original foundation and structure, occupying nine buildings with a total of 30 guest rooms. Upholding the inn’s history, each individually appointed room will have a unique historic feature such as coquina walls and refurbished hardwood floors from the property’s 18th century construction. Select suites will offer separate living rooms and verandas as well as fireplaces that have been restored from the original building.

“Managing a property like The Collector is a special chance for us to preserve and restore a significant landmark,” says Michael Tall, president and chief operating officer of Charlestowne Hotels. “Our longstanding success with independent boutique hotels combined with our dedication to sustainability will elevate the property as a notable destination in St. Augustine, inspiring guests to further explore the 450-year-old city’s deep-seated history.”

Aligning with St. Augustine’s Spanish influence, The Collector draws upon a fusion of modern Spanish and southern styles including exterior coquina walls, a combination of rough-hewn linens and luxurious silk. The design explores core themes of provenance, art and romance, surrounding guests with museum-quality décor from the Dow collection of antiques, artifacts and various sculptures, while artisanal finishes are revealed through carved stone, engraved metal and copper details. Combining living history with bespoke accommodations, a refurbished amphitheater will become The Collector’s hub for entertainment featuring live musical performances.

Known for managing hotel properties with unparalleled guest experiences, Charlestowne Hotels will implement a signature set of indulgent “surprise and delight” amenities, a distinguishing characteristic among many Charlestowne Hotels properties. At The Collector, guests will enjoy daily complimentary amenities including European continental breakfast, specialty mid-day treats and an evening garden reception. Other features include a heated outdoor pool, cozy outdoor fire pits and a central bar, repurposed from St. Augustine’s first automotive garage, which will serve specialty craft cocktails using local spirits with historic flare. Aiming to provide guests with a new perspective and appreciation for the history of St. Augustine, the hotel team will coordinate tours of the city and programming led by locals.

“Opening The Collector as St. Augustine’s first upscale inn, we needed a hotel management team with a deep understanding of distinct hotels and a strong appreciation of repurposed and revitalized properties,” commented David Corneal, owner of the property. “Charlestowne Hotels was the natural choice to take our property to the next level with the goal of exceeding guest expectations and making The Collector the destination of choice in the highly competitive travel market.”

As The Collector nears completion, the Charlestowne Hotels team will oversee the property’s transition to full-service operations, employing a hands-on focus including regular coaching and staff training to optimize day-to-day hotel management. Dedicated revenue managers will apply a comprehensive operating system for all hotel finances, maximizing revenue potential and meeting the company’s standard for managing hotels with RevPAR growth that doubles the national average. Simultaneously, the Charlestowne Hotels marketing team will lead a brand development process, leveraging foundational pillars of immersive, historic lodging and sensory experiences to cultivate recognition among travelers and position the property as a high-end accommodation option with authentic, localized experiences minutes from the famous St. Augustine beaches.

Dedicated to sustaining the extraordinary stories and artisanal qualities of St. Augustine, Charlestowne Hotels and David Corneal will combine efforts to develop The Collector, Luxury Inn and Gardens into a property that is the most distinctive and historically-conscious hospitality offering in the city. To learn more about Charlestowne Hotels and their portfolio of adaptive reuse properties and upcoming developments, please visit www.CharlestowneHotels.com.

About Charlestowne Hotels, Inc.
Charlestowne Hotels is a full-service hospitality management company offering innovative, yet proven, expertise in hotel management. Armed with the latest technologies and a deep understanding of industry trends, Charlestowne Hotels engages in innovative, hands-on management that maximizes profitability through a potent combination of revenue management, sales and marketing, and financial reporting. Founded in 1980 by CEO Everett L. Smith, Jr., Charlestowne Hotels has become one of the top ranked hotel management companies in the US. The firm is a “Top 100” ranked hotel management company by the industry’s four leading trade journals, as determined by a combination of properties, rooms, and revenue under management.

Its current portfolio includes AAA Four Diamond hotels, luxury boutique historic inns, beachfront condominium hotels, deluxe mountain inns, and branded full-service and limited-service properties, and stretches from the Atlantic seaboard to Wyoming. Charlestowne’s proficiency in managing a diverse portfolio of properties has led to numerous industry accolades including Condè Nast Magazine “Gold List” and “Top 100 Hotels in the United States” awards, TripAdvisor’s #1 Luxury Hotel in the United States award, Expedia’s “Top 10 Four Star Hotels in the US” award, as well as other national media and AAA honors.

Charlestowne Hotel’s portfolio includes the Andrew Pinckney Inn, Best Western King Charles Inn, Best Western Sweetgrass Inn, French Quarter Inn, The Elliott House Inn, The Society House, The HarbourView Inn, Zero George, The Inn at Middleton Place, Holiday Inn Express Charleston, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Mt. Pleasant, Holiday Inn Express Medical Area, North Charleston Inn, Shem Creek Inn, and the Sleep Inn – all of which are located in the Charleston, SC area; The Palms Hotel – Isle of Palms, SC; Surfside Beach Resort – Surfside Beach, SC; The Oceanfront Litchfield Inn – Pawleys Island, SC; Springmaid Beach Resort – Myrtle Beach, SC; Lookaway Inn and Rosemary Inn Bed & Breakfast – North Augusta, SC; Sea Trail Golf Resort & Convention Center – Sunset Beach, NC; Planters Inn at Reynolds Square – Savannah, GA; Glenstone Lodge – Gatlinburg, TN; Runaway Beach Club – Kissimmee, Florida; Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa and The Lodge at Jackson Hole – Jackson, WY and currently under development, The Blackburn Inn and Spa, Staunton, VA. www.CharlestowneHotels.com

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