Since Leslie Kaminski joined Destination Hotels 13 years ago, she has seen it evolve into an international hotel what company with a stable of five brands spread across more than 80 properties in eight countries. The transformation picked up considerable speed two years ago when Destination Hotels and Commune Hotels & Resorts merged to become what is now Two Roads Hospitality.

But one aspect of the company’s business that remains unchanged is its relationship with the travel agent community. “We will always work with agents,” said Kaminski, Two Roads’ global director of leisure sales. “We have years of relationships with travel agents and we work hard to service them—and to ensure their clients are well taken care of so that they’ll rebook a Two Roads stay through their agents.”

Kaminski added that the clients Two Roads typically attracts are luxury travelers who can spend anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 on nightly villas stays, often as part of multigenerational family trips. “They want expert travel professionals to organize their trips because they want each trip to be special,” she said, noting that the average Two Roads’ guests are among the top 5 percent of educated working professionals and love to travel, are married with children and live in urban settings.

Two Roads brands—and the properties within each brand—are all one of a kind, Kaminski said.

DESTINATION HOTELS

Comprising primarily resorts, Destination Hotels offer an approachable style of luxury and an experience that’s designed to immerse guests in local culture. Destination Hotels are popular with families because they typically offer a wide variety of guestroom types—from connecting rooms to villas—and can cater to multigenerational travelers, with many offering kids and teens programs.

The most recent addition to the brand is the Cliff House in Cape Neddick, Maine, which opened in 2016, establishing Destination Hotels on the East Coast.

ALILA HOTELS & RESORTS

The company’s Asia-based brand, Alila Hotels & Resorts, featuring both city hotels and resorts, is similarly focused on relaxed luxury and geared toward guests interested in exploring the local environment. The properties will arrange temple tours, treks and private cooking lessons.

The Alila brand is also undergoing a global expansion. Following a multi-million dollar renovation, Ventana Big Sur Resort in California will mark the brand’s first foray into North America. Asia properties are planned for Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

THOMPSON HOTELS

Two Roads’ most well-known brand, Thompson Hotels, is easily recognized because “Thompson” is included in most of the properties’ names, Kaminski said. Each of these hotels has a distinct aesthetic that Two Roads describes as “mid-century modern,” imbuing the hotels with a design sense that is both classic and contemporary.

She categorized the brand as “an adult-driven brand [created] more for couples and individuals who are interested in design and architecture, and who want the lively nightlife that many Thompson Hotels offer at their rooftop bars and pools.”

Thompson Hotels is also undergoing North American expansion, with plans for three properties in Texas along with new locales in Los Angeles and Mexico.

JOIE DE VIVRE

With hotels located mostly in urban centers, Joie de Vivre is a name that is less known by the traveling public. Although it doesn’t offer the same level of luxury as Thompson properties, it nonetheless provides travelers with an elevated guest experience and vibrant, colorful design elements. “These are great hotels for weekend getaways and for independent travelers who are playful, jubilant, lively, imaginative and eclectic,” Kaminski said.

Last year,the Joie de Vivre brand opened its first East Coast hotel, 50 Bowery in Manhattan, with a Baltimore property slated to open later in 2018.

TOMMIE

Two Roads’ nascent brand, tommie, will make its debut in 2019 with a location in Los Angeles. Guestroom sizes will skew to the smaller side, as the focus will be on public spaces. Kaminski said guests are not expected to work in their rooms, but rather will bring their laptops to the lobby and grab coffee while there. She added that “tommie guests are a younger demographic and are essentialists who view less—or the lack of something—as the perfect amount, and who travel to connect and to be inspired.”