We all love to be catered to at hotels, but to truly appreciate the tireless individuals that make our stay perfect, we must pay homage to the pioneers that started it all.  From the Marriott to Club Med, these next eight businessmen and entrepreneurs have made it possible to feel at home each time we head into our suites.  And for that we at TravelPulse salute you.

Kemmons Wilson

Family road trips can be quite the adventure, but when there is not one quality motel to unwind in after being trapped in a car for hours, you’ll be better off inventing your own topnotch hotel. 

That’s exactly what drove Kemmons Wilson to design the reputable Holiday Inn chain.  For him it was a trip to Washington D.C. that led to the grand opening of the first Holiday Inn in Memphis in 1952.  In 1959, the hotel’s locations grew to be about 100, and just a year later it became an international sensation.  As one of the top hoteliers during this time, Kemmons attracted the likes of Time Magazine who featured the entrepreneur on its cover. He also spread his Christian beliefs by leaving a Bible in every room of his motels.

J. Willard Marriott

Anyone that can transform a root beer stand into a leading hotel company deserves a place on this list.  With that said, we must give respect where respect is due and thank John Willard Marriot for his substantial contribution to the industry of hospitality. 

After obtaining the franchise rights to A&W Root Beer in a couple of states, Marriott decided to transform it into a booming family restaurant called The Hot Shoppe before heading full force into the hotel business with the establishment of the first Marriott. Formerly called the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel which officially opened in Arlington, VA, it was later given its present name, and along with two large food chains, Marriott’s company gradually became Marriott, Inc. 

Known by all who knew him as a hard worker, Marriott even inspected his properties himself a few times a year.

Richard C. Kessler

As Chairman and CEO of The Kessler Enterprise, Richard C. Kessler has dabbled in everything under the sun when it comes to hotels, even creating various themes for his properties with the Kessler Collection project. 

Under the Kessler Collection, various hotels were created and operated, as well as given specific concepts to complement their guests’ needs precisely.  His other developments include Days Inn Resorts & Suites and Sheraton Studio City Hotel in Florida, in addition to Kehoe House Bed & Breakfast in Savannah.  Kessler was also the President and CEO of days Inn of America, Inc, which unquenstionably makes him an honorable leader.

Gerard Blitz (left) and Gilbert Trigano (right)

“Great minds think alike” is the notion that brought the original all-inclusive resort, Club Med, to life.  The idea was first introduced by Gerard Blitz, a water polo champion whose experience in the French resistance in World War II inspired him to create a utopic destination for veteranns.  With the help of Gilbert Trigano, a French businessman whose father supplied tents and canopies used for camping, they set out to change the face of the “all-inclusive” holiday vacation. 

That’s where Club Med comes in. Their luxurious villas create a "happy place" amid exotic locations that create the perfect backdrop for travelers wanting to de-stress. Since 1950, the resort has done just that and much more while continuing to stay true to Blitz’s and Trigano’s utopic vision.

Ellsworth Statler

The next time you’re taking a soothing hot shower or bath in your gorgeous suite, you may want to thank Ellsworth Statler.  This is because in 1907 he constructed the Statler Hotel, complete with running water that allowed for each room to contain a private bath or shower. However, the hotel businessman didn’t stop there. He continued to build new properties in various American cities including St. Louis, Detroit and Cleveland.

Even after Statler’s death, the Hotels Statler Company continued to commission the building of more hotels in Washington D.C. and in Hartford, Connecticut. Currently, his name echoes proudly throughout the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor as one of the greats to change the world of travel.

Ralph Hitz

Running away from home, you might think Ralph Hitz would be a flight risk but his innovative ideas and moneymaking strategies have earned him a spot on this list. Working his way up into management from spending years as a busboy, Ralph Hitz proved himself to be a worthy employee when he tripled the net worth of the Hotel Gibson in Cincinnati after just two years of working there. This caught the eye of the newly built New Yorker Hotel that opened its door a few weeks after the stock market crash. Nevertheless, Hitz worked his magic, which made the hotel stay afloat during the economy’s collapse.

Although he died at the young age of 48, he contributed much more than turning profits.  Hitz also introduced using a circuit radio system that allowed guests to listen to broadcasts about programmed entertainment and food selections that were provided, which have greatly influenced the way TV channels provide guests with useful information in modern hotels across the globe.

Jack DeBoer

There’s a reason Jack DeBoer is dubbed the "originator of extended stay." It is simply because he noticed that there was something missing when it came to accommodations for small business owners who were fronting their own bills during their hotel stay. So DeBoer set out to design the perfect lodging for these individuals, which is why the Value Place came into being in Kansas in October 2003. Not only were its prices unbeatable, but it also created a clean and safe environment that would entice its guests to stay longer. 

And with the Residence Inn, Candlewood Suites and Summerfield Suites already under DeBoer’s belt, he was on a roll. Soon after the establishment of Value Place and thanks to DeBoer, a franchising project was launched less than a year later.

Barry Sternlicht

Of course we cannot leave out "The king of hotels" himself, Barry Sternlicht. This Harvard graduate has a knack for putting a million dollar spin on real estate, especially when he started the Starwood Capital Group, which held his long portfolio of family-friendly apartments that he purchased during the government bailout. 

Sternlicht’s success in real estate business would prove beneficial when he began to focus his attention on the hotel industry. And by utilizing his expertise he was able to acquire the Westin Hotels & Resorts. To add to his long list of accomplishments, he also established the St. Regis brand as well as launched the Starwood Preferred Guest program, which is arguablly the first of its kind to hit the hospitality industry.