Ben Rafter’s back at it. After leading Aqua Hotels through its growth, sale to ILG, and merger with Aston, he went on to helm OLS Hotels & Resorts, retooled and rebranded it into Springboard Hospitality, scaling it into a 51-property portfolio, including 12 hotels across the Islands.
It was recently announced that Springboard has merged with Atlanta-based Hotel Equities, effective May 1st. Hotel Equities manages 200+ branded properties.
Rafter takes the reins as CEO of the new, combined company. If you know Ben, you know the drill: sharp on tech, savvy on strategy, and a rare leader who can blend innovation with place-based sensibility.
Hotel Equities brings branded management expertise, while Springboard adds independent, lifestyle credibility. The new model seems focused on giving owners options: go branded, go boutique, or go hybrid—whatever best fits the asset.
With over 250 properties under management, this puts Ben and his team among the top five independent hotel management companies
I’d wish Ben luck—but based on his track record, I doubt he’ll need it. 😉
