Hilton executive Phil Cordell is set to retire after 40 years at Hilton. He will transition to an advisor role this month. Most recently, Cordell was senior vice president and global category head of lifestyle and new brands at Hilton. In this role, Cordell oversaw the strategic growth and development of Hilton’s Lifestyle Brands, including Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Tempo by Hilton and Motto by Hilton.
Cordell will be succeeded by Kevin Osterhaus, who joined Hilton as president, global lifestyle brands to oversee the growth, design and development of the Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Graduate by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Tempo by Hilton brands. Osterhaus was president of Graduate Hotels, which Hilton acquired in March.
Cordell began his career as a bellman with Hilton while in high school, eventually becoming general manager of the second Hampton Hotel in 1983, Chris Silcock, Hilton president, global brands and commercial services, wrote in a note to Hilton employees. Rising through the ranks, he went on to lead Hilton's all-suites and focused-service brands for more than 20 years.
Cordell opened the first Hampton hotel in China in 2015, Silcock wrote. When Cordell completed his 35-year tenure as head of Hampton, the brand included more than 2,300 hotels in 29 countries. In 2024, Hampton is celebrating its 40th anniversary and 3,000th hotel, much of which the company attributes to the foundation Cordell built.
In addition to Hampton, Cordell worked on other Hilton hospitality brands, including Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites and Homewood Suites. In his most recent role, Cordell led the creation and launch of Home2 Suites, Tru, Motto, Tempo and Spark.
Cordell also led the Hilton team that created and activated the Hilton CleanStay program.
“As Phil transitions into an advisory role, let us take this opportunity to express our gratitude for his exceptional leadership, mentorship, and friendship. His legacy of innovation, growth, and genuine ‘Hamptonality’ service will continue to inspire us for years,” Silcock said in the note.