Essex Hotel Management has entered into an agreement with Larkin Hospitality that adds six properties to its management portfolio, growing it from 11 properties to 17.
Over the past two years, Essex has been pursuing a focused, strategic growth plan aimed at doubling its management portfolio over the next several years. In 2025, the company refreshed its brand, updated its website and development tools, and made organizational changes to drive growth, including promoting longtime Essex executive John Kattato to chief operating officer and hiring Chris Wietig as director of business development.
The principals for both Larkin, a family-owned real estate company based in Burlington, Vt. with more than 50 years of industry experience, and Essex have known each other for several years. Essex provided early management consulting services and helped to oversee major renovations for one of Larkin’s properties. In 2025, the companies began exploring ways to work more closely together.
“Essex was in a position to help Larkin grow its portfolio in a smart and sustainable way,” Essex Hotel Management President Barbara Purvis said in a statement. “Our management expertise gives them the support they need to oversee a larger portfolio, and our arrangement helps to take both of our companies to the next level.”
Per the agreement, Essex will provide support and direction to the above property team, oversee portfolio operations and renovations for Larkin, and assist with developing and supporting new properties. The agreement adds 581 keys to Essex's portfolio — including Marriott, Choice, Hilton and IHG properties — while also marking Essex’s entry into the New England market and its first AC Hotel.
Initial top priorities included assessing and guiding the above-property and on-property teams; evaluating and adjusting rate and sales strategies for each hotel; instituting more defined policies and procedures; and inspecting the properties to identify any major capital items requiring repair/replacement. Two of the hotels are slated for rebranding, with the renovations scheduled to begin this fall. Essex also assisted with the soft opening of the AC Hotel in Saratoga Springs in December and is now overseeing post-opening punch-list items and positioning the hotel for success.
“We are just thrilled to be working with Larkin Hospitality on this project,” Purvis said. “They are a fantastic company and well-established in the hospitality space. They share our values, performance priorities, and long-term vision, which make them ideal for building the type of relationship we so value with our owners and partners.”