Latest news with #DavidDuncan


Los Angeles Times
01-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Second-Story Visitors: Why Giraffe Manor is Among the World's Most Unique Hotel Experiences
Located just minutes outside Nairobi, in the Langata suburbs, the Giraffe Manor stands out as one of the world's most unique hotels and a truly bucket-list-worthy destination. It's famous for its resident Rothschild giraffes, offering guests an intimate and luxurious experience with these magnificent animals. Modeled after a Scottish manor home, Giraffe Manor started as a family abode, built around 1932 by businessman Sir David Duncan. Over the years, it has transformed into a 5-star boutique hotel now owned and managed by the Safari Collection, drawing giraffe enthusiasts from around the globe. Giraffe Manor is both a luxury hotel and a conservation center for Rothschild giraffes. The 12-acre estate provides a safe home for these once-endangered species, along with plenty of chances for guests to interact with them. Upon check-in, you'll be assigned a room or suite in one of two buildings: the Main House or the Garden House. The Main Manor features six rooms, all offering direct giraffe feeding opportunities, making it the central hub of the property. The Garden House is the newer wing, also with six rooms, three of which provide direct giraffe feeding access. If you're lucky enough to reserve one of the nine giraffe-feeding rooms, you might get a memorable 5 a.m. 'wake-up call' from a giraffe. They'll often wander up to your window or balcony looking for a morning treat. One of the most unforgettable moments at Giraffe Manor is enjoying breakfast with a giraffe poking its head through the windows, stretching its long neck toward your table. There's also a daily afternoon tea on the terrace, perfect for taking photos with the giraffes in the picturesque surroundings. Guests can feed them special food pellets provided by their assigned butlers, who also help tailor your interactions, ensuring a personalized – and giraffe-filled – experience throughout your visit. While the giraffes are, of course, the main draw, there's more to explore on the gorgeous estate and in the lush surrounding areas. Next to the Main Manor is The Retreat, a wellness center where you can enjoy massages, work out, or take a dip in the infinity pool. You can also arrange a private candlelight dinner in the beautiful Orchid House, which boasts over 150 different types of orchids. For those interested in the inner workings of the hotel's mission and the animals themselves, the Giraffe Centre is located right on the property grounds, offering programs focused on giraffe conservation. The Manor's grounds are also home to various other animals, including warthogs, monkeys and many bird species. Can't get enough wildlife? Just a short drive from Giraffe Manor is Nairobi National Park, where guests can go on a safari to see a variety of wildlife, including lions, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, impalas and over 400 species of birds. The Karen Blixen Museum, the former home of the Danish author of Out of Africa, is also nearby. This unique haven, filled with giraffes, is one of the most photographed hotels in the world. Its special setting and unforgettable animal encounters make it a must-visit destination for anyone who loves animals and nature. The dry seasons from June through October and December through March are generally the best time to visit Giraffe Manor. During these months, the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. April through May and November tend to have heavy rainfall, which can make outdoor experiences less enjoyable. However, fewer tourists usually visit during these wetter periods, offering a quieter atmosphere and possibly more one-on-one time with the animals. Booking a stay requires significant advance planning. While the Main Manor can only be booked as part of a package with one of the Safari Collection's other hotels, the Garden House can be reserved as a stand-alone stay based on availability. For either option, securing your reservation well in advance for this truly unique experience is highly recommended.


Travel Daily News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
First Hospitality launches First Investors
First Hospitality launches First Investors platform and $400m. GP fund, opening hotel investment to external partners amid strategic U.S. market opportunities. CHICAGO, IL – First Hospitality introduces First Investors, its dedicated hotel real estate investment platform, which has powered the company's lodging acquisitions and development for more than four decades and is now open to qualified outside investors. Concurrently, the firm also unveils First Investors GP Fund, which expects to supply sponsor capital for a targeted $400 million in U.S. hotel investment over the next 12 to 36 months. The platform is led by Chief Executive Officer David Duncan and governed by a seasoned ownership group: Sam Schwartz, Executive Chairman; Stephen Schwartz, founder and Chairman Emeritus. Collectively, the three executives have led more than $10 billion in hospitality transactions across value-add, ground-up, and adaptive-reuse strategies. Since 1985, First Investors and its affiliates have completed 45 hotel transactions, generating a 3.9x multiple of invested capital with an IRR over 20% on realized exits and currently own significant joint-venture positions in 18 hotels totaling 3,100 keys. Current representative investments include the Hiltons at McCormick Place (Chicago, IL), Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection (Columbus, OH), Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu (Louisville, KY), and the newly opened Hotel Ardent, a Tapestry Collection (Dayton, OH). 'First Investors benefits from direct alignment with our operating platform, providing early visibility into local market dynamics and operational trends well before they appear in public data,' said David Duncan, CEO of First Investors. 'This vertical integration provides a differentiated advantage for our investors, particularly in today's market environment, where dislocation is creating some very unique investment opportunities.' First Investors will focus on deploying the GP Fund alongside a select group of existing capital partners and other sophisticated investors into a portfolio of six to ten hotels, targeting 150 – 350-key, premium-branded or independent lifestyle assets located in growth markets with multiple demand generators. The firm will apply its proven value-creation playbook, which includes: Proprietary Sourcing – Draw on over four decades of experience, deep industry relationships, and a national footprint to identify off-market and strategically positioned opportunities where investment basis supports attractive risk-adjusted returns. Disciplined Capital Deployment – Maintain a selective, fundamentals-driven approach, aligning each investment with an appropriate capital structure that supports both near-term execution and long-term value creation. Integrated Value Creation – Utilize First Hospitality's operational platform to execute targeted capital improvements and operational enhancements, accelerating repositioning efforts and driving sustained cash flow and value growth. What sets First Investors apart is the fusion of institutional-grade underwriting and disciplined execution, driven by real-time insights from First Hospitality's award-winning management platform. This is paired with an entrepreneurial approach and a flexible capital structure, that has allowed First Investors to deliver strong, cycle-resilient results for its partners. 'Our GP Fund is all about alignment – approximately 20 percent of the fund will be our own capital, giving the firm and its senior leaders substantial skin in every transaction,' said Sam Schwartz, Executive Chairman of First Investors. Stephen Schwartz, Chairman Emeritus of First Investors, added: 'Bringing this platform to outside investors is the natural evolution of work we've been doing privately for 40 years through five lodging cycles.'

Hospitality Net
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
First Hospitality Celebrates Their Top Performing General Managers and Associates Fueling the Company's Success
First Hospitality, a national hotel operating, management, and development company, recognized its 2024 Inner Circle winners during a weeklong trip to Panama from March 15 – 21, 2025. Each year, First Hospitality's Inner Circle Award recognizes the top-performing general managers across the company's portfolio. The Inner Circle Award is presented to 10 general managers who demonstrate outstanding performance across a comprehensive range of hotel metrics. Selection criteria includes room and total revenue versus budget, RevPAR index and rank, gross operating profit margins, flex and flow, guest service scores, brand quality assurance results, associate satisfaction, and turnover rates. Winners of the Inner Circle Award are treated to a weeklong international trip, with Panama serving as this year's destination. Each winner was invited to bring a guest, for an all-expenses-paid experience that included accommodations at the Waldorf Astoria Panama, roundtrip airfare, meals, beverages, and a range of curated activities. Highlights of the itinerary included a visit to the 'Biomuseo' and Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, an Embera cultural immersion, a beach day on Mogo Mogo Island, and more. First Hospitality's President and CEO, David Duncan, and Executive Chairman Sam Schwartz joined the group during the late-March trip. The Inner Circle trip is our way of recognizing the outstanding general managers who lead with excellence across every facet of hotel performance. It was an honor to celebrate their achievements in Panama. The trip has become a standout moment on the company calendar - a meaningful way to recognize top performers while deepening connections across the First Hospitality team. David Duncan, president and CEO of First Hospitality Demonstrating its commitment to a People First culture, First Hospitality promoted over 150 team members in 2024. The company also saw a 9-point increase in employee retention compared to industry peers, along with a 16-point lead in Great Place to Work ratings - clear reflections of First Hospitality's continued focus on associate satisfaction and development. Additional marquee awards honoring associates include First Hospitality's Live Free Drive Free Award, honoring associates who achieve perfect attendance for an entire calendar year. More than 1,000 associates qualified for this award in 2024, representing nearly 30% of all associates, a new record for the company. Winners receive the choice of a new car and auto insurance for one year, or have their rent or mortgage paid for one year, up to $1,500/month. This year's winner selected Live Free. The Pace Setter Award honored five sales leaders who not only exceed their annual team booking goals, but also significantly grew BT and Group RevPAR share. Our talented associates are the backbone of First Hospitality. Their dedication and passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences are what drive our success. Our marquee awards spotlight their hard work and reflect the strong culture we've built together. David Duncan, president and CEO of First Hospitality For more information about First Hospitality and its portfolio of hotels, please visit: About First Hospitality First Hospitality is a top-ranking development, investment, and third-party operating company with a portfolio of branded, lifestyle and independent properties along with a portfolio of restaurants & bars located throughout the United States. Founded 40 years ago, the organization fosters opportunities for associates, investors, owners, and partners to prosper together. The foundation of First Hospitality's success is built on an individualized approach that puts people first, encourages a strong ownership culture, and consistently demonstrates astute business acumen. The company and its hotels are frequently recognized by the industry and media for high guest service and associate satisfaction, including accolades from Forbes, Condé Nast, TripAdvisor, and AAA. For more information, visit Bridget Fairless First Hospitality


Travel Daily News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
First Hospitality celebrates their top performing General Managers
Top-performing First Hospitality General Managers recognized with exclusive international retreat for excellence in hotel leadership and performance. CHICAGO – First Hospitality, a national hotel operating, management, and development company, recognized its 2024 Inner Circle winners during a weeklong trip to Panama from March 15 – 21, 2025. Each year, First Hospitality's Inner Circle Award recognizes the top-performing general managers across the company's portfolio. The Inner Circle Award is presented to 10 general managers who demonstrate outstanding performance across a comprehensive range of hotel metrics. Selection criteria includes room and total revenue versus budget, RevPAR index and rank, gross operating profit margins, flex and flow, guest service scores, brand quality assurance results, associate satisfaction, and turnover rates. Winners of the Inner Circle Award are treated to a weeklong international trip, with Panama serving as this year's destination. Each winner was invited to bring a guest, for an all-expenses-paid experience that included accommodations at the Waldorf Astoria Panama, roundtrip airfare, meals, beverages, and a range of curated activities. Highlights of the itinerary included a visit to the 'Biomuseo' and Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, an Embera cultural immersion, a beach day on Mogo Mogo Island, and more. First Hospitality's President and CEO, David Duncan, and Executive Chairman Sam Schwartz joined the group during the late-March trip. 'The Inner Circle trip is our way of recognizing the outstanding general managers who lead with excellence across every facet of hotel performance,' said David Duncan. 'It was an honor to celebrate their achievements in Panama. The trip has become a standout moment on the company calendar – a meaningful way to recognize top performers while deepening connections across the First Hospitality team.' Demonstrating its commitment to a People First culture, First Hospitality promoted over 150 team members in 2024. The company also saw a 9-point increase in employee retention compared to industry peers, along with a 16-point lead in Great Place to Work ratings – clear reflections of First Hospitality's continued focus on associate satisfaction and development. Additional marquee awards honoring associates include First Hospitality's Live Free Drive Free Award, honoring associates who achieve perfect attendance for an entire calendar year. More than 1,000 associates qualified for this award in 2024, representing nearly 30% of all associates, a new record for the company. Winners receive the choice of a new car and auto insurance for one year, or have their rent or mortgage paid for one year, up to $1,500/month. This year's winner selected Live Free. The Pace Setter Award honored five sales leaders who not only exceed their annual team booking goals, but also significantly grew BT and Group RevPAR share. 'Our talented associates are the backbone of First Hospitality,' said David Duncan. 'Their dedication and passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences are what drive our success. Our marquee awards spotlight their hard work and reflect the strong culture we've built together.'
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona bill for executions by firing squad advances in State Capitol due to concerns with lethal injections
The Brief A bill proposes firing squads for executions instead of lethal injections, citing flaws in the current method. If the bill passes, inmates who committed crimes before Nov. 23, 1992 can choose between a firing squad or the gas chamber. Retired Judge David Duncan was commissioned by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to review lethal injection protocols, raising concerns before he was fired. PHOENIX - A bill that would ask Arizona voters to allow the use of firing squads to execute death row inmates has advanced at the Arizona State Capitol. On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the House Regulatory Oversight Committee passed Resolution 20-24. It would require firing squads to carry out executions instead of lethal injection. The bill also says inmates who committed crimes before Nov. 23, 1992, can choose to die by firing squad or the gas chamber. What we know Retired federal judge David Duncan led a review of lethal injection protocols ordered by Governor Katie Hobbs. Hobbs fired him last fall, saying she lost confidence in him. What they're saying Duncan raised concerns about transparency and said lethal injections are too flawed. The lawmaker who sponsored the firing squad bill cited Duncan as part of his reasoning for the proposed legislation.