For over 60 years, Sonesta has owned, managed, designed, built and marketed hotels throughout the world. Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is an outgrowth of Sonnabend Operated Hotels, founded in the 1940's by the legendary A.M. Sonnabend. In 1956, Sonnabend acquired a controlling interest in Childs Restaurant Group. He then merged his hotel interests into the public company, sold off the restaurants and became Hotel Corporation of America, one of the first major hotel companies.
Sonesta operates under the leadership of Stephanie Sonnabend, CEO and President, and Peter J. Sonnabend, Executive Chairman of the Board. There are presently 31 Sonesta hotels and resorts, including 7 Nile cruise ships. The properties are located in Boston, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, St. Maarten, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Egypt. Sonesta properties are currently under development in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica; Miami, FL; Baranquilla and Cartegena, Colombia; Patagonia and Rosario, Argentina and San Carlos, Mexico.
About the Sonnabend's - Sonesta's Founding Family
In the 1940's, A.M. (Sonny) Sonnabend, a successful Boston realtor and financier, merged his burgeoning hotel acquisitions with the newly acquired Childs Restaurants chain and named it Hotel Corporation of America (HCA). Thus began one of the most successful hotel operations in the U.S. and the evolution into what is today Sonesta International Hotels Corporation.
A.M.'s three sons began their careers in the hospitality industry at an early age. Roger, the eldest, graduated from MIT and was only 21 when he took the helm at the Nautilus Hotel and Beach Club, in Atlantic Beach, Long Island, NY. Paul Sonnabend became General Manager of Boston's Hotel Shelton, immediately after graduating from Cornell's Hotel Administration School in 1950 and Stephen, Sonny's youngest son, graduated from Harvard and jumped into an executive position with the Childs chain.
By the time A.M. passed away in the early 60's, his three sons were managing a rather large hotel business. However, Roger, Paul and Stephen preferred their role as hoteliers rather than financiers or real estate magnates. As a result, they decided to sell their unprofitable properties and keep the company relatively small. This decision gave them the opportunity to develop a hotel management company and maintain their hands-on approach to the operation of hotels. in 1970, the company was renamed "Sonesta," the name used by their parents, Sonny and Esther, for a dairy farm they owned in Holliston, MA. "Sonesta" is a mix of their first names.
A third generation of Sonnabends now works alongside non-family members to manage the company:
Stephanie Sonnabend, CEO and President
Peter J. Sonnabend, Executive Chairman of the Board
Jacqueline Sonnabend, Executive Vice President, Senior Quality Officer
Alan Sonnabend, Vice President Development
Kathy Sonnabend Rowe, Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage
Tom Sonnabend, Regional Sales Director New England
Patti Sonnabend Wagner, Director of Corporate Accounting
The Sonnabend family transitioned from the second generation to the third generation and kept Sonesta successful. Their harmony as a family has translated into a company-wide commitment to manage upscale hotels that deliver uncompromising personal service and reflect the history and culture of their locations. Proof of the Sonnabends' successful management is shown by Sonesta's ability to attract and retain the best and brightest managers and staff.
