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 and Childs Restaurant Company. The merger of these two companies led to the founding of Hotel Corporation of America, one of the first major hotel companies.

1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's
1943	A.M. “Sonny” Sonnabend purchased the Preston Beach Hotel in Massachusetts with 6 other investors.
1944	Newly formed Sonnabend Operated Hotels purchased the Biltmore, Whitehall and Palm Beach Country Club in Florida.
1947	Roger Sonnabend became GM at Nautilus Hotel & Beach Club after graduating from MIT and Harvard Business School.
1948	Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago is purchased by Sonnabend Operated Hotels.
1950	Sonnabend Operated Hotels purchased the Hotel Cleveland and Terminal Tower. Paul Sonnabend became GM at Hotel Shelton in Boston upon graduation from Cornell Hotel School.
1953	A.M. Sonnabend purchased the Plaza Hotel in New York from Hilton. This was followed by the sale of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC and long-term lease on the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. 1st specialty restaurant in a hotel opens; the Rib Room at the Somerset in Boston.
1954	Sonny Sonnabend named Director and then President - Childs Restaurant Corporation. Stephen Sonnabend graduates from Harvard and joins Child Restaurant Group.
1955	Child Restaurant Corporation buys 3 Sonnabend Operated Hotels.
1956	Child Restaurant Corporation changes its name to Hotel Corporation of America, founded as a publicly traded company with A.M. Sonnabend as President.
1959	1st International hotel built by Sonesta opens in San Juan.
1963	Roger Sonnabend becomes President of Hotel Corporation of America and Sonny Sonnabend is elected Chairman.
1964	A.M. Sonnabend passes away and Roger, Paul and Stephen redirect the company to be a hotel management company, rather than a real estate or finance company. Charterhouse/Hotel Sonesta/Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston opens.
1969	Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans opens.
1970	HCA renamed Sonesta International Hotels Corporation.
1976	Stephanie Sonnabend, upon graduating from Harvard, joins the Sonesta Hotel Atlanta as Director of Conference Services.
1978	Sonesta introduces 1st Travel Agent Advisory Board, meeting annually since.
1979	Stephanie rejoins Sonesta as Director of Planning after graduating MIT Sloan School.
1982	Sonesta Hotel Cairo opens.
1983	Sonesta introduces Meeting Planner Advisory Board.
1984	Stephanie becomes Vice President of Marketing for Sonesta.
1987	Peter Sonnabend joins Sonesta as Vice President and General Counsel.
1989	1st Sonesta Cruise Ship – Sonesta Nile Goddess is launched.
1993	Sonesta Hotel Port Said opens in Egypt. Sonesta Sun Goddess Cruise Ship launches in Egypt.
1994	Sonesta Beach Resort & Casino Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt opens.
1995	Stephanie assumes responsibilities as President of Sonesta.
1997	Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor, opens in Egypt.
1998	Sonesta Club Sharm El Sheikh, opens in Egypt Sonesta Hotel El Olivar Lima, Peru opens.
1999	Sonesta Posada del Inca Miraflores Lima, opens in Peru. Sonesta Posada del Inca Cusco, opens in Peru. Sonesta Posada del Inca Lake Titicaca Puno, opens in Peru. Sonesta Posada del Inca Sacred Valley Yucay, opens in Peru.
2000	Sonesta Moon Goddess Cruise Ship launched in Egypt.
2002	Sonesta Posada del Inca Arequipa opens in Peru Sonesta Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove opens in Florida.
2003	Stephanie and Peter become Co-CEO’s for Sonesta.
2004	Sonesta Beach Resort Taba opens in Egypt. Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino rebranded in St. Maarten. Sonesta Hotel Sao Paulo opens in Brazil.
2006	Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise Ship launches in Egypt. Sonesta St. George I cruise ship launches in Egypt. Sonesta Hotel Brasilia opens in Brazil. Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort rebranded in St. Maarten.
2007	Paul Sonnabend retires
2008	Sonesta Pharaoh Beach Resort Hurghada rebranded in Egypt. Roger Sonnabend passes away.
2009	Peter J. Sonnabend becomes Executive Chairman of the Board. Stephanie Sonnabend continues as President and CEO. Sonesta Dahabeya Amirat launched on the Nile. Sonesta Hotel Valledupar opens in Colombia. Sonesta Hotel & Casino in Concepcion, Osorno and Calama, open in Chile .
2010	Sonesta Hotel Cusco rebranded in Peru. Sonesta Hotel Orlando Downtown rebranded in Florida.