Peter Strebel, chairman, Omni Hotels & Resorts, has been named the recipient of the 2022 Historic Hotels of America Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration Award.
The award recognizes Strebel’s extensive accomplishments in pioneering innovative concepts and programs, achieving uncommon success, being a thought leader on exceptional service and being a force of inspiration in the hotel industry, according to the company. His leadership has resulted the donation of more than 21 million meals to help end hunger in America, along with the preservation, restoration and celebration of 15 iconic and legendary historic hotels and resorts. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels in the U.S.
The award will be presented to Strebel at the 2022 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence Ceremony & Gala on Nov. 17 at the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection in Point Clear, AL, in front of an audience of owners, GMs and other senior decision makers representing many historic hotels from across the U.S. and around the world.
A leader in the preservation and restoration of historically significant hotels and resorts, and leading Omni Hotels & Resorts’ Restoring a Piece of American History initiatives at its historic hotels, Strebel is chairman of Omni Hotels & Resorts, a position he assumed in May of this year. He formerly guided the company as its president, chief marketing officer and SVP, sales.
Fourteen Omni Hotels & Resorts have been inducted into Historic Hotels of America and one has been inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide: The Omni Homestead Resort (1766), Omni Bedford Springs & Spa (1806), Omni Royal Orleans, New Orleans (1843), Omni La Mansion Del Rio, San Antonio (1852), Omni Parker House, Boston (1855), Omni Bretton Arms Inn, New Hampshire (1896), Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods (1902), The Omni King Edward Hotel, Toronto (1903), The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville (1913), Omni Severin Hotel, Indianapolis (1913), Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh (1916), Omni Berkshire Place, New York City (1926), Omni San Francisco Hotel (1926), Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC (1930), and Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad (1965).
“This is indeed an honor to receive this award from Historic Hotels of America,” said Strebel. “I love this industry, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it has provided to me and my family over the span of my career. But most importantly, I am especially cognizant of the fact that I would not be here, had it not been for the leadership and direction that I have received from our ownership, TRT Holdings, and especially Bob Rowling, its founder, who had the vision 26 years ago to acquire Omni Hotels & Resorts and set out to invest in our properties—especially our historical grand dame resorts. He has taught me the true meaning of servant leadership, kindness, humility and respect, and I will forever be in his debt for the example he has demonstrated.”
Lawrence Horwitz, EVP, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide said, “On behalf of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, we are pleased to recognize and honor Peter Strebel with the 2022 Historic Hotels of America Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration Award. Through his entire career, Peter Strebel has inspired others with his innovative ideas and initiatives, demonstrated exceptional stewardship for historic hotels, led the development of innovative programs such as the Omni Say Goodnight to Hunger program resulting in more than 25 million donated meals to Feeding America, and that has helped more than a million less fortunate individuals in more than fifty communities across the United States.”