Hawkeye Hotels Is a Fast-Growing Hospitality Company

Hawkeye Hotels is one of the fastest-growing hotel companies in the United States. The firm, which started with just one roadside hotel in Mena, Arkansas, now has more than 50 properties and employs over 1,000 people.

The company operates a variety of brand-name hotels and resorts. Its portfolio includes properties under the Hilton, Marriott and InterContinental brands. It also owns a handful of independent hotels in Iowa.

Its flagship property is the Radisson Quad City Plaza, located near the North Park Mall and Figge Art Museum in Davenport. The hotel features an indoor pool, a fitness center and a restaurant. The hotel is slated to undergo renovations to bring in more guests.

Raj Patel, the president and CEO of Hawkeye Hotels, began his career in the hospitality industry at a young age. He grew up watching his parents manage hotels, and by the time he was a teenager, he had earned his way to the front desk. He learned the importance of maintaining a high level of customer service, and he credits his early experiences with giving him a solid foundation for success in the business.

He said the most important element of a successful hotel is adapting to changing trends. Increasingly, travelers are seeking out extended stays in downtown areas with walkable amenities, he said. Rather than offering large suites, some new hotels are focusing on creating communal spaces for guests to socialize and work together.

Hawkeye Hotels is pursuing a variety of development projects in Iowa, including a Hampton Inn at 4 Sturgis Corner Drive and a Homewood Suites in Coralville. In addition, the company has its eye on local acquisitions, such as the former eight-story Jefferson Building at 129 E. Washington St. In the past, the building was a hotel and later served as University of Iowa offices. Hawkeye Hotels would turn it into a dual-brand hotel, with half of the space becoming a Hilton or Marriott-brand property and the other half a boutique hotel under the Hotel Fort Des Moines name.

Several employees of Hawkeye Hotels have reviewed their employer on Comparably, a website that helps job seekers make more informed decisions about their careers. Some of the most common negative aspects of working for the company are a lack of communication with management and an overwhelming workload. However, most employees reported that they were satisfied with the overall culture at Hawkeye Hotels.