perspectives 5 questions for dianna vaughan Global Head Curio - A Collection by Hilton 1 2 3 4 5 What defines hotels that fit within the Curio collection? We are looking for 4- and 5-Star products and service. Individuality is what unifies hotels within Curio, and each property is part of the fabric of its city. They are true locals, each embodying the spirit of their home. It's the diversity of Curio hotels that makes the brand so unique. What made recent addition SLS Las Vegas a good fit? It was because of its Rat Pack history; it was the former Sahara Hotel & Casino. It just has that allure. The hotel is also in tune with the consumer and really makes it about the experience for the guest. What is your expansion plan for the brand? While many hotels will be existing properties, the collection will be made up of three types of properties: conversions of existing hotels for which we honor the hotel's history and reputation in the market; adaptive reuse of non-hotel buildings; and new-build hotels for which we collaborate with the developer's team as they create the new property identity and themed story. Currently signed are the Sam Houston Hotel in Houston; Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota; the new-build Porter in Portland, Oregon; and a to-be-named hotel at Mall of Qatar in Doha. We have five open right now and plan to have 25 open by the end of this year. What makes these properties and locations work for the brand? We are selecting properties in the cities and destinations guests want to experience, as they want to experience them. We want hotels to maintain their authentic story, but we're also looking for what is special about them. There has to be something for the guest to discover when they come. How do you design each property? Our hotel owners still work with our design team-led in the U.S. and Canada by senior director of design Vito Lotta-but rather than our team dictating what products to choose, we consult with them and give them ideas. It's more of a collaborative process.http://www.roomthreesixty.com http://www.roomthreesixty.com