3. Mission
LW Hospitality Advisors (LWHA) specializes in a wide
range of advisory, valuation, feasibility, investment
counseling, asset management, property management,
and transactional services focused on hotels, resorts,
gaming properties, and conference center assets
worldwide.
LWHA works with corporate, institutional, and individual
clients, as well as with municipalities and governmental
agencies on all facets of hospitality real estate.
LWHA is a leading hospitality valuation and advisory
services firm whose executives have more than 70 years
of combined broad hotel experience. The firm was founded
by Daniel H. Lesser, a renowned authority on hotel
feasibility and valuation. Mr. Lesser is a highly sought after
expert who is widely published and a frequent speaker at
leading hotel and real estate conferences and lecturer at
prestigious institutions of higher education, including
Cornell University, Columbia University, and New York
University.
4. Mission
LWHA professionals are passionate about serving their
clients with utmost professionalism, providing a high
quality of unbiased due diligence in a timely and cost
effective manner. LWHA professionals are known for
offering a premier level of service and work product.
LWHA’s clients include a “Who’s Who” of lodging
industry market participants including: owners,
operators, lenders, attorneys, investment banks, and
public agencies.
Hotels are very complex real estate assets that are
intertwined with going business concerns and can only
be appropriately underwritten and analyzed by
dedicated lodging experts. LWHA is staffed with career
hospitality specialists focused exclusively on the lodging
and gaming sectors. All members of the firm are
graduates of accredited hotel schools and possess
extensive lodging operational, valuation, advisory, and
asset management experience.
6. Advisory & Consulting
LW Hospitality Advisors (LWHA) provides high-touch customized advisory and consulting services
to a broad array of clients. Our experience through changing economic cycles has provided us the
ability to effectively navigate today’s opportunities and challenges to provide unparalleled advice.
LWHA offers a unique combination of experience in hotel operations, hotel transactional work and
hotel ownership, which in turn provides our clients with a thorough and hands-on understanding of
the hotel business alongside the business of hotels.
•
Comparable Sales Analysis
•
•
Critical Asset Review
•
Development / Refurbishment / Renovation
Market Supply & Demand Study - Occupancy
& Average Rate Projections
•
& Repositioning Cost Analysis
Market Study – Projections of Income &
Expenses
•
Development Services
•
Mixed Use Asset Strategy Consulting
•
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
•
Property Tax Assessment Appeal Evaluations
•
Economic Feasibility Analysis
•
Repositioning Consulting
•
Economic Impact Analysis
•
Restaurant Consulting
•
Facilities Planning & Development
•
Return On Investment Analysis
Consulting
•
Site Selection & Evaluation
•
Fairness Opinions
•
Third Party Independent Reviews
•
Highest & Best Use Analysis
•
Transactional Advisory
For more information on our Advisory & Consulting services, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/what-we-do/advisory-consulting
7. Appraisal & Valuation
LW Hospitality Advisors offers dynamic well researched and highly credible hotel real estate
appraisal/valuation related services. LWHA appraisals on all types of lodging assets are prepared
by highly skilled valuation professionals degreed in hotel management, experienced in hospitality
operations and knowledgeable in hotel real estate and finance.
Appraisal/Valuation of:
• Building/Improvements
• Business
• Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment
• Land
• Real Estate
Valuation Types & Interests:
• Debt
• Equity
• Fee Simple
• Insurable Value
• Investment Value
• Leased Fee
• Leasehold
• Liquidation Value
• Market Value
• Mezzanine Financing
• Partial Interest
Lodging Property Types:
• Conference Centers
• Casinos
• Hotels
• Mixed Use Facilities
• Resorts
• Spa & Wellness
• Timeshare/Fractional Ownership Properties
Lodging Company Types:
• Franchise Company
• Hotel Property Ownership
• Management Company
Valuation Purposes:
• Condemnation
• Damages Calculations
• Estate
• Financing
• Gift Tax
• Partnership Reporting
• Property Tax
• Purchase Price Allocations
8. Asset & Property Management
LWHA Asset & Property Management Services offers a comprehensive range of customized asset
management and advisory services to maximize the profitability, value and potential of all types of
hospitality organizations. Furthermore, as a third-party independent hotel management company,
LWHA Asset & Property Management Services is committed to delivering excellence in hotel
operations, profitability, and guest service through a hands-on approach and practical experience.
•
Asset & Property Management
•
Loan Restructuring / Workouts
•
Brand and/or Management Selection &
•
Operational Review & Analysis
Negotiation
•
Property Tax Assessment Appeal
•
Capital Budgeting
•
Food & Beverage / Restaurant Consulting
•
Receivership
•
Hospitality Property Management
•
Sales and Marketing Services
•
Interim Property Management
•
Staffing, Wages & Benefits Analysis
•
Internal Control / Accounting Analysis
•
Strategic Planning & Investment Analysis
•
Investment Counseling / Due Diligence
Evaluations
For more information on our Asset & Property Management services, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/what-we-do/asset-property-management
9. Dispute Analysis & Litigation
LW Hospitality Advisors (LWHA) Dispute Analysis & Litigation Support services provides a range of
services focused on lodging real estate-related complex litigation involving property economic
issues, dispute analysis, damages theory and trial support services. LWHA possesses core
competencies in property valuation, economics, finance, statistics, damages theory, and expert
witness testimony. Coupled with quantitative and technical skills and wide ranging operational hotel
experience, this practice provides the benefit of a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving
characterized by collaboration, specialized expertise and recognized thought leadership. Our clients
include law firms, government entities, developers, investors and lenders.
Dispute Analysis
Dispute analysis occurs at the earliest stages of every engagement to identify the relevant technical issues
and to provide a thorough understanding of the real estate and financial components of the case. LWHA
experts vet case issues, providing context and clarity to property and financial issues. We also assist counsel
in decisions regarding whether to pursue litigation, alternative dispute resolution options, or other courses of
action.
Litigation Consulting
LWHA assists attorneys in identifying key issues, developing case strategies, and identifying potential
experts.
Expert Testimony
LWHA provides expert testimony relating to property economics and damages issues.
Trial Support
LWHA assists in framing trial issues, the preparation of rebuttal reports and post-trial memoranda, and in the
preparation of cross examination.
For more information on our Dispute Analysis & Litigation Support services, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/what-we-do/litigation-support
13. Lenders & Investment Banks
Hotel Companies / Publicly-Traded REITS
Private Equity Funds & Developers
For a complete list of clients we have serviced, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/clients/client-list
16. Meet the Team
Daniel H. Lesser,
President & CEO of LW Hospitality
Advisors, brings more than 30 years of expertise in a wide range of
hospitality operational, investment counseling, valuation, advisory,
and transactional services. He provides services to corporate,
institutional, and individual clients as well as public agencies on all
facets of hospitality real estate including: litigation support and
expert testimony, site evaluation, highest and best use analysis,
appraisals for mortgage, acquisition, and portfolio management,
workout strategies, operational analysis, property tax assessment
appeal evaluations, economic impact studies, deal structuring, and
fairness opinions. Mr. Lesser earned a Bachelor of Science degree
in Hotel Administration from Cornell University, and also attended
the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland and Baruch College City University of New York.
Evan Weiss
serves as Executive Managing Director, Principal
of LW Hospitality Advisors. He was previously an associate at CBRE
Hotels – Hospitality & Gaming Valuation Advisory Services Group,
where he was awarded Silver and Gold production awards during
each year of his tenure. He also received the Valuation Services
Professional of the Year Award for the Tri-State region in 2007.
Prior to joining CBRE, Mr. Weiss held the executive position of
Director of Operations for CARINO Hotels & Resorts in New York, a
sales and marketing firm representing 75 luxury hotels throughout
the globe. Mr. Weiss was the first official hire for this firm and
grew the entity by recruiting twenty professionals around the
world. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Tourism
Management from New York University Preston Robert Tisch
Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management.
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
17. Meet the Team
Gary Isenberg
currently serves as President, Asset and
Property Management Services for LW Hospitality Advisors. In
Gary’s current role he is responsible for heading up the Asset
Management and Hotel Management Division. Gary has over 28
years of diversified Hospitality experience in Hotel Management,
Finance, and Asset Management. Prior to joining LWHA, Mr.
Isenberg most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Field
Hotel Associates (FHA), a privately held hotel development,
ownership and management Company. During his time with FHA,
Mr. Isenberg led the development and opening of several hotels,
spearheaded multiple re-organization and repositioning initiatives,
and developed numerous revenue generating and cost cutting
programs.
Mr. Isenberg’ career in the hospitality industry began at ITT
Sheraton, now Starwood Hotels and Resorts, as a corporate
Trainee. During his 16-year tenure at Starwood Hotels & Resorts,
he was rapidly promoted over a series of increasingly responsible
positions, mergers and acquisitions, at both the corporate and
property level, in the disciplines of finance and operations.
Tony Jenkins
serves as Managing Director for LW Hospitality
Advisors, bringing more than 25 years of experience in a wide
range of hospitality operational, valuation and advisory services.
He provides services to corporate, institutional and individual
clients on many facets of hospitality real estate including: expert
testimony, site evaluation, highest and best use analysis,
appraisals, and feasibility and market studies. Most recently, Mr.
Jenkins served as Vice President with PKF Consulting USA. He
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from
the University of Southern Mississippi.
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
18. Meet the Team
Jonathan Jaeger
currently serves as Managing Director
with LW Hospitality Advisors, based in New York City. He graduated
with a Bachelor of Science from the Boston University School of
Hospitality Administration in addition to a minor in Business
Administration from the Boston University School of Management.
Prior to joining LWHA, Mr. Jaeger had been with Pinnacle Advisory
Group from January of 2008 through January of 2014. He began as
a Consultant in the Boston office and was promoted to Vice
President and head of the New York Practice. During his tenure,
Mr. Jaeger was involved in the execution of over 300 consulting
and valuation assignments throughout the United States.
Lily Lesser
is the Director of Operations for LW Hospitality
Advisors, where she is responsible for coordinating the firm’s daily
activities. A graduate of Tel Aviv University and the Dina Academic
School of Nursing, Ms. Lesser rose to the rank of Lieutenant in the
Israel Defense Forces medical corps. Her broad professional
experience includes development and managerial roles with
several New York City medical and insurance practices. During
2009 Ms. Lesser was elected a Trustee and also serves as President
of the Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck.
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
19. Meet the Team
Brian R. Biggs
opened the firm’s third office and serves as
Senior Vice President based in Orlando, FL, bringing more than 25
years of experience in a wide range of hospitality financial,
operational, valuation, and advisory services. Mr. Biggs provides
services to corporate, institutional and individual clients on many
facets of hospitality real estate including: expert testimony, site
evaluation, highest and best use analysis, appraisals, and feasibility
and market studies. Mr. Biggs earned a B.S. in Accounting from the
University of Texas at Dallas – School of Management.
Ellen Sooyon Park
currently serves as Vice President for
LW Hospitality Advisors, based in New York City. Ms. Park earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Tourism Management
from New York University Preston Robert Tisch Center for
Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. She holds significant
operational experience in various independent and branded
hotels, including The James New York and Chicago, The Alex Hotel,
Hotel Indigo – Chelsea, Hotel Roger Williams, and Millenium
Hilton. Her most recent professional experience at Denihan
Hospitality Group included introducing a recognized and growing
brand to the New York hotel market. Her sales and marketing
contributions at the Hotel Indigo – Chelsea and Hotel Roger
Williams included analytical and strategic insights to the 2009
Annual Marketing Plan and creation of report and business
proposal templates for a brand new property, respectively.
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
20. Meet the Team
Michelle LaRocca
currently serves as Vice President for LW
Hospitality Advisors, based in New York City. Prior to joining, she spent
three years at Deutsche Bank as an Associate in the Leveraged &
Structured Finance group within Credit Risk Management. During her
undergraduate career, she gained varied experience in the Hospitality
industry through positions in Development, Revenue Management,
Event Planning, and Restaurant Operations. Ms. LaRocca obtained a
Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel & Tourism Management from the
NYU Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism.
She was honored at graduation with the Bunny Grossinger Award for
exhibiting outstanding leadership, and remains an active member of
the Tisch Center Alumni Society.
Michael Travers
serves as Vice President for LW Hospitality
Advisors, based in Atlanta. Prior to joining the firm, he has had
experiences in both the financial and hospitality industries. Michael
worked at Morgan Stanley for a financial advisor, giving him
knowledge of various financial markets. At the Hotel Beacon in New
York City Michael worked in the executive office of the hotel, where
he managed various projects for different departments within the
hotel. Most recently, he worked at a hotel online reservation site,
gaining knowledge of hotel revenue management. Mr. Travers holds a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Fairfield University.
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
21. Meet the Team
Kurt Strauss
serves as Managing Director for LWHA Asset &
Property Management Services, based in New York City. Prior to
joining the firm Mr. Strauss held the position of General Manager
(Regional) with Magna Hospitality Group, and focused on supporting
the Vice Presidents in assessing hotel performance, renovations
oversight, as well as construction management. Previously, Mr.
Strauss served as General Manager for Synergy Hospitality at both
the Crowne Plaza New York LaGuardia as well as the Crowne Plaza
Philadelphia West. Prior to moving to the Northeast, the Johnson &
Wales University graduate spent three years working with
Abercrombie & Kent Destination Clubs overseeing Florida Operations
responsible for $11 Million in annual revenues and $33 Million in
asset management.
Robert Van Laer
currently serves as Senior Associate for LW
Hospitality Advisors, based in New York City. In addition to being a
native New Yorker, Mr. Van Laer holds significant hospitality
operational experience accumulated in Belgium, Greece, and
Switzerland with both independent and chain-affiliated hotels. His indepth knowledge of the hospitality industry has served him well in
performing market and feasibility analyses for not only the hotel and
restaurant industry, but also the distilled beverage industry. Mr. Van
Laer holds a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality
Management from EcoleHôtelière de Lausanne with a specialization
in Finance (Corporate; Market; Real Estate).
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
22. Meet the Team
Spencer Davidson graduated from Boston University in 2012
with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Administration. Currently, Mr.
Davidson serves as a Senior Associate for LW Hospitality Advisors,
and has been with the company providing extensive valuation and
appraisal services. He has extensive experience in both hotel and
restaurant operations and had most recently held a position as
Operations Manager at Dos Caminos in New York City, a $13
million/yr restaurant property within BR Guest Hospitality.
Additionally, he has worked for companies such as Tao Restaurant
Group, Hilton Hotels under Briad Hospitality Group, and independent
5-star luxury hotel property, The Chancery Court Hotel, in London,
UK.
David Eskander
currently serves as Assistant Vice President
for LWHA Asset & Property Management Services. Mr. Eskander
holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Hotel
Administration at Cornell University. He is also a member of the
Cornell Hotel Society and HSMAI. Mr. Eskander most recently served
as Area Sales Manager at Highgate Hotels overseeing key accounts
for the Crowne Plaza Times Square and Park Central Hotel. During his
tenure at Highgate, Mr. Eskander was instrumental in establishing
new accounts and developing strong relationships between the sales
and operations teams. His success at Highgate led him to be
promoted three times within his first two years at the company and
was selected as Manager of the Year in 2011 while with Hilton New
York Fashion District.
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
23. Meet the Team
Soo Yeon Noh
is an Associate of LW Hospitality Advisors.
Prior to joining full time, Soo served as an intern at the firm for
two semesters. She also gained varied experience in the
Hospitality industry through positions in Real Estate Acquisitions,
Revenue Management, Development, Purchasing, Sales and
Marketing during her undergraduate career. Soo received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel & Tourism Management from
the NYU Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Sports, and
Tourism, concentrating in Hotel Development.
Michael Cline
serves as an Associate of LW Hospitality
Advisors. Prior to joining the firm, he gained operational
experience in a variety of hotels and resorts including Anchorage
by the Sea, The Statler Hotel, and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill
Country Resort. While working at the front desk at Anchorage by
the Sea in Ogunquit, Maine, Michael interacted with all
departments gaining extensive knowledge of hotel operations.
Most recently, Mr. Cline acquired experience in food and beverage
operations while interning at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill
Country Resort. Mr. Cline holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Hotel Administration from the Cornell University School of Hotel
Administration.
For complete team bios, please visit our website:
http://www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com/team
32. 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 805
New York, NY 10018
United States of America
T 212.300.6684
www.lwhospitalityadvisors.com
Atlanta Office
Orlando Office
180 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 250
5728 Major Boulevard, Suite 215
Atlanta, GA 30339
Orlando, FL 32819
United States of America
United States of America
T. 404.220.7704
T. 407.301.2999
