Dive Brief:
- Developer Hawkins Way Capital has rebranded the Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn in Santa Barbara, California, as a Found Hotels property and converted it under the new Series by Marriott collection brand, according to a Tuesday release.
- The 150-key Found Santa Barbara offers “a relaxed, garden-style retreat with lush courtyards and two outdoor pools,” catering to leisure, corporate and group travelers, according to the release. With the hotel’s Marriott affiliation, guests can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points on their stays.
- The hotel is part of a strategic partnership between Hawkins Way Capital and Marriott International to convert six properties to Found Hotels, Series by Marriott.
Dive Insight:
Found Santa Barbara is “positioned as an ideal setting for corporate retreats, social gatherings and wedding groups, offering flexible accommodations and an accessible location for events and celebrations,” according to Beverley Hills, California-based Hawkins Way Capital.
The developer opened the hotel as part of a deal to bring the Series by Marriott collection brand to the U.S., following its debut in India in May.
Series by Marriott aims to bring “strong, regionally relevant brands and hotels” in the midscale and upscale segment under the Marriott portfolio, the hotel company said in a statement at the time of the launch.
Found Santa Barbara joins the growing Series by Marriott portfolio, including Found Miami Beach and Found Santa Monica, which Hawkins Way Capital opened in November.
Forthcoming Series by Marriott properties through the Hawkins Way partnership will be located in Chicago, San Francisco and San Diego, California, a November press release detailed.
The November openings contributed to Marriott’s system growth in the fourth quarter of 2025. At year-end, Marriott’s global system totaled more than 9,800 properties, or nearly 1.78 million rooms, up 4.3% year over year, according to a Q4 earnings report.
Also during Q4, Marriott launched nature-focused collection brand Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy. The company plans to expand both new collection brands in 2026, Bobby Molinary, Marriott’s chief development officer for select brands, told Hotel Dive earlier this year.
