Jeff Klein started his hospitality career in 1993 as a bellman at The Franklin Hotel, where he learned the ropes of running a hotel in various operational roles. His first hotel project was the successful repositioning of a midtown office building into The City Club hotel. After The City Club, Jeff raised capital to acquire the dilapidated Argyle Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, and repositioned it to The Sunset Tower Hotel, an iconic LA destination. The Tower Bar at that hotel was his first restaurant, and remains an elegant destination for celebrities, Hollywood elite, and cultural tastemakers.
In 2013, Jeff acquired the San Vicente Inn, which was a run-down seedy motel in the heart of West Hollywood, and transformed it into the San Vicente Bungalows, an exclusive private members club known for attracting high profile industry executives. Most recently, due to the demand for the privacy and discretion that the club distinctly offers, Jeff has expanded San Vicente Bungalows to Santa Monica on Ocean Boulevard and at the Jane Hotel in New York's West Village.
Jeff is one of the rare hospitality entrepreneurs that has an intuitive understanding of how to buy good real estate and how to curate a timeless experience that fosters longevity and loyalty. In this interview, Jeff shares the stories behind the deals that made his career, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Thank you Peoplevine for making this podcast possible. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at peoplevine.com.
Interview Highlights:
- How Jeff got his start in hospitality
- Creating the Sunset Tower Hotel
- Jeff's various investors in Sunset Tower
- What makes a great capital partner?
- Opening the Monkey Bar with Graydon Carter
- The subconscious elements have big impact
- The acquisition story behind San Vicente Bungalows
- Fundraising challenges with SVB
- Building properties loved by Hollywood
- Hospitality is the business of emotions
- Lessons about human nature
- Advice for emerging hoteliers
Learn more about JK Hotel Group here.
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