Driven by experience and a desire to please, The Lixi Group believes every one of its guests is special and deserves the best possible treatment. Staying in one of the Group’s multiple locations for one night, a week or even longer, guests of well-known and respected brands such as Marriott, Hilton and Starwood are afforded the ultimate respect. This has resulted in a strong, loyal customer base, and a badge of pride for The Lixi Group’s Michael Percaccio.
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“One of the things I’m very proud of with all our assets is our repeat clientele base,” says Percaccio, Lixi Group’s Vice President of Operations. “That’s something at Lixi we promote, and the expectation from our property teams is to really create a home away from home for our guests. We believe in true hospitality, and we want to create an environment for the guests where they come and feel like they are at home.”
Like others with the company, Percaccio speaks from plenty of experience. Prior to his current position with The Lixi Group, which he has held for about two years, he spent the bulk of his working life in the hotel business, and knows firsthand just how important it is to make guests comfortable. “I’ve been in the industry for 26 years, and I’ve been an area general manager and general manager for 14 years, and now Vice President for two years,” he comments. “You could say I’ve got a little bit of cement on my shoes.”
Building customer loyalty
Privately owned, The Lixi Group originated in Canada before expanding its presence to the United States in 2012. Ever since its inception, the company has maintained its adherence to quality, both in its hotels and in the people it hires to work at its properties. While industry experience certainly counts when it comes to hiring new employees, the company values ambitious staff with big personalities who stand out from the crowd. Very much a people-pleasing business, hotels are about hospitality and making every guest’s stay as pleasant and inviting as possible. And this starts the moment clients walk through the door.
“We look for someone who jumps off the page, people who bring that smile not only on their face but in how they conduct themselves in the way they talk,” says Percaccio. “It’s transparent, because you can see a smile through the telephone, and I’m a key believer of that.” Whenever he sits down with his general managers, the company’s VP of Operations makes a point of saying he can teach them literally anything about the hospitality business if they want to learn – from sales to back of house operations – but he cannot teach anyone how to really care about the guest in front of them. “That’s got to come from within,” he says. “It comes out through their smile, through their empathy, and through their willingness to make that stay a really memorable one, and that’s what we look for. We look for someone who is willing to go above and beyond for the guest. And if we can find that in your personality, we know we can train you on anything else.”
This positive, upbeat attitude and willingness to go the extra mile for clients is making The Lixi Group a standout in the hotel industry. With a strong repeat client base, the Group’s recognition programs at the desk acknowledge returning visitors. This includes advance check-in and encouraging clients to become members of whatever brand the hotel is, such as Hilton for the Hotel Garden Inn in Nanuet, New York, the Hampton Inn (by Hilton), also in Nanuet, or Starwood for the Aloft in Lexington, Massachusetts, and Element, also in Lexington. Through membership, frequency programs and honor programs of the brands, customers earn points and receive all the benefits of becoming a member.
Knowing and acknowledging guests on a first-name basis is another key point of difference separating The Lixi Group from others in the hotel industry. Going out of their way is not only good for clients, but helps sell guest rooms, “and that’s what the business is all about,” says Percaccio. “We don’t want to get away from that. We are a business, but we are a hospitality business, with emphasis on the word hospitality.”
Multiple locations
Unlike some others in the industry who only enter established markets, The Lixi Group is not afraid to make bold moves and to be the leader in untapped and emerging markets; in fact, the company is often one of the first to have hotels built in areas under development. Getting ready to start breaking ground for a new build in the eastern part of the U.S., the company acknowledges it will take about five years before the project starts to show real dividends but is willing to get in now at ground level so it can be one of the first to help establish the area.
“Location is your best friend, and you need a team to put a lot into the vision of what it can be,” states Percaccio of the company taking on the role as a leader. “We are not opposed to going to a new location and watching it develop around us, with us one of the first developers in that area. We don’t look at the demographics of an area and say, ‘Oh no, this is not for us.’ That’s not something we do. We look at the potential of that area and the possibilities of developing that area. We like to be leaders, and we’re not afraid to take that first step.”
This vision continues to lead to success after success for The Lixi Group and its properties: the Hilton Garden Inn, and Hampton Inn in Nanuet, New York; the Aloft and Element in Lexington, Massachusetts; and the Hilton Garden Inn in Norwalk, Connecticut. Strategically located, the company’s complex in Nanuet is actually home to two Hilton hotels – the Hilton Garden Inn, and the Hampton Inn – which share the same parking lot. Renovated in the first quarter of 2018, the Hilton Garden Inn is an 88-room hotel with a restaurant, and known as a select service hotel with meeting space. Its sister hotel, the Hampton Inn Nanuet, is an 84-room property.
Similarly, the Aloft and the Element in Lexington are part of a complex comprising two hotels. Under the Starwood brand, the two properties also share a parking lot, yet both are unique, as they appeal to different types of markets. The fifth of The Lixi Group hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn in Norwalk, Connecticut, was renovated in 2016. At 170 rooms and 2,200 square feet of meeting space, it is a low-rise in an ideal location, at 560 Main Avenue. “The property is a real gem,” says Percaccio. “It’s one of my favorites.”
Eye on the future
Recognizing the importance of establishing a hotel, including its positive impact on job creation and local economies, one of The Lixi Group’s policies is to become heavily involved in areas where they are located or planning to locate. From area businesses to local community boards, The Lixi Group works on a grassroots level. General Managers are encouraged not just to be members of organizations, but to hold seats on the boards of those organizations.
Wanting his team to be industry leaders in their respective areas, Percaccio says The Lixi Group is more than just a hotel, but a successful business that is also fair, and has a name and a face attached to it.
Looking forward to all the future has in store, Percaccio states The Lixi Group will continue its expansion in America’s Northeast corridor, including possible new builds throughout the area. “We plan on growing,” he says. “We like the hospitality industry, and we feel that we will be not only growing and managing our own assets, but we like to grow and manage other owners’ assets as well. We plan to grow as a management company.”
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The Lixi Group: multiple unique properties
Founded on professionalism and customer service, The Lixi Group has expanded to multiple properties across the United States. From the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn in New York’s Nanuet to the Norwalk, Connecticut’s Hotel Garden Inn, and Aloft and Element – both located in Lexington, Massachusetts – all of The Lixi Group’s properties possess their own unique charms and amenities to meet the needs of individual travelers, couples and families, and corporate clients alike.
Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk
Located at 560 Main Avenue in Norwalk Connecticut, the Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk is conveniently located in the business districts of both Norwalk and Wilton. Close to Glover Avenue, i-Park Norwalk, the Towers Building, the Merritt 7 Corporate Park and Fortune 500 companies, this location is popular with business travelers, and is a brief drive from Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University.
170 newly-renovated guest rooms all boast a refrigerator and microwave along with new large showers and tubs. As one of the first Hilton brands to offer “Digital Key,” access is quick and convenient. With all the comforts of home, there is bottled water in every guest room (complimentary for upper-level Hilton Honors Members), and the hotel is also pet-friendly. Ideal for work and play, the Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk boasts a 24-hour Fitness Center and an indoor pool and spa. There is also available meeting space, an upgraded Business Center, Wi-Fi, and on-site 24-hour coin-operated laundry.
With the lively South Norwalk Historic District (SoNo) just a short walk away, there is plenty to see and do in the area, from top-notch restaurants to movies, a variety of local businesses, museums, and more. Attractions include the popular Maritime Aquarium, the Stepping Stones Children’s Museum, SoNo Seaport, SoNo Ice House, Greenwich Kennel Club Dog Show (held every June), the Oyster Festival (held every September), Regatta Events at the Cedar Point Yacht Club, the NMMA Boat Show (held every September), and various Horse Shows at Ox Ridge Darien and Fairfield County Hunt Club. For the arty crowd, the Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk is near the Westport Country Playhouse and Levitt Pavilion, where musicals and plays are staged.
With a complimentary scheduled van service operating within a five-mile radius, guests are easily able to access the South Norwalk Train Station with service to New York City and Grand Central Terminal.
With its many amenities, the Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk is welcoming to business travelers, with event/meeting space for up to 80 people, including an outdoor seasonal reception area. With plenty of free parking, the hotel’s on-site restaurant also has a bar serving premium liquors. For visitors who want to relax in the comfort of their own room, there is room service from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For those needing catering, the hotel is located near a number of destination catering venues, including the Inn at Longshore, Waveny Mansion (New Canaan), and Gallaher Mansion at Cranbury Park.
Continuing to attract a range of guests, the Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk will soon see a new Hilton Garden Inn “Market” installed in the Lobby (otherwise known as the Sundry Shop).
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Hampton Inn Nanuet
Located at 260 West Route 59 in Nanuet, New York, the Hampton Inn Nanuet offers guests plenty of room options, services, and amenities. From comfy guest rooms to stylish suites, business and pleasure travelers alike are free to choose rooms meeting their needs, under the well-known and internationally respected Hilton brand.
Near the historic downtown area, guests staying at the Hampton Inn Nanuet can find shopping, attractions, and tourist sites for every need. The hotel is conveniently located near a number of airports, such as the Westchester County Airport 25 miles away, LaGuardia Airport 33 miles distant, and the Newark Airport, just a 49-minute drive from the hotel.
In the 84 spacious and comfortable guest rooms, including a number of accessible rooms for those with disabilities, guests are pampered with the Cloud Nine Bed Experience for a good night’s sleep. For short or long-term stays, additional amenities include a microwave oven and refrigerator, iron and ironing board, coffeemaker, hairdryer, and quality Purity Basics bath products. For guests needing to catch up with work, rooms are outfitted with large desks and a comfortable ergonomic chair, free Wi-Fi, fully adjustable lighting, safe deposit box for valuables, and easy-to-access desk-level outlets for laptops, tablets, cell phones and more.
With delicious meals at the complimentary breakfast and beverage area to an on-site 24-hour business center and fitness center, guests are made to feel right at home at the Hampton Inn Nanuet. Elements such as complimentary outdoor parking, a free shuttle service within a five-mile radius, laundry/valet service and on-site guest laundry make the hotel popular with solo travelers, families, and business guests alike.
As a Hilton property, there is a range of rewards available. Members of AAA and CAA can save up to 10 percent with Hampton by Hilton, while guests staying at participating Hampton by Hilton hotels can earn double Hilton Honors Points with a 2X Points Package. Booking early also has its advantages, as guests can save up to 15 percent off existing rates, while seniors staying at the hotel can save up to 10 percent. And for government and military clients, veterans and their families, per diem rates are Hampton by Hilton’s way of saying thank you.
From romantic package getaways with a complimentary bottle of champagne, a rose petal decorated room and chocolates, to family staycations or business trips, the Hampton Inn Nanuet offers great value to all new and repeat guests.
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Aloft Lexington
Located at 727 Marrett Road in Lexington, Massachusetts, the stylish and standout Aloft Lexington continues to attract high praise from guests. Just 20 minutes from downtown Boston, the Aloft Lexington boasts a hip, loft-inspired design near one of the most historic cities in all of America, where the re-enactment of the famous Battles of Lexington and Concord take place every April at the same time as the world-famous Boston Marathon.
Focused on attracting tech-savvy millennials looking for a vibrant social scene, the Aloft brand meets the bill. A great place to meet and mingle, work and play, the Aloft Lexington’s bars, clubs, and restaurants are just right. At the WXYZ Bar, which is open daily, guests can choose from a wide selection of delicious seasonal sips and signature cocktails. All beverages can be enjoyed while relaxing in the outdoor lounge area, taking in the music from Live at Aloft – where talented local artists perform in the evenings in the Remix Lounge – and enjoying the glow of the fireplace.
With downloadable Spotify music playlists for music playing in outdoor areas and keyless room access via Smartphone or Apple watch using the SPG app, the Aloft Lexington is at the leading edge. A pool table located in the lobby and games available at the bar encourage the Aloft’s ‘stay and play atmosphere,’ while local artwork on display is rotated quarterly.
The recently renovated, spacious guest rooms include Wi-Fi and in-room bottled water. For environmentally-conscious guests, there is the option of the Green Choice program: by skipping housekeeping services for a day, guests receive a $5 food and beverage voucher or loyalty reward points. For business needs, there is the 532 square foot Tactic meeting room.
The Aloft’s Re-Fuel offers portable breakfast pots, five options created by chefs to provide forward-thinking guests with a fresh, delicious, and balanced breakfast to suit their style which can be enjoyed on-the-go. These Pots feature on-trend food ingredients with a tasty twist on much-loved breakfast menu items, fundamentally changing the way guests experience breakfast.
For fitness-minded clients, the Aloft Lexington is located close to the Minuteman trail and bike path, while the hotel itself features an indoor saltwater pool and the Re:Charge Gym, open 24/7 and complete with free weights, stretching mats, and a range of cardio and strength equipment.
The Aloft is close to all major highways and offers the privacy and green space of a suburban hotel. Guests can take advantage of Aloft’s free parking and complimentary shuttle.
Welcoming to guests of all ages, the Aloft Lexington is pet-friendly with no additional fee. Through its ARF Program, visitors traveling with their furry friends receive an Aloft-branded bed and bowl at check-in along with complimentary treats and toys. And for parents with children, the Camp Aloft Program sees kids receive a bed in a bag ‘air mattress,’ along with a welcome goody bag with special treats. Conveniently located with welcoming and friendly staff, the Aloft Lexington is beloved by guests.
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Element Lexington
With a strong brand focus on being green and the overall wellness of its healthy, active guests, the Element Lexington is proud of its role. As a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified building, it is designed to use less energy and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Located at 727 Marrett Road – B in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, the Element Lexington has seen a number of recent renovations, including guest rooms (completed in September, 2017) and the lobby, completed this October. Ideally located near major highways, this pet-friendly (with no fee) property offers guests a number of amenities, such as free parking, electric vehicle charging stations, free Wi-Fi, a complimentary shuttle to local businesses, filtered water in the guest rooms, and magnets for do not disturb signs. Guests can also access the Make a Green Choice program, choose not to have housekeeping services for the day, and receive a $5 food and beverage voucher or loyalty reward points.
With the property’s emphasis on wellness, guests can take advantage of a complimentary hot breakfast with a variety of healthy options, and a Chobani Yogurt cart where they can build their very own parfait. And when it comes to exercise, the Element Lexington cannot be beat! For outdoor enthusiasts, the Minuteman trail and bike path is within walking distance, and there is a complimentary bicycle borrowing program available.
Along with an indoor saltwater pool, guests can take advantage of many fun exercise options, like the 24/7 Motion fitness center with kinetic bikes that charge devices as you pedal.
With updated rooms, guests can select from suites with fully-stocked kitchenettes in the guest rooms, studio rooms, one-bedroom suites, and executive suites. For those needing additional space for corporate meetings or parties, the Element Lexington has 462 square feet of newly renovated meeting space and outdoor space with a BBQ grill available for meetings, company parties, social events, and more. Element also offers a “Relax Reception” Monday through Thursday hosted by the Management Staff for the guests to enjoy featuring a variety of light hors d’oeuvres.
Winner of the Loved by Guests award 2018, the Element Lexington has a guest rating of 8.8 on Hotels.com and 4.6 out of 5 on Travelocity, with an impressive 95 percent of guests recommending the hotel on Orbitz.
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Hilton Garden Inn – Nanuet
A newly renovated hotel just 19 miles from New York City, the Hilton Garden Inn – Nanuet is an 88-room property with a combination of rooms and suites to meet the needs of every guest. With a refrigerator, microwave, Wi-Fi, two-line telephones and flat panel LCD high definition television in every room, the Hilton Garden Inn is located at 270 W Route 59 in Nanuet.
Well-located, the hotel is close to Nanuet’s historic downtown area, shopping centers and malls, West Point Academy, and much more. Readily accessible by road or by plane, the Hilton Garden Inn – Nanuet is just 19 miles from Manhattan, and 25 to 33 miles from Westchester County Airport and LaGuardia Airport. And with over 2,200 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, it is ideal for everything from small business meetings to large social events in the Conference Suite, Hudson Rooms A, B or C, the Hudson Ballroom, Hudson Banquet Room, or the Rockland Boardroom.
Recognizing that the stay of every single guest is important, staff at the Hilton Garden Inn – Nanuet are dedicated to the highest possible degree of service and hospitality. Along with top-notch amenities and services, clients can take advantage of complimentary Wi-Fi, room service, the fitness center and indoor heated pool, whirlpool, lounge, the Pavilion Lounge and 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market, and much more.
Ideal for short or long stays, the Hilton Garden Inn is perfect for families and business travelers alike. With advance purchase discounts of up to 15 percent, weekends can be turned into three-day stays with the popular Long Weekender package, with additional savings of 50 percent on Sunday night. Along with AAA/CAA discounts of up to 10 percent, AAA members can enjoy the Family Fun package of breakfast for two adults and two children, premium Wi-Fi, and five percent off at participating hotels or resorts. Mature guest members of the AARP save up to 10 percent off the best available rate, while active and retired military personnel and their families also enjoy discounted rates.
From the Weekend Getaway Package – where guests earn Double Points while taking advantage of Internet access, breakfast, and late checkout – to fun-filled staycation packages, to the romantic Dine & Wine daily $25 food and beverage package, there is always lots to enjoy at the Hilton Garden Inn – Nanuet.
