Trailborn Taps Veteran COO to Steer Major Western US Expansion

NEW YORK, NY – February 26, 2026 – Trailborn Hotels & Resorts, a rapidly growing brand focused on outdoor adventure, has announced the appointment of hospitality veteran Paul Eckert as its new Chief Operations Officer. The strategic hire comes as the company prepares for a significant national expansion, including highly anticipated new properties in the iconic destinations of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Mendocino, California.

Eckert’s appointment signals a pivotal moment for Trailborn, known as 'The Official Hotel of the Great Outdoors™'. He is tasked with overseeing and scaling operations across the brand’s growing portfolio, ensuring that its ambitious growth trajectory does not compromise the unique guest experience that has defined its success. This involves a deep focus on operational excellence, thoughtful design, and curated programming that connects visitors to their natural surroundings.

An Architect for a New Chapter of Growth

The timing of Eckert's arrival is critical. Trailborn is moving beyond its initial collection of boutique hotels into larger, more operationally complex properties. The forthcoming Trailborn Jackson Hole, the brand's first ski resort and four-season mountain destination, and a multi-property campus in Mendocino represent a new chapter that demands seasoned leadership. Eckert is expected to implement the robust systems necessary to support this scale.

"Paul is a proven leader with a deep understanding of how to scale operations without compromising guest experience or culture," said Mike Weiss and Ben Weinberg, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Trailborn Hotels & Resorts. "As we enter our next chapter with larger, more complex resort-style properties like Trailborn Jackson Hole and a multi-property campus in Mendocino, Paul's operational rigor, track record of achieving top guest satisfaction, and passion for hospitality make him the ideal partner to help us build enduring systems, empower our on-property teams, and deliver exceptional guest experiences."

The co-founders also emphasized Eckert’s cultural alignment with the brand’s values. "Just as importantly, he leads with integrity, empathy, and humility, which is deeply aligned with how we build our teams and our brand," they added. This highlights the challenge for many rapidly growing lifestyle brands: maintaining a strong, positive culture while expanding footprint and headcount.

A Three-Decade Legacy in Lifestyle and Resort Operations

Eckert brings three decades of formidable experience in managing resort and independent hotel operations across the nation. His resume reflects a consistent ability to drive performance, foster team engagement, and elevate the guest experience in the specialized lifestyle hospitality sector.

Most recently, Eckert served as Executive Vice President of Operations & Business Intelligence at Davidson Hospitality Group. In this role, he managed a diverse portfolio of thirteen assets stretching from Florida to Hawaii, overseeing $400 million in top-line revenue and $100 million in net operating income. He was recognized for driving top-tier operational performance, supporting new hotel openings, and managing multi-million-dollar renovations while championing high guest satisfaction scores.

Prior to his tenure at Davidson, Eckert was Vice President of Operations at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, where he was instrumental in developing the company’s Lifestyle Vertical for strategic growth. His expertise in this niche was honed over a distinguished 15-year career at Omni Hotels & Resorts. At Omni, he played a key role in the development and operations of several high-profile properties and served as General Manager for flagship resorts. As Managing Director of the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, he successfully elevated resort programming, leading to record-level guest satisfaction and significant gains in market share.

Redefining the Great American Getaway

Eckert’s appointment comes at a time when the outdoor hospitality market is experiencing unprecedented demand. Modern travelers are increasingly seeking authentic, nature-based experiences that go beyond conventional lodging. Trailborn has positioned itself at the forefront of this trend, offering design-forward accommodations, experience-driven programming, and insightful local teams in some of the country's most extraordinary outdoor destinations.

The brand's existing portfolio includes Trailborn Surf & Sound in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina; Trailborn Grand Canyon in Williams, Arizona; and Trailborn Highlands in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. This strategic footprint is set to expand significantly. In a move that underscores its market savvy, Trailborn entered into a long-term partnership with Marriott International in 2024, integrating its portfolio into Marriott’s system and anchoring a new outdoors-focused collection. This partnership provides Trailborn with the global distribution power and loyalty program reach of a hospitality giant while allowing it to maintain its distinct boutique identity and curated guest experience.

Charting the Course for Jackson Hole and Mendocino

The immediate focus for Eckert will be on the brand's next major launches. The spring 2026 opening of Hill House at Trailborn Mendocino will introduce a design-driven coastal retreat to the Northern California coast, while the summer 2026 debut of Trailborn Jackson Hole will mark the brand's entry into the competitive four-season luxury mountain resort market.

These properties are not just additions to a portfolio; they are statements of intent, pushing the brand into new tiers of service and operational complexity. Eckert’s role will be to ensure these flagship destinations launch flawlessly and set a new standard for the Trailborn experience. His deep background in managing complex resorts and developing lifestyle brands makes him uniquely qualified to navigate the challenges ahead. With a seasoned operator now at the helm of its day-to-day functions, Trailborn is strategically positioned to navigate its ambitious expansion, aiming to solidify its status as the definitive hotel brand for the modern outdoor adventurer.