Charles Mallory got started in the hotel and hospitality business late at 51, but still managed to build an empire that continues to expand 25 years later.
He is managing partner of six luxury hotels in Connecticut belonging to The Delamar Collection and two hotels out of state in Michigan and New Hampshire.
Hospitality was always in Mallory’s heart, he even said it on national television when he was a college freshman (more on that later).
But at the urging of his dad, Mallory took a detour into a different first career that would last 25 years.
“I was always charmed and intrigued,” by the hotel and hospitality business,” he said.
Then he made it happen.
For his profound impact on the state’s economy and tourism, and also the simple delight he brings guests, Mallory is receiving the inaugural Hotelier of the Year Award from the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association.
“I have nothing but amazing things to say about him,” said Scott Dolch, CRHA president and CEO. “He continues to invest in our state and will elevate the area for years to come.” Dolch said Mallory is a person who “really cares about the industry,” and his guests.
Delamar West Hartford. (Courtesy)
Mallory is a managing partner in the Delamar group of luxury hotels located in Greenwich, Southport, Westport, West Hartford, Mystic and most recently the newly renovated Inn at Longshore in Westport, one in Michigan, another in New Hampshire.
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The award was announced Tuesday, but will be given as part of the industry’s Crazies awards Dec. 7.
Mallory said he’s, “thrilled, honored and humbled. I really do feel it’s an award I can share with many people. We have a great team.”
Mallory, 75, also said, “Any awards or accolades are happy moments for me. I’ve created something that has staying power and can grow.”
That national television proclamation was made when he appeared on The Dating Game as a college freshman in 1970 and won the dream date. Host Jim Lange asked about his career plans. “I just blurted out, ‘Well, I really want to be in the hotel and restaurant business,” Mallory told the Courant in 2018.
In senior year of college Mallory considered buying a wine bar in Palo Alto, California, but when his father “got wind of it” told Mallory it “wasn’t a good idea” and gently persuaded him to just try a career as a ship broker. The family was from a long line of ship builders since 1816.
Mallory had a successful career of 25 years in that field, but through that time his interest in hospitality only grew as the ship selling job involved a lot of traveling, restaurants, hotel stays.
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“I have no regrets about going into shipping. I had two very fulfilling careers,” said Mallory who has no plan to slow down the hotel development. “It was enjoyable, I was successful, it allowed me the opportunity to jump in (to the hotel business).”
In the early 1990s he dabbled in commercial real estate, then took the leap and founded Greenwich Hospitality Group, which includes partners.
“I jumped into the fire,” he said.
There are many facets of the hotel business that captivate Mallory who said he enjoys the creation of the physical building, or renovating and “creating something fun, interesting and memorable.”
Delamar Westport. (Courtesy)
“Transforming something from a sow’s ear to a silk purse is satisfying,” Mallory said. “I enjoy the satisfaction of people telling me they had a wonderful stay.”
He also likes creating job opportunities for others, he said.
Their most recent “silk purse” is the iconic, waterfront Inn at Longshore in Westport that underwent extensive renovations, probably the first in 40 years, he said.
“They kept it going with band-aides and glue,” he said.
A unique aspect of Mallory’s hotels, Dolch said, is that they all have their own restaurant, and good ones at that.
Each luxury hotel has its own character, each room in the hotels are different and through arrangements with museums and the arts community each has fine art.
“Each hotel is different. They have their own charms,” he said. A common thread is they have “great food, quiet sophistication, great decor.”
He said guests can go from one hotel to the next to get a different vibe. There also are spas.
Delamar CEO Charles Mallory
Mallory said guests visit from all over the world.
“It gives us a United Nations sort of feeling,” Mallory said.
Mallory has no plans to slow down and there are other projects in the works.
“I really have enjoyed it,” he said of the hotel business. “I don’t think I’d be quite as energetic if I retired.”
He said that, when exploring hospitality, the partners decided not to go with a franchised product and that forced them to learn the business and “forge our own brand.”
“It made me work,” he said.
