After being interviewed for the April 2024 edition, Boutique Hotelier, a UK-based publication that focuses on the boutique and luxury hotel industry, invited Larry Korman, President and CEO of AKA Hotels and Hotel Residences, to contribute a regular monthly column where he shares his insights on the various aspects of the hospitality industry. Through these columns, Korman provides valuable perspectives on enhancing guest experiences, the strategic role of design, and the significance of company culture in the boutique hotel industry. In his recent articles, Larry has explored familiar topics from his unique point of view:
March, 2025
Larry Korman celebrates Women in Leadership in his newest article for Boutique Hotelier Magazine.
In his new column for the March 2025 edition of Boutique Hotelier, Larry Korman, CEO of AKA Hotels + Hotel Residences, reflects on the profound influence women leaders have had on his company’s enduring success. Tracing AKA's rich heritage through five generations of the Korman family, he emphasizes the foundational role of his great grandmother Bella, whose resourcefulness laid the groundwork upon which more than 30,000 homes and 10,000 apartment residences were ultimately built. This tradition of impactful women leadership continued into the 1970s, when Kathy Ragg collaborated with Steve Korman, Larry’s father, to elevate Korman’s furnished suite program by thoughtfully introducing new amenities such as linen packages, kitchen essentials, and housekeeping services, setting a higher standard for luxury and comfort. After 50 years of outstanding leadership, Kathy Ragg retired as a Senior VP, overseeing operations and property transformation projects for Korman’s AKA brand.
Later, in the early 2000s, when the company rebranded itself into three distinct brands—AKA, AVE, and ARK—three exceptional women leaders were selected from within the organization to head these new ventures. M.J. Paschall took leadership of AKA, Lea Anne Welsh assumed the presidency of AVE, and Kathy Schriver led ARK. Each had previously demonstrated her capabilities as a Regional Director, reflecting the depth of female leadership talent cultivated at Korman, and the commitment to create leadership opportunities for everyone in the Korman family-owned company. Larry Korman credits much of AKA’s continued growth and success to the invaluable lessons learned from these insightful, dedicated women who have significantly shaped the company’s culture, vision, and trajectory.
February 2025
Programming Elevates a Hotel to a Destination
The Fourth Dimension in Hospitality
“No longer are guests simply seeking relaxation; they’re searching for authentic, meaningful experiences that resonate with their individual lifestyles,” proclaims Larry Korman in his fourth installment for Boutique Hotelier magazine.
For a hotel brand to distinguish itself in an ever more competitive environment, the key is providing guests with authentic and meaningful programs to do something different during their hotel stay: personal growth activities such as learning a new skill, wellness initiatives, and voluntourism opportunities that allow guests to give back to local communities.
January 2025
Less Is More
In a world overwhelmed by a multitude of choices, Korman advocates for simplicity plus quality in a hotel’s offerings. He believes that a curated selection clarifies what is truly important to the hotel’s identity and what is most meaningful for the guest. At AKA, this philosophy is reflected in a minimalist design approach and dedicated service teams focused on enhancing the guest experience. Korman explains, “In today’s cluttered world, simplicity stands out as a powerful way to enhance the user experience, cutting through the noise and helping the customer make decisions with ease and confidence.”
December 2024
Culture Creates Character
Korman emphasizes that fostering a positive team culture directly influences guest experiences. The article begins, “At its core, hospitality is about creating positive, memorable experiences that make people feel appreciated and comfortable in your space.” Korman believes that valuing team members, recognizing their contribution, providing opportunity for professional growth, and creating a supportive work environment, correspondingly results in superior services for the guests, and overall guest satisfaction.
October 2024
Engendering Loyalty is More Than Just Creating Programs
Korman discusses the limitations of conventional loyalty schemes and emphasizes the importance of creating authentic relationships with guests. He highlights AKA's approach of rewarding longer stays with the most value, by providing real savings for longer stays and creating an incentive for an enjoyable, more leisurely stay. In 2023, instead of a points program, AKA launched Access AKA, a private membership club that provides experiential benefits and tangible savings.
August 2024
Design Can Be a Potent Differentiator
Reflecting on his early experiences with architect Louis Kahn, who designed the Korman family home in 1971, Larry Korman underscores how thoughtful design can serve as a potent differentiator in the hospitality sector. Korman writes, “Louis Kahn’s ability to blend functionality with aesthetic appeal, harnessing natural elements like light to elevate human experience, remains a guiding principle in my work.” Korman discusses AKA’s minimalist design aesthetic—such as low organic lighting, soft music, neutral interiors, and soothing ambiance—to create a calming environment for guests.
