Newport Hospitality Group Expands Midwest Presence with Dual-Branded Hilton Hotel

WILLIAMSBURG, VA — Newport Hospitality Group, a leading hotel management company known for operational excellence and people-first service, announces the addition of the Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Easton and Homewood Suites Columbus Easton, Ohio, to its growing portfolio. Owned by Har and Rani Bhatnagar, the dual-branded properties are located at 3600 Morse Road, adjacent to Easton Town Center, a popular open-air destination offering shopping, dining, entertainment, and business activity.

We are excited to be back in Ohio. Columbus is a high-growth market with strong fundamentals and year-round demand. These hotels are ideally located, and we’re excited to bring Newport’s proven operating discipline and service culture to elevate performance and deliver an outstanding guest experience. Wayne West III, President of Newport Hospitality Group

Opened in December 2021, the two hotels total 240 guestrooms, including 144 rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Easton and 96 suites at Homewood Suites Columbus Easton. Designed to serve both business and leisure travelers, the properties feature more than 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, offering strong options for corporate meetings, group travel, and local events.

Our hotels are built upon the principles of high-quality hospitality, strong morals, and a dedicated work ethic, said Owner Rani Bhatnagar. We believe these core values align perfectly with those of Newport, and we trust them to lead these hotels toward success and ensure they remain positive contributors to the local community.

Strategic Entry into a Dynamic Market

This management contract represents a significant milestone in Newport’s continued growth strategy. Building on its experience operating dual-branded hotels, Newport will apply a unified commercial approach to drive performance across both brands at Easton. As Ohio’s capital city, Columbus benefits from a diverse economic base supported by government and education, healthcare and research, technology and innovation, and major retail and entertainment districts. The city’s steady development, expanding employer footprint, and year-round travel activity position it as a market where high-quality, well-operated hotels can consistently outperform. The addition further strengthens Newport’s Hilton partnership, bringing the company’s Hilton-managed portfolio to 14 hotels.

The Easton Town Center area is a key hub for travelers seeking convenience, access, and a vibrant mix of dining, shopping, and business activity. The dual-branded format offers flexibility for a broad range of guests—from short-stay business travelers to extended-stay families, project teams, and relocating professionals—while the property’s meeting space adds incremental value for groups and corporate demand.

This addition to our portfolio reflects a strong alignment between two outstanding Hilton brands, a premier location, and the operational opportunity we know how to unlock, West said. Newport has deep experience across select-service and extended-stay hotels, and our team is focused on executing consistently at the highest level.

West said Newport is honored to have been selected by Middletown Hotel Management and the Bhatnagar Family to operate the hotels. Newport will support the properties through disciplined revenue management and pricing strategy, direct sales leadership, and targeted digital marketing campaigns designed to grow corporate, group, and extended-stay demand across both brands.

For more information about Newport Hospitality Group, visit nhghotels.com.

About Newport Hospitality Group

Newport Hospitality Group, based in Williamsburg, Virginia, turns hotel operations into measurable growth by aligning precise execution with a unified commercial strategy. With more than 35 years of experience leading branded and independent hotels including partnerships with Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Wyndham, Choice, and IHG — Newport helps owners grow with clarity, control, and purpose. Guided by its Living Hospitality philosophy, the company believes hospitality begins with people and is amplified by purpose, where performance is built on integrity and relationships last.