Hillsborough County Hotel & Lodging Association

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Hillsborough County Hotel & Lodging Association

The Hillsborough County Hotel & Lodging Association is a membership-based organization that represents leading local hotels, motels and resorts.

These accommodations generate more than 90 percent of the total hotel revenue generated in Hillsborough County. First organized in 1937, HCHLA members include hotels, motels and resorts, as well as, the beneficiaries of the Tourist Development Tax allocated within Hillsborough County, businesses providing products and services to the hotel community and Busch Gardens, one of Florida’s leading attractions.

06/03/2026

To wrap up our HCHLA Welcome Series, we asked Lukasz how he unwinds and what makes his property stand out.

For Lukasz, balance starts with family. Time spent with his wife and two kids, especially near the water is what helps him recharge and stay grounded in an otherwise fast-paced industry.

That same sense of connection carries into his vision for the property.

While the recent renovations, including updated guest rooms, a new restaurant, and a reimagined pool experience are impressive, Lukasz believes what truly sets the property apart is the team behind it.

His focus is simple but powerful: deliver a premier experience through exceptional service.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about where guests stay, it’s about how they feel while they’re there.

We’re excited to have Lukasz as part of the Tampa Bay hospitality community.

05/27/2026

Continuing our HCHLA Welcome Series, we asked Lukasz what trends he’s seeing across Tampa Bay’s travel and tourism landscape.

His perspective? Momentum…and a lot of it.

From major sporting events and concerts to citywide conventions and continued investment across the region, Tampa Bay is evolving into a destination that offers more than just a place to stay—it delivers experiences.

Today’s travelers are more intentional. They’re looking for quality, connection, and memorable moments—and Tampa Bay is uniquely positioned to deliver on all three.

With its mix of business, leisure, and lifestyle offerings, the region continues to grow as a dynamic, in-demand destination, and leaders like Lukasz are helping shape what comes next.

05/20/2026

As part of our HCHLA Welcome Series, we asked Lukasz what excites him most about leading his team…and his answer speaks to the heart of great hospitality leadership.

For Lukasz, it’s all about growth.

Seeing team members develop, succeed, and come together around a shared vision is what drives him. In an industry as demanding as hospitality, he believes success starts with creating the right environment, one where associates feel supported, empowered, and aligned around delivering exceptional guest experiences.

With a newly renovated property as the backdrop, Lukasz is focused on building more than just a beautiful space, he’s building a culture rooted in high standards, collaboration, and opportunity.

Because when the team thrives, the guest experience follows.

05/13/2026

As part of our HCHLA Welcome Series, we’re pleased to introduce Lukasz Chrzastek, General Manager of The Westin Tampa Bay, a hospitality leader whose career has been deeply rooted in the Tampa Bay market.

With 18 years of experience in hospitality, all of it in Tampa Bay, Lukasz brings a strong understanding of the region, the industry, and the people who make this market so special. His background includes leadership roles at The Vinoy, Marriott St. Pete properties, and most recently, being part of the opening team at the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach.

Now leading The Westin Tampa Bay through an exciting new chapter, Lukasz brings both local expertise and a passion for building strong, high-performing teams to a property that continues to evolve and elevate its guest experience.

We’re excited to spotlight a leader whose career reflects both commitment to hospitality and belief in the strength of the Tampa Bay market.

05/06/2026

As we conclude our 4-part HCHLA Welcome Series, we’re sharing a more personal side of Oral Kelly, General Manager of Hotel Flor.

Outside of the boardroom and lobby, what helps him reset?
Discipline, reflection, and a little soccer.

He’s a lifelong Arsenal fan, an early riser who begins his day at 4AM, and someone who believes leadership starts with filling your own cup before pouring into others.

He lives by five guiding words:
Clarity.
Discipline.
Alignment.
Intention.
Perception.

In an industry that demands constant energy, staying grounded isn’t optional — it’s essential.

We are proud to welcome Oral Kelly to the Tampa Bay hospitality community and look forward to the continued impact ahead.

04/29/2026

HCHLA is proud to spotlight Oral Kelly, General Manager of Hotel Flor, as we continue welcoming new hospitality leaders to our region.

One topic he spoke passionately about was guest experience — and how we define it.

For Kelly, great service should never feel transactional.

He describes it as “unreasonable hospitality” — creating moments that feel intentional from the very first interaction. After travel delays, long days, and airport stress, guests don’t just want efficiency.

They want to feel seen.
When service becomes experiential instead of procedural, satisfaction rises, loyalty builds, and guests return with friends.

That’s the standard he’s committed to bringing to Tampa Bay.

04/22/2026

As part of HCHLA’s initiative to welcome new General Managers to the Tampa Bay hospitality community, we’re continuing our spotlight on Oral Kelly, General Manager of Hotel Flor.

We invited him to reflect on a defining career moment — the one that shaped everything that followed.

His story took us back to Jamaica, where he grew up with very little but dreamed very big. That dream led him to join a cruise line, where he quickly worked his way up through multiple promotions.

On Celebrity Cruise Line, among 900 employees from 50 countries, he was named Employee of the Month less than six months after his employment.

For him, that recognition wasn’t just an award.

It was confirmation that vision, discipline, and belief can change the trajectory of your life.
Tampa Bay is fortunate to welcome leaders whose journeys are built on resilience and purpose.

04/15/2026

As part of HCHLA’s ongoing effort to welcome new General Managers to the Tampa Bay hospitality community, we’re proud to spotlight Oral Kelly, the General Manager of Hotel Flor.

When the conversation turned to leadership, one theme came through clearly: belief.

What excites him most about leading this team isn’t systems or strategy.

It’s watching people rediscover confidence after navigating renovation challenges, operational hurdles, and growing pains. Rather than coming in to “change everything,” he chose to focus first on support.

“No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
That steady, people-first approach is helping rebuild pride from within.

Tampa Bay thrives when leaders invest in their teams — and we’re pleased to officially welcome Oral Kelly to our market.

04/08/2026

To wrap up our welcome spotlight on Jeff Mayers, Managing Director of Saddlebrook Resort, we loved hearing both his personal reset routine and his perspective on the Tampa Bay market.

After a full day in hospitality, Jeff unwinds by staying active — workouts, long evening walks (often with his dog), and time with his wife. For him, that reset time clears the mind and helps him show up strong the next day.

And when it comes to a “hidden talent,” Jeff shared something that matters deeply in our industry: he’s a people person who can adapt and connect with just about anyone. He even described hospitality professionals as part “psychiatrist” — learning personalities, building trust, and meeting people where they are.

He also highlighted what makes Tampa Bay such a powerful destination: the continued growth in sports tourism, the strength of the convention market, and the diversity of experiences visitors can enjoy without having to travel far.

Most importantly, Jeff emphasized the value of partnership — with local tourism leaders, community initiatives, and industry organizations like HCHLA — because when hospitality succeeds, our community succeeds too.

We’re proud to welcome Jeff Mayers to the Tampa Bay hospitality community.

04/01/2026

As we continue highlighting Jeff Mayers, Managing Director of Saddlebrook Resort, the conversation naturally shifted to operational alignment and teamwork.

At a resort destination like Saddlebrook, the guest experience doesn’t live in one department — it lives in how everything connects.

Jeff shared that as Managing Director the biggest operational challenge in a spread-out, multi-offering resort environment is communication. If teams aren’t aligned, information gets inconsistent, silos form, and the guest experience starts to feel fragmented.

That’s why Jeff prioritizes daily communication and daily operational standups to keep teams connected, focused, and moving together.

He also spoke directly about the importance of breaking down silos. In his words, when everyone is only looking after their own interests, nobody is protecting the big picture.

For Jeff, collaboration isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s the engine behind consistency, growth opportunities for staff, and a smoother experience for guests.

Address

PO Box 3298
Tampa, FL
33601

Website

http://www.hchla.org/

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