Behind the Scenes

BEHIND THE SCENES by JUDY OSTROW photography by CHIP RIEGEL

Meet the NEW leader with hospitality in his DNA: DANT HIRSCH

Ocean House Collection welcomes an executive with lifelong experience

Dant Hirsch, Ocean House Collection’s new President and Managing Director, is a great fit for the helm of a triple five-star resort that is one of just 14 with that distinction in the world. Many hoteliers have found their niche in the business starting with a summer job at a restaurant or resort. Some were lured by the travel opportunities of a hospitality career. But Hirsch was doing entrylevel hotel tasks at a time when most children his age were delivering newspapers and mowing lawns.

“My parents owned a coastal resort in Western Canada on Vancouver Island, which my dad built and they expanded over the years, from a small hotel with a few cabins to a spa and resort that is the second largest employer in our little beach town. As a kid, I was cleaning rooms, delivering linens, washing dishes in the kitchen, and gradually got to do some of the big-boy jobs too. We moved there when I was three, so I grew up in the business.” Hirsch notes that Westerly reminds him very much of Parksville, the small and beautiful community where his family built Tigh-Na-Mara, which translates from Gaelic as “house by the sea.”

After graduating from Penn State, he circled back to hospitality while taking a break before applying to law school, returning to Vancouver Island as general manager of his parents’ resort. By the time he enrolled in Cornell’s Executive Development Program for General Managers, thoughts of a legal career were already in Hirsch’s rearview mirror. Meeting GMs from around the country, he developed a circle of friendships that included James McManemon from the Ritz-Carlton. After the program finished and he returned to Parksville, regular phone conversations with his Cornell colleague led to Hirsch’s introduction to luxury hospitality via a visit to a Ritz-Carlton property at McManemon’s urging. Won over by the level of detail and luxury of the five-star brand, he moved to the United States and began a career trajectory that has led him to Ocean House.

After five years in leadership positions with Ritz-Carlton, he moved on to management positions with St. Regis in Miami and Kauai. Most recently, Hirsch consulted with The Dominick in New York as well as working on development for the Six Senses brand. He also served as Regional General Manager of the Americas for COMO Hotels and Resorts, where he led the multimillion-dollar renovation and repositioning of Parrot Cay, a thousand-acre resort property in the Turks and Caicos. With extensive experience in luxury, Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond properties, his most recent move to Westerly and Ocean House Collection represents an ideal alignment of experience and opportunity.

Ocean House founders Charles and Deborah Royce are enthusiastic about Hirsch’s arrival.

“He has the leadership track record, the creativity and the vision to successfully lead this extraordinary collection of properties and our associates,” note the Royces. “Dant’s understanding of the luxury hotel industry enables him to provide a strategic direction for our capable team members, create exceptional and innovative experiences for our guests, serve our local community, and help position the organization for the future.”

Having landed at Ocean House at the

Opposite page: Hirsch, his wife Ana Maria and son Hayden are enjoying their new home base in Rhode Island.

beginning of the 2021 high season with his wife Ana Maria and young son Hayden, Hirsch reflects on what he loves about his new position, and what his vision is, for now and the future of Ocean House Collection.

“I’m from a small seaside town, and always envisioned raising my children in a place like the one where I grew up. I don’t see myself going back to Western Canada—I love living in the United States and have been able to spend my career in great places—I’ve lived in Miami and Hawaii. When I uncovered Watch Hill, it did remind me of home. And the whole collection of Ocean House hotels enables me to step into an amazing group of properties. When you’re managing properties of 70 rooms, there are so many things you can do here that you cannot possibly do in a hotel with 300 or 400 rooms. We’ve got the opportunity to truly personalize the guest experience and make it exceptional. I feel that this organization and my own management style are a great fit.”

His plans as director have a focus that’s been honed by his unique lifelong connection to hospitality.

“Ocean House has already accomplished so much that I’m not about to reinvent the wheel here, but I want to take things that are great, and figure out how make them even better. The idea is to constantly try to get a little closer to perfection. It’s impossible to be perfect, which makes the process an infinite effort.”

He adds, “Hospitality is treating people well, and about personal relationships. My goal is to be the best leader I can be for the staff—we have 500 people working for Ocean House Collection—so that they can thrive in their jobs, make good decisions, and create those great memories that guests will write back to us about. It starts with me, with the employees feeling that support for their efforts, and then working to their highest potential. That’s the crucial factor to earn the stars and diamonds. And I know that energy resonates with our guests.”

Hospitality is treating people well, and about personal relationships. My goal is to be the best leader I can be for the staff...It starts with me, with the employees feeling that support for their efforts, and then working to their highest potential. That’s the crucial factor to earn the stars and diamonds.

Hirsch’s Do-Not-Miss List

As Ocean House and its sister properties move into the cooler months, and guests arrive to enjoy their amenities, Hirsch offers some ideas for things to underline.

Above: Gondola Village at Ocean House creates a warm and cozy setting for a meal.

Take a food and beverage tour Wherever we’ve traveled, my wife and I always try to check out the hotel’s venues and nearby restaurants and bars that look special or fun; we’ll have a meal, or drinks and appetizers. Ocean House has options throughout the property and sister properties, so sample as many of our venues as your stay can accommodate. Gondola Village for an intimate meal in a special setting is one— be on the lookout for a refreshed concept and French cuisine menu this year.

Check the events schedule Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn have wonderful activities centered around the holidays, and our team is constantly coming up with ideas to put a fresh spin on favorite events. Take advantage of one if you’re here between Thanksgiving and the New Year. There is plenty going on before

Above: Brunch with Santa is an annual tradition for many guests. Above: The original at Ocean House and a new OH! Spa at the Preserve is a luxurious oasis.

Enjoy some pampering The OH! Spa and its sister spa at The Preserve are ready for you, and you can book an appointment for your favorite treatment based on seasonal offerings. All of us at Ocean House Collection encourage you to make some great memories while you’re here.

Get out and about Our properties are full of surprises. Borrow a bicycle when it’s not too cold; roads are quiet in the shoulder season and the views are amazing. Or dress for the weather and take a refreshing walk. There are many ways to discover the area, and our staff will be happy to point them out.