Robert Rouleau has been promoted General Manager at The Newbury Boston
The Newbury Boston, a luxury property managed by Highgate, announces the promotion of Robert Rouleau to General Manager of the iconic Back Bay hotel. Rouleau steps into the new role with a strong foundation, having most recently served as Hotel Manager since 2023.
In his elevated position, Rouleau will oversee all aspects of operations, strategy, and guest experience for the AAA Five-Diamond hotel. The Newbury Boston features 286 refined guest rooms and suites, The Street Bar, and Contessa—the celebrated rooftop restaurant designed by Major Food Group. As General Manager, Rouleau will drive innovation across service touchpoints, deepen the hotel's presence in the community, and lead a passionate team in delivering excellence for both local and international guests.
Rouleau joined The Newbury Boston in 2021 as Director of Food & Beverage, bringing more than two decades of hospitality experience to the property. He was then appointed Hotel Manager in 2023. Previously, Rouleau held a range of senior leadership positions at The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows, where he was instrumental in leading the food and beverage division, managing a team of 250, and overseeing multiple dining venues, banquet operations, and in-room dining. Prior to this, Rouleau held several other positions at The Beverly Hills Hotel, including Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Catering Sales; Director of Restaurants; Assistant Director of Food and Beverage, F&B Operations; Director of The Cabana Café and Pool; Bar Nineteen12 Department Head; and Beverage Manager.
A native of Massachusetts, Rouleau began his hospitality journey behind the bar before moving into management roles at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego and Indigo Grill, a concept by renowned chef Deborah Scott. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication from Westfield State University.
As The Newbury Boston continues to set the standard for luxury in the city, Rouleau's leadership marks a new chapter of refinement, service, and thoughtful innovation at one of Boston's most storied addresses.
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Additionally, the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act, or HONDA (S5257C/A6593B), that was signed into New York State law in June 2021 enables financially distressed hotels and office buildings to be permanently converted to affordable housing. Moreover, the Hotel Conversion Bill (S4937C/A6262B) was enacted in June 2022, allowing residential hotels with different building regulations (Class B hotels) located within residential zoning districts or within 400 feet of such districts to be converted to permanent residential units with their existing certificates of occupancy. Manhattan Market Forecast 2025–2029 Based on our analysis of the historical data, a review of the net new supply pipeline, the potential short-term impact of the current geopolitical factors and imposed tariffs, and the long-term outlook for demand growth, we have prepared the following forecasts for the Manhattan lodging market through 2029. Full Manhattan Recovery Expected to Be Delayed Until 2027/28— Source: HVS Manhattan New Supply Pipeline Anticipated to Contract After 2028 — Source: HVS Manhattan Occupancy, ADR & RevPAR Forecast to Stabilize in 2027/28— Source: HVS MetLife Stadium has been awarded eight tournaments for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as the World Cup final. MetLife Stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, roughly ten miles (by car) northwest of Manhattan. Given this location, the World Cup matches will be hosted jointly by New York City and New Jersey. The eight World Cup tournaments and the World Cup final are anticipated to substantially bolster leisure and tourism demand and ADR levels for the local area. Manhattan is expected to be particularly affected given the borough's direct access to/from northern New Jersey. The current geopolitical factors and the new administration's immigration policies may affect visitation for the matches in 2026; however, the level of impact remains to be seen. Strengthening demand and a constrained supply pipeline are expected to support continued ADR growth. Contributors to the anticipated demand growth include the sustained return of international leisure travelers, further gradual return of business travel, and stronger meeting and group activity. Occupancy is anticipated to reach the mid-to-high 80s by 2026/27, mirroring the market's performance in the decade prior to the pandemic. We have forecast occupancy to stabilize at 88.8% in 2029, modestly higher than the 2019 peak, given the restricted supply pipeline. Conclusion The Manhattan lodging market experienced extraordinary growth in the decade prior to 2020. During this period, demand growth was approximately 57%, which outpaced the 52% increase in supply. Occupancy levels were firmly established in the upper 80s during this period. However, the introduction of new guestroom inventory contributed to a decline in ADR from 2015 to 2017 and again in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the trajectory of Manhattan lodging performance and had severe effects on the market beginning in 2020. The market has been experiencing an accelerating recovery for the last three years, with growth primarily due to strong gains in average rate. The current geopolitical factors and the imposed tariffs and policy changes of the new administration, however, may affect room-night demand in the short term. The market is well positioned for continued economic success over the longer term, supported by a diverse base of employers, a robust tourism industry, and an expanded convention center, as well as multiple new and planned larger-scale, mixed-use developments. Occupancy levels should return to historical norms as global travel continues to strengthen and New York City remains a premier gateway destination. Finally, as the net new supply is absorbed through 2028 and the new supply pipeline contracts considerably, ADR increases are expected to strengthen, supporting the forecasted RevPAR growth. At HVS, we turn data into powerful insights that drive your success. Our unique methodology involves conducting primary interviews within local markets, capturing real-time insights and data. This ensures a deep understanding of each market we operate in, giving you a distinct competitive edge. When you partner with HVS, you gain access to the most current data, unlocking the nuances of local dynamics and empowering you to make confident, strategic decisions. For more information on the Manhattan lodging market or for help making informed investment decisions that align with your goals and risk tolerance, please contact your HVS New York City hospitality experts, Roland de Milleret, MAI, at (516) 209-7305 or Patricia Shih at (404) 791-5509. View source
