R+W Naturals: Rob Blood
Nostalgia is woven into the fabric of human experience, a powerful force that draws us back to cherished moments, familiar comforts, and the places that shape our sense of belonging. In a world that moves ever faster, the longing for the warmth of memory and the reassurance of the past has become a quiet refuge.
The American Inn holds a unique place in the nation’s collective memory, especially for families who traveled the highways in the 1950s and beyond. During this golden age of road trips, inns and motels became essential waypoints for families exploring the country by car. They were more than just convenient places to sleep; they became touchstones of childhood, representing adventure, comfort, and the simple joys of family travel. The experience of pulling off the highway and settling into a cozy inn was a universal part of growing up, anchoring shared stories and the optimism of the open road.
“Hospitality, at its best, is an act of storytelling—and Lark Hotels, under the creative leadership of Rob Blood, has reimagined the classic inn experience for today’s traveler by blending nostalgia and comfort with a forward-thinking commitment to sustainability. ”
Hospitality, at its best, is an act of storytelling—and Lark Hotels, under the creative leadership of Rob Blood, has reimagined the classic inn experience for today’s traveler by blending nostalgia and comfort with a forward-thinking commitment to sustainability. Breathing new life into historic properties, each Lark hotel preserves the emotional resonance of the past while physically transforming these spaces to meet the needs of the modern guest. In making something new out of something old, Lark Hotels turns every stay into a journey through memory and a celebration of what’s possible when heritage and innovation meet.
Rob Blood’s journey into hospitality began at age 28 with the purchase of his first inn in Kennebunkport, Maine—a bold leap that laid the foundation for a career defined by vision, grit, and a hands-on approach. Nearly two decades later, Rob is at the helm of Lark Hotels, a collection of over 50 distinctive boutique properties and several restaurants across the United States. Since formally founding Lark Hotels in 2012, Rob has become a recognized leader in the industry, known for his passion for design-driven hotels that honor their locations and evoke a deep sense of nostalgia through unique guest experiences.
Rob Blood by Sasha Israel
In R+W Naturals, we connect with extraordinary people making waves in sustainability, art, design, architecture, gastronomy, wellness, and wildlife — from travel and hospitality industry icons to acclaimed architects, designers, influential artists, forward-thinking musicians, boundary-pushing chefs and visionary explorers. We spoke with Rob about his personal connection to nostalgia, his approach to designing with a renewed sense of place, and how he’s ultimately reinventing the American Inn experience.
R+W: Before Lark, there was a huge gap in the US market for boutique hotels. How did you envision the brand standing out from other accommodations at the time?
RB: At the time, we recognized the long-standing tradition of hospitality in New England, but felt it had become somewhat dated and often out of touch with what travelers truly wanted. Think doilies, lace, and porcelain dolls on every bed, with innkeepers who listed rules rather than created experiences. We believed that by delivering design with an updated sense of place, offering genuine, eye-to-eye hospitality, and selecting exceptional locations, we could create something special that would resonate with the modern traveler. There was also an opportunity to elevate the level of sophistication in properties that were often owner-operated, and we wanted to bring that vision to life.
“ We believed that by delivering design with an updated sense of place, offering genuine, eye-to-eye hospitality, and selecting exceptional locations, we could create something special that would resonate with the modern traveler. ”
R+W: Can you tell us about the first property you purchased? What were the challenges, the lessons, the wins?
RB: The Captain Fairfield Inn, a nine-room property in Kennebunkport, Maine, was my first hotel acquisition. Now part of the Kennebunkport Captains Collection, this inn was purchased under severe capital constraints and needed to generate immediate cash flow, as it was 100% leveraged. Hands-on management allowed for low operating costs and gave us the freedom to experiment with guest experience and design. Unknowingly at the time, Captain Fairfield became the "test kitchen" for future Lark hotels, and the lessons learned from operating this small inn continue to shape our current practices.
“Lark was founded on the idea that your next great vacation can be rooted in nostalgia. This may seem unusual, but it’s based on personal experience.”
R+W: Nostalgia is often described as the ultimate source of comfort and connection. Could you elaborate on how Lark brings nostalgia into the future?
RB: Lark was founded on the idea that your next great vacation can be rooted in nostalgia. This may seem unusual, but it’s based on a personal experience I had over 20 years ago. I was on a sailing charter with my family in the BVI and had to leave early for work. On my way home, I was already nostalgic for the amazing experience I’d shared with my family. I longed to return, and in fact, I learned to sail and chartered boats in the BVI for the next seven years. Nostalgia, as you can see, is a powerful force. At Lark, we strive to create experiences that foster an emotional connection to the stay. We achieve this by allowing our guests’ experiences to unfold organically and unscripted-we provide access to experiences both at our hotels and within the surrounding communities. A hotel can be simply a place to stay, but it can also be so much more.
“At Lark, we strive to create experiences that foster an emotional connection to the stay. We achieve this by allowing our guests’ experiences to unfold organically and unscripted-we provide access to experiences both at our hotels and within the surrounding communities. A hotel can be simply a place to stay, but it can also be so much more.”
R+W: The interiors at Lark Hotels are a key part of the guest experience. Can you walk us through your design process for creating spaces that feel like a home away from home? How do you bring that sense of comfort and warmth to locations that are often deeply immersed in natural surroundings?
RB: When developing hotels, we take a very close look at the overall market and the specific neighborhood where the property is located. We study the history of the building, its past identities, and its current use. That connection to neighborhood, to history, and to people-the grit and the beauty-is what fuels a memorable experience. We imagine what’s going to happen next in that market and try to figure out what void we will be filling. Eventually, our process unveils a unique identity for each location, and from there we create a design direction, brand touchpoints, and a service culture that complement the story. Every aspect of the hotel needs to relate back to this narrative-this is what makes people connect emotionally with an experience, rather than just appreciate a comfortable bed or fast wireless internet. It’s what separates our hotels from generic big box hotels and gives us soul. Our interiors are always reflective of their locations and often inspired by the natural surroundings.
“Our process unveils a unique identity for each location, and from there we create a design direction, brand touchpoints, and a service culture that complement the story. Every aspect of the hotel needs to relate back to this narrative-this is what makes people connect emotionally with an experience.”
R+W: The Great American Road Trip has been a timeless experience for many. How has Lark redefined this journey through its unique approach to inns?
RB: From the outset, we have sought out properties and partners in drive-to destinations and aimed to raise the standard of hospitality, design, and experience in those spots. There’s nothing more fun than piling into the car with your partner and setting out on an epic adventure; what we hope is that at the end of that adventure is a Lark hotel, where we can help convey access to our neighborhoods and provide an exceptional stay experience.
“There are thousands of outdated motels around the country, and we love the lifeblood and history that has run through them. Our general philosophy is that when we invest in restoring a landmark in a community, it brings people together and creates opportunities for the communities in which the property exists. ”
R+W: Lark is known for breathing new life into old motels. Can you discuss the concept of regenerative hospitality and how Lark incorporates it into its properties?
RB: What’s better than bringing an old memory-maker back to life? There are thousands of outdated motels around the country, and we love the lifeblood and history that has run through them. Our general philosophy is that when we invest in restoring a landmark in a community, it brings people together and creates opportunities for the communities in which the property exists. Further, the benefit of restoring rather than replacing is that it reduces the environmental impact of a construction project by reusing many legacy materials.
R+W: What has been the most challenging property to re-imagine? What has been the most inspirational?
RB: When you work with historic properties, there are always challenges, but the most challenging circumstances often turn out to be the most inspirational outcomes. When we acquired the historic Surf Hotel on Block Island, RI, we had a clear vision for how the project would go and how quickly it would be completed. This was about six years ago, and we’re still going. Between the permitting challenges on a small island and the logistics of off-season construction, our timeline expanded. However, the project evolved in a much more organic way, and we were able to adapt our vision to meet the wants of our guests.
R+W: Inclusion is a key value at Lark, welcoming everyone from families with kids to travelers with dogs. How do you foster such a welcoming, inclusive environment?
RB: This won’t surprise you, but it’s really all about the people at Lark. We look for and attract people with a hospitality soul. We want to take care of people and create unforgettable, life-affirming experiences for everyone we come in contact with.
R+W: Many of your hotels are situated in scenic, outdoor-rich locations and cater to the active traveler. How do you strike the right balance between offering luxury amenities and showcasing the natural environment?
RB: We hope that all of our hotels reflect the surrounding environment, whether that be a bustling colonial city or a wooded mountain enclave. Our design and attention to detail around amenities and comfort is inspired by everything that is happening around the hotel. However, regardless of the natural environment and surroundings, we always want our guests to feel like they can retreat to the comfort of their own private sanctuary. So in the rooms, we focus on pampering people with plush linens and robes, great bath products, and all the luxuries one should expect in an exceptional hotel.
Room + Wild is the world's first and leading collective and platform for landscape-enhanced accommodation, ecotourism, nature-based destinations, and sustainable luxury travel experiences. We consistently inspire, influence, and spread awareness through our tailored travel guides, curated media content/channels, brand activations, press trips as well as visual and narrative storytelling.