Name: Dan Donahue
Title: President
Company, City: Saunders Hotel Group; Boston, Mass.
Number of employees: 425
Recent project: Acquiring the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro
First job: I worked as a cashier, dishwasher and soda jerk.
Little-known fact about you: I attended seminary and nearly became a priest.
Your Business
What innovations/initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next years? Guests will increasingly use their devices to access guestrooms, creating smoother, faster check-in and entry experiences. Technology will continue to evolve, but the personal touch remains central to hospitality. Even with automated conveniences, attentive staff and thoughtful service will define exceptional stays.
Best career advice you’ve received: Don’t manage a hotel only from behind a desk. Spending time in operations—on the floor, in the kitchen, at the front desk—gives you the insight needed to lead effectively and make better decisions for guests and staff.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field? Be passionate about caring for people. Genuine hospitality and a desire to make others comfortable are the foundations of a long and rewarding career in this industry.
Dan Donahue as a Traveler
Favorite travel memory or story: A childhood family road trip stands out: packed into the family station wagon with a houseful of siblings, spending the night at a Howard Johnson’s, swimming in the pool and enjoying my mother’s meatloaf sandwiches. Those simple moments of togetherness and comfort shaped my earliest travel memories.
One travel tip you cannot live without: Book directly with the hotel whenever possible. Direct bookings often provide more flexibility and better options for special requests and loyalty benefits.
Best advice for business travelers: Be open to alternatives beyond major chains. Programs like collaborative independent-hotel networks can offer valuable rewards and distinctive stays that rival large loyalty programs.
About Saunders Hotel Group
Tell our readers about The Lenox Hotel. The Lenox is a family-owned boutique property located on a lively corner of Boston’s Back Bay. We prioritize community and people, and that commitment is visible in everything we do. Local partnerships—like a beekeeper who maintains hives on our roof and supplies honey for our chef—illustrate our approach to hospitality. We take pride in reflecting the city and fostering authentic connections between guests, staff and neighbors.
Share some of the hotel’s history. Opened in 1900 by hotelier Lucius Boomer, known for his association with New York’s Waldorf Astoria, The Lenox quickly became an important part of Boston society. The building’s legacy is reflected in its architecture and traditions, but it’s the people who bring that history to life—bellmen, housekeepers and long-serving staff carry stories and institutional knowledge that shape the guest experience.
What can premium travelers expect from a stay at The Lenox? Premium guests can expect attentiveness, consistency and an experience designed to be memorable. We charge a premium because we deliver a level of service and detail that meets high expectations. Guests may not recall every specific feature of their stay, but they will remember how they felt—welcomed, cared for and delighted by thoughtful touches throughout their visit.