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Hills and her team devise the overall vibe before building a model room at or near the property they're working on. "We have conversations about everything," she says. "You want to make sure you're getting it right the first time, instead of getting it wrong multiple times. A lot of time, the model room is your study, so you build it and talk about what you do and don't like. It's like a TV set: You go into a fake corridor with a fake window, and you go into the room. It's fun." In her quest to allow for elements of finally took on her current position after Lambert left the company in 2019 and formed MML Hospitality. As the company grew, Hills became adept at partnering with the industry's best design and architecture firms, such as Lake | Flato. The team honed the elements that make Bunkhouse Bunkhouse: bold use of color, elements of neon, iconic lighting fixtures, and great art. Sticking to her motto of "You can't Google your way to good design," Hills spends hours at antique stores, flea markets, and fairs such as Round Top, looking for the right elements to make each hotel feel both classic and modern. "One thing that's a through line to me is that design looks timeless," she says. "We want to stay away from any element that could date us, especially in this world of Pinterest. I'm not saying all trends are bad — terrazzo floors will always be beautiful — but we're critical and make sure what we're doing doesn't feel like it will be dated in two years. We also design timelessly because it seems like the right thing to do for the planet. A lot of hotels have to remodel every two surprise and delight in each project, Hills is known to tweak details up to the 11th hour. Currently refining Houston's Hotel Daphne (opening fall 2025 in the Heights), Hills devotes equal time to fielding inquiries for future partnerships. It's her responsibility to make sure that Bunkhouse's role as a management company will be a perfect fit for each potential hotel the company takes on. "I'll have a conversation to see if it's the right budget and personalities," she says. "It needs to check all the boxes. The property needs to be in a neighborhood that resonates with our brand. We also like to have this community element; it's the literal core of who we are. We gravitate to old buildings, as they offer a lot." There are no average days on her job, yet Hills, a mother of two, relishes in the challenge. "If I don't know something, I'm going to figure it out," she says. Bunkhouse Hotels was recently acquired by Hyatt, which also acquired The Standard brand. This gives Bunkhouse additional resources to help their portfolio grow, as well as their number of Michelin Keys (they currently have four). For Hills, creating an excuse for travelers to explore a new location while solidifying Bunkhouse's authentic culture remains at the top of her creative wish list. "It's just a really fun world, and I'm glad I landed in it." years to keep it fresh; we want the design to be so good, it will stand the test of time." To achieve their version of luxury, Hills thinks through every step of a hotel guest's journey, from the soundtrack playing in the background to the ring that holds the toilet paper in the bathrooms. After speaking to the designers and architects for each project, 66 Austin Motel Bar Genevieve at Hotel Genevieve, Louisville NICK SIMONITE NICK SIMONITE Hotel Saint Augustine, Houston Bedroom and minibar at Hotel Saint Augustine, Houston Library at Hotel San Cristóbal, Baja Todos Santos landscape, Hotel San Cristóbal, Baja JULIE SOEFER JULIE SOEFER NICK SIMONITE NICK SIMONITE