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Born from an opportunity to welcome the growing numbers of tourists visiting Prince Edward Island, Rodd Hotels and Resorts dates back nearly a century. What started with a few small cottages evolved into a hospitality portfolio of seven properties throughout the Maritimes. Still a family-owned business, Rodd Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest privately-held hotel chains in Atlantic Canada.
Early check-in
It all began in 1935 as tourism started to spread to Prince Edward Island. At the time, there were few places for visitors to stay on the island. When Wally and Sally Rodd noticed an influx of cars with unfamiliar license plates driving past their property, they saw an opportunity. On a whim, they decided to build three cottages next to their home on the family farm and opened their doors to travelers exploring the island.
Their cottages near the water attracted guests who then returned with friends, and news of the quaint vacation rentals quickly spread. Wally and Sally had unexpectedly found a new passion. So, they shifted focus from their family farm to go all-in on building a hospitality business.
Booking up
The 1950s marked the beginning of Rodds’ expansion from seasonal cottage rentals to a year-round tourism operation. In 1954, they built their first motel, The Motel Charlottetown in West Royalty, P.E.I., a 16-unit property.
Wally and Sally’s son, David, joined them in business in 1966 and led the family operation through further growth. In 1972, he acquired the Parkview Motel in Moncton, N.B., to expand off the island. A few years later, he renovated and expanded their motel in Charlottetown, which was renamed The Rodd Motor Inn. The 1980s were a decade of major growth. Rodd acquired two properties in Nova Scotia, and the historic Charlottetown Hotel in his home province. He also expanded the family business portfolio to include resorts, opening Rodd Brudenell River Resort and Rodd Mill River Resort on P.E.I. This era marked the beginning of the Rodd Hotels & Resorts brand.
Growth continued throughout the next couple of decades. The Rodd Brudenell River Resort had multiple expansions, adding hotel rooms, cottages, a restaurant, a conference centre and more. The brand acquired a lodge in Miramichi in the late ‘90s and opened Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort in 2001.
In 2010, the third generation took over when David’s son Mark became president and CEO of the family business.
Extended stay
Today, Rodd Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest privately-owned hotel chains in Atlantic Canada with seven properties across Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. As the business approaches 100 years, Mark Rodd reported in a Q&A that the future is bright for the family business, with plans to continue to invest in existing properties and expand as opportunities arise.
Note: A representative of Rodd Hotels & Resorts was unavailable for an interview; the above article is based on third-party research.
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