A good stepping stone - Associate HVS Employee Review

2.0
29 Jan 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- A good place to learn and get started in the industry - Great industry knowledge, client base, and alumni network - Get to work on a variety of hotels in different markets across the country - Diverse environment

Cons

- Work life balance is said to be prioritized but is not - The pay is not worth the amount of work hours invested - What can be described as a "big brother" environment where rumors and gossip tend to circulate among senior level staff - Management asks employees to write Glassdoor reviews during their time working there which tends to sway opinions out of fear of being discovered

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HVS Response
4y
Thank you for this review! I am sorry HVS wasn’t the right fit for you and that you did not stay with us to experience the evolutions we have made this year – great ones! Newly promoted leaders, newly hired team members, changes to compensation and perks, professional development programs, investments in technology, and more – HVS is always changing to make this a better place to be. HVS is fully staffed as of summer 2022, so we are not hiring at the moment, but when we do – this is a special place to start your career (and hopefully stay!). Many find their career passion in our Consulting and Valuation (C&V) office and have gone on to open and lead offices in cities across the country, several in just the past few years (2020 through 2022), and we have another opening in 2023. Associates are returning to us after a break (for one, to start a family, and for another, to work for a luxury hotel company) to rejoin C&V and our Asset Management divisions. We are also growing our Brokerage and Capital Markets divisions, and the future in these practices is so bright. If you are a candidate considering HVS, I welcome you with open arms to an affirming, loving, excellence-driven, accepting, LGBTQIA- and Latino co-owned company that is doing amazing things with fantastic people.

Explore other reviews about HVS

5.0
31 Dec 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great training for a start in the hotel industry. Great home for those looking to get out of hotel operations.

Cons

Extensive travel required and sometimes weekend work

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HVS Response
5mo
We’re proud of the strong foundation HVS was built on and grateful for the recognition of the training and career opportunities we continue to provide for those entering the hospitality industry. Its noted that travel and occasional weekend work can be part of the role, and it's true that our client‑focused work can be demanding at times. We remain committed to supporting our teams in managing balance while delivering high‑quality service. If you’re considering HVS, we have a number of opportunities posted on joinhvs.com and we’d be happy to share more about what a career here can look like. —Chelsey Leffet, Chief Operating Officer – U.S. Consulting & Valuation Division
3.0
21 Sept 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Excellent place to get started in hotel real estate - the training & exposure to a broad range of assignments is ideal to launch your career in hospitality finance & real estate. It is a great place to find a mentor & build your network within the industry. A start here makes you highly marketable to future employers - leave between year 2 and 5.

Cons

They will burn you out and underpay you/undervalue you. It is a place they will call you "family" but you will find yourself still cranking out appraisal models while sitting at the hospital bedside of your actual family (this happened to multiple employees). They will pander #hvsforlife & then lay off about 10 to 12 mid-senior level employees that range from 6 to 12 years of loyalty to save a dime. They also betrayed their senior-level Managing Directors & Partners, which is why they lost about half of them over the past several years. This firm lacks basic business ethics. This also applies externally. They will dangle the carrot in front of your face & burn you out until you have nothing left to give. If you must join this firm, then maintain firm boundaries & come in with a "take" attitude.

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HVS Response
9mo
We’re proud of the strong foundation we offer early-career professionals in hospitality real estate and appreciate the reviewer’s recognition of the training, mentorship, and exposure that HVS offers. It’s true that many of our alumni have gone on to do incredible things in hospitality real estate, and we’re proud to have played a role in their journey. Like many companies, difficult decisions had to be made following the pandemic. We strive to treat our team members with respect and transparency, even through unprecedented business conditions and times of change. Some of our team members decided to reflect on their future goals and reevaluate life plans during and following the pandemic, as well, and decided to leave. This was evident across all industries. To our reviewer, and the others who moved on, we’re grateful for the time they spent with us and wish all continued success. We have come out far ahead in the end, with the talented and vibrant group of consultants and staff we have today. We are continuously working to evolve and improve how we support one another (especially during challenging moments) and to ensure that our culture reflects the values we stand by, inclusive of integrity, empathy, and excellence. This work isn't for everyone, and we agree setting boundaries is critical at HVS, as it is at many other employers. Work can easily take over one’s life, and we encourage our team members to protect their personal time. We have boundaries on communication windows, and one can even have separate personal and work phones, with the latter being turned off after hours if that helps. We’ve made meaningful changes to our benefits structure, educational offerings, workload management, and leadership development programs over the past several years, and we continue to invest in the long-term health of our organization and our people. Our goal is to build a place where hospitality careers can thrive, whether that’s for two or thirty years. If you’re considering joining HVS, I’d be happy to share more. - Chelsey Leffet
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