A lush retreat
Landscaping, a pool and hot tub, shaded courtyards, and contemporary architecture are part of the proposed experience.
Hospitality. Architecture. Creative perspective.
Ionosphere Development Group
Gay-owned. Founder-led.
Thoughtful places.
Welcoming hospitality.
A gay-owned hospitality development company planning an independently owned and operated, 30–40-room boutique resort for men in Phoenix, Arizona—bringing together hands-on hotel operations, architectural thinking, and creative communications.
A Phoenix-area resort concept, in development
Our vision
A place to feel
at ease.
An independently owned and operated boutique resort in the Phoenix area, centered on gay men and welcoming gay, bisexual, queer, straight, and trans men age 21 and older.
Our vision starts with thoughtful service and a body-positive, consent-focused environment. As gay founders planning to own and run the resort, we want guests to feel welcomed, respected, and comfortable being themselves.
Connection & comfort
Welcoming social spaces and personal service, with private, screened clothing-optional areas envisioned for guests.
Safety, respect & belonging
Our goal is a safe, welcoming environment built around consent, clear guest conduct expectations, privacy, and attentive service. Screening for clothing-optional areas and thoughtful operational planning are central to that vision.
A resort for every season
With abundant sunshine and mild winters, Phoenix offers year-round appeal for a resort escape. Our concept pairs poolside relaxation with shaded spaces and indoor comfort for the intense summer heat.
Explore Phoenix’s seasonal weather (opens in a new tab)Project overview
The resort
we’re planning.
A boutique retreat with private clothing-optional outdoor spaces, wellness, and a social atmosphere connected to Phoenix’s LGBTQ community.
- Proposed scale
- 30–40 rooms
- Target average daily room rate
- $250–300
- Guest community
- Men, age 21+
Our current site search centers on convenient access to the Melrose District. We are exploring a seasonal pool, hot tub, café and bar, massage and facials, social spaces, and controlled day passes.
Room count and pricing are planning targets being tested through feasibility. We are comparing advisors’ scopes and fees to develop the financial model and investor materials.
Our team
Three perspectives.
One shared vision.
Our founders bring complementary experience to the work of planning a welcoming, independently operated resort.
Manuel Holguín
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Over 10 years of experience at Marriott properties, including front-office operations, night audit, guest services, and manager on duty responsibilities, paired with more than a decade in GIS, data management, and cross-functional projects.
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Manuel brings over 10 years of experience at Marriott properties and more than a decade of GIS, data management, and cross-functional project experience to Ionosphere Development Group.
Beginning his hospitality career in March 1999, Manuel worked at Scottsdale Marriott Suites Old Town from March 1999 to March 2000, Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale North from March 2001 to March 2002, and Old Town Suites again from March 2002 to March 2005. He then worked at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Phoenix Midtown from April 2009 to August 2014. These periods total 10 years and 4 months. His experience spans front-office operations, reservations, night audit, concierge services, housekeeping, maintenance coordination, guest services, room service, valet, and bell operations.
At Fairfield, he handled front-desk work and manager on duty responsibilities from the start, drawing on his earlier Marriott experience. Across more than five years, his responsibilities included balancing daily sales and room inventory, training employees across four departments, coordinating group arrivals and events, and resolving guest and billing concerns.
At Ionosphere, Manuel leads the hotel concept, operating model, guest experience, business development, and preopening coordination. He combines practical hotel knowledge with technical and organizational skills to guide the development of an independently operated, welcoming boutique resort.
Tom Perica
Co-Founder, Architecture & Development
Architecture, planning, and project management experience connecting the hospitality vision with practical design and development.
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Tom brings experience in architecture, planning, and project management to Ionosphere Development Group. His professional background includes work on complex facilities and involvement across the design and construction process, from early planning through construction documentation and administration.
At Ionosphere, Tom’s focus is translating the hospitality vision into a practical development plan. His architectural perspective helps the team evaluate potential sites, organize spaces around guest and operational needs, and coordinate with design and development consultants. He brings an understanding of how design decisions affect a project’s function, budget, and delivery.
Andre Gordon
Co-Founder, Brand & Communications
A multidisciplinary creative background in art direction, design, video, motion graphics, and architectural visualization.
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Andre brings a multidisciplinary creative background spanning art direction, graphic design, video production, motion graphics, and architectural visualization. His professional portfolio includes work for corporate, fashion, architecture, and nonprofit clients, including McKinsey & Company, Kate Spade New York, and HDR Architecture.
At Ionosphere, Andre’s focus is brand development, visual identity, and communications. He helps translate the team’s hospitality vision into clear, engaging materials for consultants, prospective partners, and future guests. His experience working across creative disciplines supports a consistent connection between the resort’s identity, its presentation, and the experience it aims to deliver.
Development approach
A considered path
from vision to place.
We aim to pair an inviting guest experience with a practical operating model, informed by careful evaluation and experienced advisors.
Evaluate the site & feasibility
Assess potential sites, development constraints, market needs, and financial feasibility before making project commitments.
Design around people
Consider guest comfort, privacy, accessibility, and everyday operations together as the design takes shape.
Plan how the resort will work
Develop service standards, staffing needs, and operating practices for an independently owned and operated property.
Collaborate with experience
Work with hospitality consultants, design professionals, and development collaborators to test assumptions and guide decisions.
Where we are today
The concept and founding team are established. We are evaluating a preferred site, testing feasibility, and comparing advisory scopes and pricing for investor-ready materials. Conceptual architectural renderings are being prepared alongside this work.
Phoenix boutique hotel development
Building the right
partnerships.
Ionosphere is advancing a differentiated boutique resort concept through disciplined feasibility, design, and operating planning.
We welcome preliminary conversations with prospective hotel investors, lenders, hospitality consultants, and development partners interested in boutique hospitality development in Phoenix, Arizona.
Our founder-led team combines hotel operations, architecture, project coordination, brand strategy, and local market knowledge. We are building relationships that can help test the concept, structure a responsible development plan, and move a promising independent resort from feasibility toward execution.
Prospective investment partners
Connect with hotel investors, lenders, and hospitality capital partners interested in a distinctive, independently operated Phoenix resort concept.
Hospitality & development advisors
Collaborate with feasibility specialists, hotel consultants, designers, builders, and other professionals who can strengthen the project.
Connect
Let’s discuss
what comes next.
We welcome conversations with hospitality consultants, development collaborators, and prospective investment partners who share an interest in thoughtful places and welcoming hospitality.
Send us a message
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