Back in 1970, Richard Kessler became real estate developer Cecil Day’s right hand man, at just 23 years old, when they both helped found Days Inn of America. He spent the next five years working diligently, leading five estate developments and operational companies which prepared him to become the president and CEO of Days Inn. One year later, he became the chairman at 29 years old and in the 1980s, he opened a separate division dedicated to boutique hotels with a property in Savannah, Georgia and another in Orlando, Florida.

The Days Inn chain was sold in 1984 and Kessler introduced his new independent venture, The Kessler Enterprise, Inc., which he still runs today as president and CEO. His main goal at the time was to break into the development of his own boutique hotels. The name “Bohemian” was inspired by the Bohemian Club in California and it provides an experience for guests and visitors to step away from the usual. It invites them to feed into their curiosity by embracing the European Bohemian Lifestyle as an unconventional wandering gypsy with a healthy dose of funky California spirit. This ambience can be felt in each hotel, where guests are encouraged to give into temptation and let their creativity come out to play.

In April 2010, the Marriott International Inc., Autograph Collection made its debut with seven Kessler Collection properties. Today, there are a total of 9 properties in The Kessler Collection, including Casa Monica Resort & Spa, St. Augustine, Florida; Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Florida; Bohemian Hotel Celebration, Orlando, Florida; Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, North Carolina; Beaver Creek Lodge, Colorado; Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, Georgia; Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia; Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston, South Carolina and Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, Alabama. However, the collection is still growing and three new Grand Bohemian properties are coming soon in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia and Greenville, South Carolina.