What if the career sweet spot is at a small, but nimble, hotel brand?

In the race to attract top hospitality talent, mid-size hotels are quietly pulling ahead. While the glamour of big-name luxury brands or the scrappiness of boutique hotels has long dominated job-seekers’ wish lists, the in-betweeners (hotels with around 100 to 300 rooms) offer a new, undeniable sweet spot.

At One Haus, we’re seeing a surge in demand for roles at these properties, and it’s no mystery why. Mid-size hotels offer a rare combination of growth potential, creative freedom, and hands-on leadership — a combination that’s hard to find.

Here’s why hospitality professionals are increasingly setting their sights on mid-size hotels and hotel groups… and why you might want to do the same.

1. Room to Grow (Without Getting Lost in the Crowd)

In large hotel groups, career advancement can sometimes feel like climbing a very tall, very crowded ladder… that no one ever seems to get off. By contrast, mid-size hotels often operate with leaner teams, giving employees more visibility and more opportunities to step up. 

By contrast, at a mid-size hotel, you’re more likely to be a key player. While it’s true that you may take on more responsibilities and have a leaner team to rely on, you’re also more likely to have a direct line to decision-makers. Show that you’re a team player with strong ideas and a promotion won’t feel too far off. 

We see it all the time. From sous chefs moving into executive roles, to front desk agents taking on operations management, the upward mobility is real — and it can be quite fast.

Plus, many mid-size hotels are part of growing portfolios or family-owned groups that are actively expanding. If you get in on the ground floor, you could be next in line for a leadership role at a new sister property.

2. Flexibility Fuels Innovation

Mid-size hotels live in that perfect space between structure and flexibility. They often have enough resources to support ambitious ideas, without the need to run it through layers of corporate approval.

This agility means these properties can pivot quickly — whether that’s launching pop-up experiences with local chefs, rebranding underperforming outlets with refreshed identities, or rapidly shifting toward bleisure-friendly amenities as guest expectations evolve.

For hospitality professionals who crave creativity and want to see their ideas come to life, mid-size hotels can be the perfect sandbox. Want to pilot a sustainability initiative? Launch a signature cocktail series? Design a new F&B program with offerings from local farms? There’s more room to play — and more trust from leadership to make it happen.

3. Culture You Can Feel — and Influence

Culture isn’t built in boardrooms — it’s lived on the floor, in back-of-house, and in the way teams support one another every day. Mid-size hotels often strike the perfect balance: large enough to offer structure, but small enough to retain a family-like atmosphere.

You’ll often find GMs who know everyone’s name, executive chefs who mentor junior kitchen staff, and owners who drop in regularly and listen. It can be an environment where initiative is noticed, loyalty is rewarded, and contributions feel personal.

And because these hotels are usually in growth mode, employees have a real hand in shaping the culture as the brand seizes its big-time opportunity to expand. If you value inclusion, collaboration, or wellness, mid-size hotels are often more receptive to incorporating those values into the workplace DNA.

The Bottom Line

Mid-size hotels are no longer the "in-between" choice. Instead, they can represent the ideal blend of stability, opportunity, and creativity for hospitality professionals who are looking to grow their careers, make an impact, and be part of something dynamic.

At One Haus, we work with some of the most exciting mid-size hotels in the country — from emerging boutique brands to regional groups that are going national. If you’re ready to find your next opportunity in a space where your talent can truly shine, we’d love to connect. 

Browse our open jobs here, or get in touch any time to build a direct connection.