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      HVS

      Engaged employer

      HVS reviews

      Poor Company Culture, Masked as a place where Opinions are Valued - Analyst HVS Employee Review

      1.0
      25 Jun 2022
      Analyst
      Recommend
      CEO approval
      Business outlook

      Pros

      I worked at HVS for a couple of years prior to the pandemic. While some of the people in my office were kind, the company-wide culture and work environment are extremely lacking. From a Pros standpoint, you’ll gain decent hotel valuation skills. But you can also learn a lot of that by working in companies with much more positive and healthy environments.

      Cons

      Micro-management and autocratic management style, especially from the person responsible for training new employees. Despite many complaints, no changes were made to improve training methods and the overall experience for new comers, analysts and associates. This is one of the reasons the company has a high rate of employee turnover. Gossip is rampant across people is senior roles (why is spying on employees and spreading information to management part if the culture?). This is something I had never experienced in previous jobs, nor in my current role. It creates a juvenile and emotionally challenging environment for people that just want to stay out of the drama and do their jobs. Poor work-life balance — and this is coming from someone that doesn't mind working long hours. If you’re asked to take on a new project while you’re inundated with work, and try to voice that you are at capacity, you immediately get labeled as “lazy” and become the subject of gossip across the company, which goes back to my above comment. This is another reason why people tend to not stick around past the 2 year mark, with a couple of exceptions. We are told that health and family come first but really when it comes down to it, everyone learns to just accepts the assignments until they crack. Note that the CEO asks most people to submit Glassdoor reviews while they are working at the company. Would anyone dare be honest out of fear of losing their job?

      avatar
      HVS Response
      3y
      HVS is a great place for many, but won’t be the right long-term fit for everyone. Our training program, which is now a team of four caring, patient, and wonderful Vice Presidents and Directors (not just one person, which is how we had it designed many years ago), coupled with extraordinary editors, is amazing. If you are considering our industry, you simply can’t find a better training ground. We have associates that started four to five years ago (around or perhaps a little after you did) that are now leading/running their offices in markets such as Nashville and Tampa (there are others), and we are soon to open in Salt Lake City with a rising leader that began her career here three to four years ago (about when you did). To find your passion in our Consulting and Valuation (C&V) Division, we are seeking candidates that have a love for analysis, writing, and working with team members and clients. There is A LOT of instruction in the beginning, so you have to be willing to work your way through that and be open to feedback and feedforward. It’s not always an easy road, and we hold very high standards. If the longer-term C&V path isn’t for you, HVS offers great opportunities in Asset Management, Brokerage, and Capital Markets. We had an associate leave HVS a couple of years ago to work for a luxury hotel company, and just returned in our Los Angeles office to join our Asset Management practice. We had an associate in our Tampa and Houston offices join Capital Markets and Brokerage, respectively, as well. We had an associate in Chicago leave to start a family, and is now returning this fall part-time because she missed HVS so much. If a long-term future in one of our divisions doesn’t end up being a fit, HVS is a great springboard into the industry or beyond. We welcome associates to make HVS their home for two years, five years, or fifty – each associate’s goals are different, and everyone’s story is different. I’m sorry your story wasn’t a stellar one here – I wish I and we could have made it better for you. We are always changing, improving, and growing – so the HVS you experienced is well in the rear view mirror – I love that about HVS, we are always evolving and making this an extraordinary place to be. 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
      Founder
      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

      avatar
      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.

      avatar
      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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