S6. | E1. Appellation | Healdsburg, California | Christopher Hunsberger’s New Hotel Concept Is Curating Community And Culture Through Culinary And Craft Experiences

“When I'm traveling to a place where I look around, I can tell this is a popular place. This is a place that people like to go to, to hang out and to meet others. It feels like this place that I'm now coming to for the second or third time. That's really important to us, truly embracing community, becoming a place that's a gathering place for the community so that if you're there as an out-of-town guest, you're really feeling like a local. This is a place that locals want to be.”

We’re in great company with Christopher Hunsberger, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Appellation, where he brings together a new generation of hoteliers and culinarians, locals and travelers alike - to tell an innovative yet timeless tale in the world of hospitality, through the shared language of food, embracing what it means to be authentically local, nurturing community and culture through culinary and craft experiences.

More than 20 years ago, Christopher and his Co-Founder, Chef Charlie Palmer started working on their first hotel project together. Nearly five dozen hotels, 20 Michelin stars, and multiple James Beard Awards later, they decided to start a truly new type of hospitality company. One where culinary excellence, access to world-class artisans, and a sense of place aren’t just part of the guest experience, they are the guest experience.

As we celebrate the start of Season 6, Christopher gives us a taste of how Appellation is gathering the best artisans, growers and makers from across their future destinations, preparing to deliver exceptional and innovative guest experiences born of their distinct regions.  

Top Takeaways

[2:00] With a childhood immersed in the world of hospitality, Christopher continues to find great inspiration from his mother, while having spent his entire career building what would become Four Seasons, Christopher attributes much of his success to the culture of the people. 

[7:00] Little did Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger know when they first met 20 years ago, how far they would come, what awards would be given, what new opportunities would arise, and what they would create in collaboration today. 

[10:00] How Appellation is going beyond creating a “sense of place” by being students of the destination and being a part of the fabric of that community through their F&B experiences in “Crafted,” where they both source from and serve the local community.

[16:10] Appellation means “to give name to a place,” and while this was not the first name Christopher and Charlie came up with, it was the one that took hold for all they stood to create. 

[19:55] Expect a departure from your typical hotel experience when you arrive at an Appellation hotel, as they bring “the heart of the house forward” through interior design, experiential events and local interactions. 

[23:50] The focus on food extends beyond the lobby, from rooftop greenspaces and bars to event exhibition kitchens, from interactive outdoor cooking spaces to sprawling garden beds and orchards, from seasonal herb-based spa treatments to elevated pantries featuring fresh and local refreshments.

[33:05] Sustainability and stewardship are at the core of Appellation’s business beliefs, exchanging profit for prosperity when it comes to their social responsibility. 

[37:40] Christopher shares his steadfast opinion on and prediction of how technology plays a pivotal role in the world of hospitality to “let people be people.” 

[44:50] Appellation will first take root in California and Idaho, extending into other terroirs in time. 

[51:50] How Christopher hopes to “think global, act local” by gaining access and building relationships with Appellation’s global community, empowering his team to have candor when sharing their personal favorites and interests with guests. 

Notable Mentions

• Pigs & Pinot
• Seghesio Family Vineyards
• MIX Garden Materials

Visit For Yourself

• Appellation Website
• @appellationhotels 
• Crafted at Appellation on Tock