celebrating our second century
Meet The Makers

The Makers

Made-to-order furniture. Locally-sourced wine and spirits. The world’s finest culinary destinations. Join us as we search the globe, and our own backyard, to uncover the people behind the products and experiences that set AKA apart from the most luxurious accommodations around the world. Join us as we discover The Makers.

Atelier AKA F+B

Atelier AKA F+B is an innovative food and beverage consultancy, in collaboration with our team and the world’s most compelling and distinguished chefs and restauranters, to create, develop, and operate new food and beverage concepts for AKA’s growing portfolio.

THE ARTISANS

AKA’s properties go far beyond a normal hotel or home. These are inspiring spaces that showcase some of the world’s finest interior design and furnishings. AKA is proud to work closely with artisan designers from around the world who share our vision for how enriching a residential space can be. Learn more about the celebrated artisans we work with, and then book a stay at AKA and discover how remarkable a superior living experience can be. 

THE TASTEMAKERS

AKA’s legendary approach to flexible-stay lodging is unique. Comfortably stay a week or many months; and for meals: stay in and cook in your fully-equipped apartment kitchen or dine at one of AKA’s soulful, of-the-moment restaurants. Our philosophy has always been to thoughtfully assemble a group of leading restaurant owners and chefs and let them create authentic experiences that speak to our specific locations and current dining landscape. No generic hotel restaurants here!

THE DISTILLERS

Recently we visited the supplier of our a. vod vodka – Philadelphia Distilling. Philadelphia Distilling is the first craft distillery in Pennsylvania since Prohibition! Opened in 2005, they’re only 12 years old, but have already staked out a reputation for award-winning spirits! While best known for their Bluecoat Gin (and the bright blue bottles) we asked them to make vodka for our properties.

THE WINEMAKERS

While we are most definitely fans of the cocktail, especially drinks mixed with our very own a. vod vodka, we also appreciate well-made artisanal wine, either as an aperitivo or with a meal. AKA’s president Larry Korman, who resides in Fort Washington, PA, also happens to live adjacent to one of Pennsylvania’s finest wineries, Karamoor Estate Wines, and we have been able to partner with Karamoor, its owners Nick and Athena Karabots, and winemaker Kevin Robinson, to bottle several cuveés of their refined wines for use at AKA around the country. We made two visits to the estate, one in the summer to meet the Karabots and tour the beautiful farm, and second, in October to participate in the harvest and watch the initial phases of winemaking.

THE FILMMAKERS

AKA has a deeply-rooted passion for film and over the years has developed strong relationships with entertainment industry insiders who have come to depend on the brand when traveling for an extended period of time. In 2017, building upon its longstanding partnerships with Tribeca Film Festival, BAFTA Los Angeles, and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and Philadelphia Film Society, AKA launched a.films, a new division of the AKA brand. Inspired by stories of everyday citizens, a.films was developed with the goal of producing carefully selected works that highlight the efforts of individuals going against the grain to help mankind.