Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaby Aziz.
Hi Gaby, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The idea for what is now Heart Core Hotels came amidst the George Floyd protests. My co-founder Tony and I started brainstorming how we can promote the message of kindness and tolerance, and naturally settled on what we knew best: travel. We created a planet-friendly mission-driven hotel company and a sister nonprofit – Heart Core Fund – aka travel scholarships for kids who never traveled before.
Through the latter, we are currently in the process of organizing yet another trip for inner city LA youth who will soon enjoy a complimentary stay at our Palm Springs hotel. The idea is that traveling acts as a bridge between cultures, broadens horizons, opens minds, and shows that we all in fact have the same hopes and dreams, despite our differences. Every stay at Heart Core Hotels contributes to the Heart Core Fund. Someone once called me the Travel Robinhood which is kind of accurate – we create luxury hotel experiences at premium prices for our discerning guests, then a part of it goes to those who don’t get to travel at all.
In addition, our hotels are minimum footprint, plant based and genuinely eco conscious (no “greenwashing” here!). We aim to promote mindful tourism that benefits both our guests and the host communities. My mission is to take Heart Core Hotels and Heart Core Fund global and make them known as LA-born household names synonymous with travel as a force for good.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all… First of all, we didn’t come from hospitality background. We had to learn everything we know today on the go. I even went back to grad school and got a certificate in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management from Cornell’s renowned hospitality school.
Though at the end of the day, we always laughed that you can teach hotel/tourism management but you can’t teach hospitality – you either got it or you don’t. Hosting people is one of my absolute favorite things to do in life, so the brand is just a natural extension of who I am. In fact, I’m currently in the process of organizing an LA-based supper club with world cuisines-themed dinners (inspired by my passion project – Around the World in 80 Flavors food travel blog). Watch this space!
Another major drawback was opening our first hotel in Hawaii in the middle of the pandemic. We took a total leap of faith, and it paid off big time. We really were a place of respite. So many people from LA and Silicon Valley came to stay with us to work remotely during that time.
Finally, the biggest blow came when my co-founder Tony and I parted ways, in life and in business. Because of that we’re currently selling both Hawaii and Coachella Valley hotels and I will be starting over in a new location. Stay tuned for Heart Core 2.0!
We’ve been impressed with Heart Core Hotels, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Heart Core Hotels are boutique eco luxury hotels where green is the new black. Or, as we like to say, where kind is the new cool. There are so many hip design hotels out there. We’re all that – and more! Stay tuned for a new location to be announced shortly.
Through Heart Core Fund we are on a mission to spread kindness – for each other and the planet – through mindful travel. We’re always looking for exciting LA based nonprofits to team up with for the next trip, and for volunteers! You can learn more at heartcorefund.org
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Let’s start with what I like the least as that’s an easy one – driving! I’m a European used to taking public transit and I only recently got my drivers license. I still haven’t been on the 405…
As for what I like best… I really grew to love Los Angeles and it was mostly thanks to the people. In a sprawling metro area comprising of 88 separate cities, it takes a very resilient and passionate bunch to stick together. It really shows in moments like the recent fires. It truly is the City of Angels. I also love the nature, the proximity of state and national parks and all the hiking trails. In addition, my rescue chihuahua Sushi and I love how dog friendly the city is with all its excellent dog parks and dog friendly restaurants.
And speaking of restaurants, I love the food. I think LA is one of the world’s most underrated and most misunderstood foodie destinations. It’s not about the fine dining here, though those venues are of course world class. To me, LA is all about the street tacos, the humble pupuserias of El Salvador Corridor, mom n pop joints in Filipinotown, San Gabriel Valley dim sum crawls, East LA burritos, Ktown bbqs, sushi in Gardena, Sawtelle noodle bars, khachapouri in Glendale’s Armenian bakeries, Northern Thai finds in East Hollywood… I could keep going! I’m currently starting a new project for my food travel blog – working my way through the late Jonathan Gold’s list of LA’s top 101 restaurants. Dining buddies welcome!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartcorehotels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgabyaziz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamgabyaziz/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabyaziz/
- Twitter: https://heartcorefund.org/
- Other: https://eightyflavors.com/
Image Credits
Gaby Aziz
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