Michael James

Michael James is currently the President and COO of Hospitality Partners, and Managing Partner of the Carousel Group. With over 35 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry, Michael has managed a wide array of hotels, both independent and franchise, including Sheraton, Guest Quarters Suites, Embassy Suites, Doubletree and Marriott. With the company’s acquisition of the famed Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condominiums, Michael was named Managing Partner in the spring of 2000. For the next several years he led the restoration and repositioning of this Maryland landmark following several turbulent years for the Carousel prior to Hospitality Partner’s acquisition.

In 2011, Michael was instrumental in expanding the Carousel Groups resort presence as a partner in the purchase and repositioning of the Atlantic Oceanfront Inn and Coastal Palms Beach Hotel. Michael grew the company further in 2013 with the addition of Bonita Beach Hotel, and again in 2014 with Crystal Beach Oceanfront Hotel. In late 2015, Tidelands Caribbean Oceanfront Hotel & Suites was added as the sixth Carousel Group Hotel, and in 2019 Cayman Hotel & Suites became the newest addition to the group. Hospitality Partners also manages four hotels in Virginia, one in Chevy Chase, MD., and one near Baltimore.

Michael currently Chairs the Ocean City Economic Development Committee, is a member of both the Ocean City Tourism Commission and Tourism Advisory Board, and a member and former Chairman of the Maryland Tourism Development Board. Michael previously served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and The United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, and formerly served nine years on the Board of Trustees for Atlantic General Hospital.