Lori Rabon, Vice President, Nassau Inn & Palmer Square

Lori Rabon, Vice President of Nassau Inn, spoke with Invest: about the hotel’s historic and contemporary role in the iconic college town of Princeton. “Nassau Inn has always sat at the heart of Palmer Square and is the center of the downtown community. Our doors are always open, with the beautiful town Green as our front lawn. The relationships we build with our guests are lifelong.”

Over the past year, what internal or market changes have had the greatest impact on the Nassau Inn?

There’s a bit of uncertainty right now. We have good news and bad news economically, and we aren’t quite sure where we are landing. We are trying to stay flexible on rates and work within our clients’ budgets. We have some competition in the Princeton region, and we have to yield rates and play to our strengths. Pharmaceuticals and educational institutions have been affected by regulations and changes to tax structures, and all of that has affected group meetings, corporate travel, and personal events such as weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and family reunions. As an independent entity, we have the flexibility to make adjustments quickly. We aren’t a branded, corporate hotel that has to align with other hotels across the country. We can customize our offerings to fit the season, the occasion, and the budget. With 188 guest rooms, a restaurant, and 12 versatile meeting spaces totaling 10,000 square feet, we offer the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience. 

How has the broader New Jersey hospitality landscape evolved, and how has Nassau Inn adapted to these shifts?

The Pandemic was a challenging time, and the hospitality industry was hit particularly hard. Even so, we recovered, and 2023–2024 were strong years. We are seeing a shortened timeline in terms of bookings. Some customers don’t know if they have funds to spend until six or eight weeks out. Some of the longer-term programming and bookings have changed as companies wait to confirm funding.

How would you describe the state of New Jersey’s hospitality and tourism industry, and what broader trends are shaping its trajectory?

Right now, we’re seeing strong interest in micro-weddings and smaller, more intimate events. The consumer is more price-conscious and rarely book without doing their research. Especially on the leisure side, choices are driven by destination amenities and nearby attractions. We are fortunate enough to have an abundance of activities nearby for our guests, and we are developing itinerary pages to be included on our website to highlight those options. 

Nassau Inn has long been a historic landmark in Princeton. How do you balance preserving tradition with introducing modern amenities and services?

We are a traditional, historic hotel that dates back to 1756. We are part of Historic Hotels of America and woven into the history of Palmer Square and Princeton. We are introducing sustainability measures like a green linen program and eco-friendly in-room amenities. We don’t worry so much about being modern. Our rooms reflect our goal of comfort and tradition. 

Technology continues to reshape the guest experience. How are you adopting new tools such as AI, mobile apps, or smart-room features to enhance services?

We will never have phones answered by a machine as we feel personalized service is key and non-negotiable. The relationships we build with our guests are lifelong. Our clients, including families of students at local institutions, stay with us year after year. Across generations, they want—and get—the same high-touch, human service.

How does Nassau Inn collaborate with local businesses and institutions, including Princeton University and Palmer Square? 

Nassau Inn has always sat at the heart of Palmer Square and is the center of the downtown community. Our doors are always open, with the beautiful town Green as our front lawn. I have served on numerous boards for nonprofits, including the Experience Princeton board. We take part in a number of community campaigns, such as the Show Your Bows initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we partner with Princeton University, Princeton Battlefield Society, and Morven Museum and Gardens. Without these partners, we don’t survive. The community and our partnerships are essential to us. 

What broader regional trends, such as urban revitalization, sustainability, or event-driven tourism, are shaping the future of the industry in New Jersey?

We are in the early stages, but there is momentum. The town is working on meeting people where they arrive and creating a transit system with buses to bring them into town, which would reduce the carbon footprint for visitors and our large local workforce. Since COVID, the town has been working on the revitalization of Witherspoon Street. The street is now one way, with the upper end meeting Nassau Street at Nassau Hall Gate, which enabled wider sidewalks, more outdoor dining, and made it more attractive to foot traffic. The town has also introduced aggressive ‘Share The Street’ bike programming. 

With major events like the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026 and the FIFA World Cup approaching, how is Nassau Inn preparing to leverage these opportunities?

We are planning different surprise marketing around the 1776 theme, such as reduced “historical” prices. Our primary involvement is in supporting our partners. There is a county-wide tourism effort and a more localized Princeton effort. We have provided financial support and served on committees. We expect Morven Museum, the former home of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the battlefield reenactments to drive visitors downtown and into overnight stays. 

What are your strategic near-term priorities for Nassau Inn, and how do you see the hotel continuing to evolve?

From an evolutionary standpoint, we are focused on renovation.  A historic building like ours requires a lot of back-of-house upgrades, which can be costly. We are currently finishing a major room renovation project. We continue to remain flexible and capitalize on opportunities as they come. As for the upcoming excitement surround the Semiquincentennial and World Cup we show the FIFA World Cup games every day in our in-house restaurant and bar, the Yankee Doodle Tap Room. in support of our players and nations. We have many team members from other countries and will cheer them on. We will continue to invest in our personnel and maintain quality relationships with our guests.