U.S. Naval Academy graduates Cody Monroe and Clinton Ramsden are opening their latest hotel, 1313 West, and hope to elevate Annapolis’ hospitality market with their three, soon-to-be five, luxury hotels.

1313 West opened to friends and family last week and is accepting reservations starting Aug. 15. Their next property, 86 State Circle, will open by the end of the year, according to Ramsden.

Monroe and Ramsden, who both graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2011, bonded as roommates over a shared interest in real estate. While they worked as helicopter pilots, they began purchasing properties and founded Annapolis Capital Partners in 2013.

“We ended up in Annapolis because we love it here, and we saw an excellent opportunity,” said Ramsden.

Originally, they focused on single-family homes. But they decided to invest in the Annapolis hospitality market when they observed that Annapolis had a shortage of luxury hotels compared to similar-sized East Coast cities like Charleston, South Carolina, or Newport, Rhode Island.

With 1313 West, they now own three hotels in Annapolis, with two more opening soon. They purchased the Flag House Inn in 2022 and 134 Prince in 2019, which they renovated and re-opened in 2021. Their fourth hotel, 86 State Circle, will open later this year, and they purchased 4 Church Circle in April, with plans to open a fifth hotel.

“What if we were to combine the modern convenience that a discerning traveler is hoping for with the best locations in the city?” Ramsden said they asked themselves while envisioning the hotels. “People have responded really well to it.”

1313 West features an equestrian theme to honor West Street, which was originally built as a horseracing track in 1719. Each room is named after a Triple Crown winner such as Secretariat, Count Fleet and American Pharaoh.

The hotel has 10 rooms, all filled with luxury features like heated bathroom floors, vinyl record players, and artisanal toiletries. 1313 West serves breakfast prepared by a classically trained chef. The chef, Emerson Sodergreen, grew up in Annapolis and was trained at a Michelin star restaurant in France.

The basement is a speakeasy-styled lounge, and the kitchen and lounge are equipped for catering and hosting events.

“Guests choose to come here because they are seeking a quiet experience around like-minded travelers,” said Ramsden. “It’s a more intimate, exclusive environment that almost resembles a private retreat.”

Ramsden says they hope that their hotels will improve Annapolis by bringing wealthy patrons to downtown businesses.

“It’s unequivocally our goal to elevate the hospitality offering in Annapolis,” said Ramsden. “Every day, we wake up and that’s the first thing we think about.”