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Sam Nazarian (Persian: سام نظریان; born 1975) is an Iranian American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of SBE Entertainment Group, a lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages, and operates hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs globally. In 2023, Nazarian expanded his ventures by launching HQ Hotels & Residences, a hospitality brand in alliance with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.[1]

Early life and education

Nazarian was born into a Persian Jewish family in Tehran, Iran, in 1975. Following the Iranian Revolution, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Beverly Hills, California. He is the son of Younes Nazarian, an early investor in Qualcomm. Nazarian attended Beverly Hills High School, graduating in 1993, and later studied at the University of Southern California. In recognition of his support, the Beverly Hills High School basketball court was renamed Sam Nazarian Court after he donated $200,000 to the Beverly Hills Athletic Alumni Association.[2]

Business career

SBE Entertainment Group

In 2002, he founded SBE Entertainment Group, focusing on hospitality ventures.[3]

Under Nazarian’s leadership, SBE expanded to include brands such as SLS Hotels, Hyde Lounge, and Katsuya. In 2020, he sold the remaining 50% stake of SBE’s hotel platform to Accor Hotels but retained its food and beverage operations.[4]

In 2023, Nazarian re-entered the hotel industry by launching HQ Hotels & Residences through an alliance with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This initiative focuses on hospitality experiences through dining, nightlife, and wellness.[5]

The first HQ Hotels & Residences locations are planned in Montreux, Switzerland, and Detroit, Michigan. The Montreux property, The HQ Montreux Hotel & Spa, will feature 155 rooms and 42 residences. The Detroit property, HQ Detroit Hotel & Spa, will offer 174 guestrooms.[6]

The Estate

In 2024, Nazarian worked with Tony Robbins to open a hotel brand called The Estate.[7]

Personal life

Nazarian is married to American model Emina Cunmulaj. The couple has been involved in philanthropic efforts.[8]

Film career

Nazarian has been involved in film production as an executive producer. His credits include Waiting…, Down in the Valley, Five Fingers, The Last Time, Mr. Brooks, and College.[9]

Board memberships and recognitions

From 2008 to 2011, Nazarian served on the board of trustees of the Southern California Institute of Architecture. In July 2009, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed him to the Board of Airport Commissioners of Los Angeles World Airports. In 2014, Nazarian was named to Fortune‘s 40 Under 40 list.[10]

SLS Las Vegas hotel

In December 2014, the Nevada Gaming Control Board investigated Nazarian as part of a background check under state law to get a Las Vegas gaming license for the SLS Las Vegas hotel. He was found to have used drugs and made a payment to a convicted felon. The license was approved on a 4-0 vote and required Nazarian to go under drug testing and be limited to a one-year gaming license.[11][12] Nazarian gave operational control of the SLS to Stockbridge Capital, though Nazarian retained a 10% stake.[11]

After the revelations from the gaming board hearing, Related Companies, stopped a co-development project with SBE in downtown Los Angeles.[13] In 2015, Stockbridge Capital bought out Nazarian’s remaining interest in SLS Las Vegas.[14]

SLS South Beach hotel

In 2015, a group of investors sued Nazarian over an $8 million investment in the SLS South Beach hotel in Miami, alleging financial misrepresentation.[15] Nazarian denied the allegations and said the investment did not guarantee returns.[16]

Ferrari storage

In 2015, Nazarian was sued over unpaid storage fees for a Ferrari, a case Nazarian disputed, claiming he never owned the vehicle.[17]

References

  1. ^ “Sam Nazarian’s SBE Forms Strategic Alliance with Wyndham”. Wyndham Hotels. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  2. ^ Ceasar, Stephen (February 3, 2015). “Along with his name on Beverly Hills campuses, donor buys controversy”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  3. ^ “SBE Entertainment Group”. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  4. ^ “Accor takes full ownership of SBE hotel brands”. Accor. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  5. ^ “HQ Hotels: Sam Nazarian’s New Venture”. Hotels Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  6. ^ “HQ Hotels Expanding Globally”. Hotels Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  7. ^ Klich, Tanya Benedicto. “The Estate By Sam Nazarian And Tony Robbins Appoints First ‘Chief Longevity Officer’“. Forbes. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  8. ^ “Sam Nazarian and Philanthropy”. Hotels Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  9. ^ “Sam Nazarian – Rotten Tomatoes”. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  10. ^ “Fortune 40 Under 40”. Fortune. Retrieved January 31, 2025.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ a b “Sam Nazarian gives up control of SLS Las Vegas after drug use admission”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  12. ^ Martín, Hugo (December 18, 2014). “Sam Nazarian wins casino license, must submit to random drug testing”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  13. ^ “Nazarian’s company removed from downtown L.A. development”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  14. ^ “Sam Nazarian’s exit from SLS Las Vegas”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  15. ^ “Hotel mogul Sam Nazarian sued over Miami hotel deal”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  16. ^ Staff, T. R. D. (January 19, 2017). “SBE Entertainment Group gears up for trial over hotel sale”. The Real Deal. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  17. ^ “Sam Nazarian sued over unpaid Ferrari storage”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 5, 2025.

Sam Nazarian at IMDb