Tustin-Based Bloxx Capital Buys Scotia Lodge, Plans Boutique-Hotel Revival

Bloxx Capital, a Tustin-based hospitality investment and operating company, has acquired the Scotia Lodge in the town of Scotia, with local reports indicating the transaction was effective Jan. 29, 2026 and publicly reported Feb. 17, 2026. The new ownership team is led by Sony Sunny and his wife Unni Sony, who said in company materials they plan upgrades, expanded guest services and a renewed focus on community programming while retaining the hotel’s existing management and staff.

Manager Kristen Fine will remain at the Lodge under Bloxx Capital ownership; Fine said, “Sony truly understands that the only way for the hotel to thrive is with the support of locals. I’m excited to reconnect with our local businesses and further establish the Lodge as a gathering space for residents and visitors alike.” Bloxx Capital’s public statement of intent describes its aim “to build a curated portfolio of boutique hotels with fewer than 150 rooms, each located in culturally vibrant, historically significant or naturally stunning destinations.” Scotia Lodge becomes the third property in Bloxx’s portfolio after acquisitions that include El Noa Noa in Palm Springs and Bearadise Cove in Big Bear.

The new owners have outlined a mix of preservation and modernization. Plans publicly announced include converting the third floor into luxury-style suites while retaining a “cozy cabin-inspired” character on the second floor, developing a concierge service tied to local businesses, and adding wellness amenities such as private indoor and outdoor hot tubs and saunas that Bloxx says will be open to the public. National announcements around Feb. 19 indicated a new restaurant and bar would launch the weekend following those notices; the company has also committed to offering discounted rates to local residents for weddings, reunions, proms and business meetings.

The property’s history and recent financial context shape how those plans will unfold. The building was variously reported as built in 1923 as the Mowatoc Hotel and in 1925 with later incarnations as the Scotia Inn and, since 2021, the Scotia Lodge after purchase by Jon and Amy O’Conner/O’Connor. The prior owner Jon has described an ambitious plan he called “our vision of a Napa Valley 2.0,” but also reported difficulty securing favorable loan terms amid high interest rates and listed the hotel for sale in November for $3.3 million. The Lodge has hosted weddings, a revamped bar and restaurant under the prior owners, and at least one ketamine-assisted-therapy retreat, according to recent feature reporting.

Those financing headwinds reflect broader market pressures for rural hospitality assets. High borrowing costs cited by the previous owner make capital-intensive renovations harder to finance for small operators; Bloxx’s model of a curated, managed portfolio of boutique properties may improve access to capital and centralized operations, but renovations such as public hot tubs and saunas will still require building permits and health-department approvals before opening to residents and visitors. Local officials and county records can confirm the closing date, deeded buyer name and any permit filings; Bloxx has not released a purchase price in public materials.

Scotia Lodge holds outsized local significance as a principal lodging and gathering place in the town. A recent profile included resident Pauline Kate Russell saying, “I’ve been trying to encourage my friends to come down,” and noting, “Aside from the lodge…there’s nowhere to hang out unless we’re at my house.” With manager Kristen Fine remaining in place and Bloxx promising community rates and partnerships, the coming months will show whether the acquisition stabilizes the property financially and restores its role as a local hub while advancing Bloxx’s boutique-hotel strategy.