Episodes

In this episode, Jordan Hollander, co-founder of Hotel Tech Report, shares insights on the evolving landscape of hotel technology, including the changing buying process, key technologies to watch, and strategies for successful implementation. Listen now to learn about: The changing buying process for hotel technology - How buyers are becoming more sophisticated, and the shift away from trade shows to online research and reviews. Decentralization in decision-making - How technology purcha...

In this episode, Penny Brown, Managing Director of the Burgh Island Hotel in England, shares insights into creating a unique and relaxing hospitality experience that helps guests disconnect from their busy lives and recharge. Listen now to learn about: The importance of the arrival experience - How the journey to the hotel and the initial welcome with champagne sets the tone for relaxation. Intentional design choices for relaxation - The decision to exclude televisions from rooms to help...

In this episode, Penny Brown, Managing Director of the Burgh Island Hotel in England, shares why age diversity is important and the benefits of hiring older workers in the hospitality industry. Listen now to learn about: The current staffing challenges in the hospitality industry and typical hiring practices. The transient nature of young workers and the impact of high turnover on hotels. The lack of proper induction and care for new employees in many hotels. The advantages of hiring older w...

In this episode, Simon Mais, CEO of EOS Hospitality, shares insights on attracting and retaining talented people in the hospitality industry. The biggest challenge in the hospitality industry (00:01) - Discover why attracting and retaining talent is a significant challenge in hospitality. EOS Hospitality's ethos: Humble and Kind (00:44) - Learn about the company's core values and how humility and kindness have become major draws for senior leadership and other employees. Respecting and acknow...

In this episode, Simon Mais, CEO of EOS Hospitality, shares insights into the dynamic world of hotel operations and management. Listen now to learn about: Why management and operations matter in the hospitality industry (00:52) The appeal of a career in hotel operations (01:06) The importance of adaptability and excitement in operations roles (01:50) The role of revenue and accounting in successful hotel management (02:33) How operations contributes to guest experience and satisfaction (02:...

In this episode, Meredith Marin, CEO of Vegan Hospitality, shares insights on how to cater to vegan guests and the importance of plant-based options in the hospitality industry. Why catering to vegan guests matters (01:16) - Understanding the importance of inclusivity and the "veto vote" phenomenon. Common reasons people adopt a plant-based diet (08:22) - Health benefits, sustainability concerns, and animal welfare considerations. Developing a vegan guest strategy (12:14) - Mapping the...

In this episode, Simon Mais, CEO of EOS Hospitality, shares how his company has developed a way to give back to the communities it operates in without reducing the profits of the hotels it manages. Introduction to the Community Impact Program (00:59) - Learn about the 1% impact fee charged to hotel guests and how these funds are allocated for community benefits. Local vs. National Impact (01:10) - Understand the decision-making process behind focusing on local community impact rather than...

In this episode, Nikheel Advani, co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares insights on excellence in hospitality and how to scale it across multiple properties. Guest Experience and Personalization (01:00) - Hear a story about a guest's feedback on the price of Diet Coke and how the team responded to enhance the guest experience. Scaling Operations (02:59) - Discover the operational challenges and strategies involved in scaling fro...

In this episode, Nikheel Advani, co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares insights on leveraging local culture and best practices in hospitality to create remarkable guest experiences. The Power of Local Culture in Hospitality - Learn how embracing the local culture and authentic interactions can enhance guest experiences. The Importance of Emotional Connections - Discover the impact of genuine emotional bonds, such as the "Caribb...

In this episode, Nikheel Advani, co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares insights on how wellness and first impressions create an unforgettable guest experience. Listen now to learn about: The importance of first impressions in hospitality How Grace Bay Resorts integrates wellness into the guest experience The therapeutic value of nature and beach walks The role of wellness coaches in enhancing guest relaxation Strategie...

In this episode, Nikheel Advani, co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares his journey and insights on the power of leadership and mentorship in the hospitality industry. The importance of mentorship in career growth (01:14) - Nikheel discusses how mentorship has been a common theme throughout his career, starting with his father and continuing with various leaders at the Ritz-Carlton. Key advice from mentors (03:18) - Nikheel shar...

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Olson, professor at the University of North Florida and director of the Taylor Leadership Institute, shares insights on what it takes to excel in leadership and how to empower others effectively. Introduction to Dr. Matt Olson and his role (01:42) - Learn about Dr. Olson's background and his work at the University of North Florida. Defining Leadership and Its Importance (02:26) - Understand Dr. Olson's perspective on leadership as influence rather than a posit...

In this episode, Tony Greenberg, co-owner of SingleThread, shares insights into the strategy and unique approach that has helped SingleThread become one of the top hospitality businesses in the world. Tony's perspective on the evolving hospitality economy (01:40) - Learn about the shift from material goods to transformational experiences, and the integration of restaurants and hotels in the hospitality industry. The role of the inn in SingleThread's business model (05:25) - Discover how the in...

In this episode, Nathan Woods shares his insights on cultivating a heart of hospitality and how it can transform both personal and professional interactions. The concept of providing hospitality with both home and heart The importance of seeing everyone as beloved and deeply loved How gratitude and recognition of others' needs can open up opportunities for hospitality The intrinsic value of people and its impact on creating beautiful hospitality experiences Listen to our other episode with ...

In this episode, Scott Roby, founder of Storyteller Hospitality, shares his journey that led him to create a consultancy focused on story-based business strategies and how you can unlock success in your career and business through stories. Founding Storyteller Hospitality (03:36) - Understand the inspiration behind Storyteller Hospitality and how Scott launched the consultancy. The Power of Storytelling (05:28) - Explore how storytelling can build culture, attract talent, and drive business pe...

In this episode, Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate, shares insights on how her business has achieved recognition as one of the Travel & Leisure Best 100 Hotels in the World and the unique ways her team creates memorable experiences for guests. Attentive Service: Discover the importance of personalized service and how small, thoughtful gestures by staff can leave lasting impressions on guests. Maintaining Energy and Inspiration: Understand how Lisa and her team stay inspired and en...

In this episode, Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate, shares insights on how she and her sister transformed a former summer camp into a high-end retreat and built a remarkable workplace culture that earned them a spot on the Inc. 500 Best Places to Work list. Approach to hiring and staffing (01:51) - Lisa explains their unique hiring strategies, including the benefits of hiring locally and the importance of giving employees multiple chances to succeed. Interview process and key...

In this episode, Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate, shares how she and her sister transformed a 1920s summer camp into a world-class destination for weddings, retreats, and boutique hospitality. Adapting to New Uses: Learn how Lisa and her sister adapted Cedar Lakes Estate to function both as an event venue and a boutique hotel. The Importance of Guest Feedback: Discover the role of guest feedback in shaping strategy and accelerating growth. Creating Exclusive, Immersive E...

In this episode, Dino Michael, Hilton's Global Category Head of Luxury Brands, shares insights into how Hilton balances technology and human interaction to elevate the guest experience. Listen now to learn about: How Hilton collects and uses guest preferences to personalize stays. Strategies for achieving excellence at scale across multiple luxury brands. The importance of taking team members on a journey to ensure they feel connected and empowered in their roles. The importance of reading ...

In this episode, Dino Michael, Global Category Head of Luxury Brands at Hilton, shares his inspiring journey from being a server at Planet Hollywood to leading iconic luxury brands at Hilton such as Listen now to learn about: The importance of communicating the benefits of a career in hospitality Dino's early life and family influences that shaped his career (02:09) How working at Planet Hollywood instilled a love for the restaurant business (03:43) The diverse career opportunities within t...

In this episode, Reg Smith, part of a family that has defined the hospitality experience in northern Michigan through their hotels and restaurants, shares the story of his family's legacy and the lessons they've learned in stewarding it while staying personally engaged in the work of hospitality. The origins of Stafford's Bay View Inn and the early days of the family business (01:13) What a Chautauqua community is and its significance in northern Michigan (02:45) The story of how Reg's parent...

In this episode, Sean Tribull, Practice Lead for Leisure and Hospitality at Venari Partners, shares his journey in hospitality, insights on leadership, and effective strategies for recruiting and retaining top executive talent. Sean's Career Journey in Hospitality (02:02) - Learn about Sean's international background and his early career experiences, including his apprenticeship at Brenner's Park-Hotel & Spa in Germany and his education at Les Roches in Switzerland. The Importance of Operation...

In this episode, Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri, joint CEOs of Dorchester Collection, share insights into what they call their "Golden Profiles" and how it enables their hotels to operate with excellence. Understanding the "Golden Profile" - Learn what this is and how it helps Dorchester Collection cater to each guest's individuality and needs. Technology as an Enabler - Discover how Helen and Eugenio view technology as a tool to enhance the guest experience. Structuring for Seamless Service -...

In this episode, Dorchester Collection joint CEOs Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri share heartwarming stories that illustrate the power of exceptional hospitality and how it can elevate guest experiences. This episode is sponsored by Revenue Analytics. Listen to my conversation with Dax Cross on how centralizing revenue management enables the next wave of innovation. New to Hospitality Daily? Start here. Want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each...