How can technology enhance genuine human connection in hospitality? In this episode, William Costley, COO of Time Hotels, reveals how the right tech stack can empower teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining a strong service culture. Key Takeaways: Discover the critical role of a Property Management System (PMS) in integrating various hotel operations and enhancing guest interactions. Learn about Time Hotels' innovative approach to expanding their brand portfolio, includi...
Jan 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 50
Is your hotel technology stuck in the past? In this episode, Matthijs Welle, founder and CEO of Mews, reveals how innovative property management systems can revolutionize the guest experience and streamline operations. Key Takeaways: Discover how Mews is breaking down barriers between hoteliers and guests to create personalized experiences that enhance customer satisfaction. Learn about the pivotal role of tokenized payments and open APIs in modernizing hotel operations and driving revenue growt...
Jan 07, 2025•30 min•Ep. 49
How can luxury hotels redefine the guest experience by transforming check-in and check-out into a more personalized journey? In this episode, Kris Leszczynski, Group GM at London based Edwardian Hotels, reveals innovative strategies that blend technology with exceptional service. Key Takeaways: Discover how Edwardian Hotels leverages technology to create a seamless guest journey, from pre-arrival communications to personalized in-stay experiences. Learn about the importance of integrating CRM an...
Dec 17, 2024•35 min•Ep. 48
How can a hotel brand leverage technology to enhance guest experience while maintaining a personal touch? In this episode, Stuart Godwin, Managing Director of Lamington Group, reveals the innovative strategies that have helped his company achieve over 50% direct bookings. Key Takeaways: Discover how Lamington Group's unique Room 2 product combines the best features of serviced apartments, Airbnb, and traditional hotels to cater to a diverse range of guests. Learn about the importance of a user-f...
Dec 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 47
What if you could manage 100 hotel receptions with just two staff members? In this episode, Kahraman Yigit, co-founder and CEO of Olive Living, reveals how innovative technology is reshaping the hospitality landscape and enhancing the human touch in service. Key Takeaways: Discover how Olive Living transitioned from co-living to a tech-driven hotel operator, leveraging AI and video conferencing to streamline operations and improve guest experiences. Learn about the unique implementation of remot...
Dec 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 46
Are your hotel’s technology systems holding you back from achieving growth? In this episode, Howard Phung, Group Director of Digital at Australia's Pro-invest Group, reveals how a strategic tech stack can transform your hotel operations and drive significant growth. Key Takeaways: Discover the critical importance of selecting the right Property Management System (PMS) and how ProInvest successfully reduced their PMS from eight to three, with plans to consolidate further. Learn about the role of ...
Nov 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 45
Is the hospitality industry truly ready for a technology revolution? In this episode, Adam Harris, co-founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, reveals how innovative tech solutions are reshaping the guest experience and operational efficiency in hotels worldwide. Key Takeaways: Discover how Cloudbeds' multimodal AI is transforming data into actionable insights, enabling hoteliers to optimize revenue and enhance guest journeys. Learn about the five essential pillars of hotel operations that can streamline p...
Nov 19, 2024•32 min•Ep. 44
How can embracing change and technology redefine the future of hospitality? In this episode, Sven Goosen, Chief Operating Officer of Yotel, reveals the transformative power of tech in enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency. Key Takeaways: Learn about the importance of a holistic tech stack and the role of customer interaction platforms like Zendesk in improving communication and satisfaction levels. Understand the balance between automation and personalized service, and how Yotel...
Nov 13, 2024•34 min•Ep. 43
What if the key to enhancing your hotel’s guest experience lies not just in technology, but in empowering your staff? In this episode, Kariana Fiskvik, Senior Vice President of Technology at Strawberry, reveals how focusing on employee support can revolutionize the hospitality industry. Key Takeaways: Discover how Strawberry is leveraging generative AI to streamline employee training and enhance operational efficiency, ultimately improving guest interactions. Learn why prioritizing staff well-be...
Nov 04, 2024•32 min•Ep. 42
Why it matters: Kasa Living, led by CEO Roman Pedan, is revolutionizing hospitality with a tech-centric approach, enhancing profitability and guest experience. Key Points: Tech Integration: Kasa has developed proprietary systems, including a PMS, trust and safety system, and self-check-in technology, to streamline operations and reduce costs. Operational Efficiency: Their labor-light model, driven by centralized services and AI, achieves a 70% gross operating profit margin, significantly higher ...
Oct 29, 2024•32 min•Ep. 41
Arjun Balji, President of Royal Orchid Hotels, shares insights on leveraging technology to drive growth and efficiency in a competitive market. Key Points: Tech Stack Integration: Royal Orchid uses a combination of tools to create a cost-effective, seamless tech ecosystem. Cloud Migration: Initiated four years ago, the shift to cloud-based PMS has enabled real-time monitoring and daily P&L accounts for each hotel. Guest Experience: Implementing a web app for concierge services and exploring ...
Oct 22, 2024•30 min•Ep. 40
How can embracing technology not only streamline operations but also enhance the personal touch in hospitality? In this episode, Christian Müller, Group Manager of Technology at Schani Hotels, reveals how innovative tech solutions are reshaping the guest experience. Key Takeaways: Discover how Schani Hotels transitioned from a traditional app-based check-in system to a seamless digital guest journey, achieving a remarkable 70% adoption rate for mobile check-ins. Learn about the importance of a f...
Sep 30, 2024•39 min•Ep. 39
Are you truly maximizing your hotel’s direct booking potential? In this episode, Juanjo Rodriguez, founder of The Hotels Network, reveals the secrets behind driving revenue through innovative technology and personalization strategies. Key Takeaways: Discover how personalization can significantly enhance the booking experience, leading to higher conversion rates on your hotel website. Learn about the importance of benchmarking your hotel’s performance against competitors to identify opportunities...
Sep 24, 2024•32 min•Ep. 38
How do you build a cutting-edge tech stack for a luxury resort from the ground up? In this episode, Bill LeGrand, Executive Director of Commercial Applications at Vai Resort, shares his insights on creating a guest-centric technology ecosystem that enhances the overall experience. Key Takeaways: Discover the importance of selecting the right vendors and technologies to create a seamless integration across various systems, including PMS, CRM, and booking engines. Learn about the unique challenges...
Sep 17, 2024•30 min•Ep. 37
Are direct bookings always the best choice for hotels? In this episode, Jens Egemalm, Director of Distribution at Pandox, reveals the surprising truth about distribution costs and channel management. Key Takeaways: Discover why understanding the true cost of distribution is crucial for maximizing net revenue across various booking channels. Learn how to effectively analyze and compare the performance of direct bookings versus third-party channels to make informed decisions. Explore the importanc...
Sep 09, 2024•32 min•Ep. 36
What if you could combine the reliability of a hotel with the unique charm of an Airbnb? In this episode, Matt Shanley, Director of Revenue and Operations at The Neighborhood Hotel, reveals how technology is reshaping the hospitality landscape. Key Takeaways: Discover how The Neighborhood Hotel merges the best aspects of traditional hotels and Airbnb experiences to create a unique guest offering. Learn about the critical role of technology in streamlining operations, from property management sys...
Sep 03, 2024•35 min•Ep. 35
How can technology redefine the guest experience in the hospitality industry? In this episode, Mattias Tanski and Erik Bergsten from CIC Hospitality reveal their innovative approach to integrating cutting-edge tech into their operations. Key Takeaways: Discover how CIC Hospitality leverages hologram receptionists and AI-driven systems to enhance guest interactions and streamline operations. Learn about the importance of employee satisfaction tools and how they correlate with operational efficien...
Aug 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 34
How can budget hotels leverage technology to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations? In this episode, Dominic Klein, Managing Director of McDreams Hotels, reveals the transformative power of tech in the hospitality industry. Key Takeaways: Discover how McDreams Hotels implemented an open API-based PMS to improve flexibility and operational efficiency. Learn about the integration of AI, including their virtual assistant Lisa, which has significantly reduced response times for guest i...
Aug 19, 2024•22 min•Ep. 33
How can technology enhance the personal touch in hospitality without replacing the human element? In this episode, Dina Belon, President of StayPineapple, reveals how innovative tech solutions are reshaping the guest experience while empowering hotel staff. Key Takeaways: Discover how StayPineapple leverages cloud-based technology to streamline operations and enhance guest personalization. Learn the importance of involving end users in the technology selection process to ensure successful implem...
Aug 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 32
How can data integration and innovative marketing strategies redefine the hospitality landscape? In this episode, Bridget Tran, CMO of Method, shares her insights on leveraging technology to enhance guest experiences and drive revenue. Key Takeaways: Discover the importance of consolidating data across hotel departments to create actionable insights that improve operational efficiency. Learn how machine learning and AI are transforming performance marketing, allowing for dynamic ad optimization ...
Aug 05, 2024•32 min•Ep. 31
How do you balance cutting-edge technology with the desire for guests to disconnect in a nature-oriented hotel? In this episode, Fred Brown, Vice President of Operations at Hansjie Corporation, shares his unique insights on navigating the evolving landscape of hospitality technology. Key Takeaways: Discover how Fred's hands-on approach to technology empowers hotel staff to troubleshoot issues effectively, enhancing guest satisfaction. Learn about the critical importance of guest internet connect...
Jul 29, 2024•35 min•Ep. 30
How can a small team leverage technology to create a seamless guest experience and drive revenue growth? In this episode, Stein Beauprez, CTO of Outsite, reveals the innovative strategies that have transformed their approach to hotel management. Key Takeaways: Discover how Outsite built a custom booking engine and mobile app to enhance the guest experience and maintain brand consistency throughout the customer journey. Learn about the importance of integrating AI tools, like ChatGPT, to streamli...
Jul 22, 2024•25 min•Ep. 29
What if you could run a hotel with minimal staff while maximizing guest satisfaction? In this episode, Martin Stockburger, founder and managing director of Koncept Hotels, reveals how a digital-first approach and sustainable practices can redefine the hospitality landscape. Key Takeaways: Discover how Koncept Hotels leverages technology to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience, allowing for a lean staffing model without sacrificing service quality. Learn about the importance of ...
Jul 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 28
What if the future of hotels lies in the balance between luxury and automation? In this episode, Matthias Beinlich, CEO of B'mine Hotels, reveals how his innovative hotel group is redefining the guest experience through cutting-edge technology and unique features like car elevators. Key Takeaways: Discover how B'mine Hotels is leveraging AI to streamline operations and enhance guest interactions, including the surprising efficiency of AI-driven review responses. Learn about the integration of ad...
Jul 08, 2024•26 min•Ep. 27
What does it truly take to navigate the complex landscape of hotel technology and achieve seamless integration across systems? In this episode, Sven Ephithite, head of hotel systems at Strawberry, one of Scandinavia's largest hotel companies, shares invaluable insights from his nearly 30 years in the industry. Key Takeaways: Discover the critical importance of communication and change management when migrating from legacy systems to modern cloud-based solutions, as Sven compares the transition t...
Jul 02, 2024•24 min•Ep. 26
What if technology could enhance your guests' experience without them even noticing? In this episode, Julian Trautwein, co-founder of Raus, reveals how his innovative approach to nature-based stays is redefining the intersection of hospitality and technology. Key Takeaways: Discover how Raus leverages technology to create a seamless, off-grid guest experience while maintaining a strong connection to nature. Learn about the unique operational model that empowers local landowners to become hosts, ...
Jun 25, 2024•32 min•Ep. 25
How can technology redefine the guest experience and operational efficiency in the hotel industry? In this episode, Floor Bleeker, CTO of Accor, reveals groundbreaking insights into the future of hotel technology and digital transformation. Key Takeaways: Discover how Accor's centralized technology organization is streamlining operations across over 5,600 properties worldwide, enhancing both guest and employee experiences. Learn about the innovative use of delivery robots in hotels, showcasing h...
Jun 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 24
What if the secret to optimizing your hotel operations lies not in gut feelings, but in data-driven decisions? In this episode, Martin Kemmer, Managing Director of PlaceValue Hotels, reveals how leveraging smart data can revolutionize the guest experience and operational efficiency. Key Takeaways: Discover how PlaceValue Hotels uses smart cameras and data analytics to optimize staff workflows and enhance guest satisfaction, leading to significant time savings. Learn about the importance of a spe...
Jun 11, 2024•33 min•Ep. 23
How can digital transformation drive profitability in the hospitality industry? In this episode, Patrick Apostolo, Director of Corporate Operations and Business Transformation for EMEA at Radisson Hotels, reveals the surprising ways technology can optimize hotel operations and enhance guest experiences. Key Takeaways: Discover how to leverage partnerships with innovative tech startups to enhance operational efficiency without breaking the bank. Learn the importance of a pilot-driven approach to ...
Jun 03, 2024•46 min•Ep. 22
How can a unique approach to loyalty redefine guest experiences in the hospitality industry? In this episode, Claudia Infante, Chief Data Officer at Margaritaville, reveals how innovative technology and a fresh perspective on loyalty are transforming the way hotels engage with their guests. Key Takeaways: Discover how Margaritaville's anti-loyalty program, which offers immediate perks without points or tiers, is driving guest retention and satisfaction. Learn about the critical technology partne...
May 28, 2024•32 min•Ep. 21
