Today I chat with Cesar Wurm from IHG Hotels & Resorts at the California Lodging Investment Conference & [CLIC] Connect Podcast ! From navigating economic uncertainty to seizing growth opportunities, this conversation is packed with insights for hotel pros. 🔹 What You’ll Learn: How IHG is adapting to government travel shifts 🔄 Why group & events business is a major bright spot ✨ Pricing pressure vs. guest experience – striking the right balance 💰 How emotional connections can justify premium ...
Mar 06, 2025•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Get ready for an eye-opening journey into the world of luxury river cruising in Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar with John Nguyen, CEO of Heritage Line ! 🌊✨ What you’ll discover in this episode: 🔹 The Origin Story – How John’s childhood on the Pearl River inspired a world-class cruise line 🔹 Beyond the Big Ships – Why river cruises offer a more intimate, immersive travel experience 🔹 Hidden Gems of the Mekong – Villages so remote that some locals have never seen electricity before 🔹 Luxury Meets ...
Mar 05, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Step inside Le Meridien Fort Worth with Glenn Haussman and General Manager Chase Chasteen for an exclusive tour of this beautifully transformed historic building. From a 1928 auto garage to a modern luxury hotel, this property is packed with unique design, thoughtful touches, and a rich history you won’t want to miss. 🔥 What You’ll Discover: Historic Transformation – Learn how a 1928 parking garage became a stunning hotel while preserving its roots. Hidden Design Details – From custom Hermes ar...
Mar 04, 2025•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast The hospitality investment world is a whirlwind, and no one knows it better than Michael Shindler, ISHC of Four Corners Advisors. In his 11th (!) appearance, we tackle the biggest mysteries in the industry today. Is money really coming off the sidelines? Are interest rates going anywhere? And what’s up with tariffs shaking up the market? 🤯 In This Episode: 🔥 Executive orders, lawsuits, and the chaos factor in hospitality 💵 Why everyone keeps saying there’s money on the sidelines—do we believe...
Feb 27, 2025•34 min•Ep 836•Transcript available on Metacast Join No Vacancy Live host Glenn Haussman as he explores the magic behind adaptive reuse and hotel design with industry leaders Sharon Bilbeisi AIA LEED AP (SVP of Design, IIG Design) and Jocelyn Lurie (VP of Procurement, Throughline by IIG ). This episode uncovers how old structures—from historic mills to outdated hotels—are being turned into extraordinary hospitality experiences. 📌 What You’ll Discover in This Episode: The Art of Adaptive Reuse – How IIG Design transforms overlooked spaces int...
Feb 26, 2025•32 min•Ep 835•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s a special one! I’m talking to Sam Bakhshandehpour , CEO of one of the most influential hotel restaurant companies, José Andrés Group . He shares insights on pricing, expansion strategies, and why restaurants inside hotels are thriving again. Plus: 🔹 Why upscale hotel dining is facing both growth and headwinds 🔹 The impact of rising food prices and how some restaurants are pricing themselves out 🔹 Why hotel restaurants are making a comeback as destination dining 🔹 The secret to balanc...
Feb 26, 2025•29 min•Ep 834•Transcript available on Metacast Step into the heart of Santa Cruz, where hospitality, design, and surf culture collide! Join Glenn Haussman as he chats with Michael Moskowitz and Kam Babaoff, co-founders of Ensemble, a company focused on hotels, offices and more. Today, we’re in a van discussing the iconic Dream Inn in Santa Crfuz and their latest luxury venture, La Bahia Resort. 🎧 In this episode, you'll discover: 🌊 The fascinating history of the Dream Inn, including its mid-century modern revival and ties to surf culture. ...
Feb 19, 2025•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🚀 What does it take to revolutionize restaurant and hotel design? Find out as we sit down with the legendary Adam Tihany , the creative force behind some of the most iconic hospitality spaces in the world! From working with Thomas Keller and designing world-class restaurants to shaping the future of luxury cruise ships, Tihany shares an unfiltered look at his journey, creative process, and the struggles behind the success. 🔹 Highlights from this can't-miss episode: ✔️ How a chance encounter at...
Feb 18, 2025•54 min•Ep 832•Transcript available on Metacast Hotel deals don’t happen overnight, and today, we’re pulling back the curtain! 🏨💰 Join Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri as they sit down with David Johnstone , a hotel investment legend, to talk about: ✅ Hotel Investment Realities: Why development is stalling and where the real opportunities are. ✅ Luxury Boom: Why high-end hotels have more profit potential while mid-tier properties struggle. ✅ The $10,000 Martini Proposal: A story so wild, it made headlines. ✅ How to Succeed in Hospitali...
Feb 12, 2025•44 min•Ep 830•Transcript available on Metacast 🚀 AI isn’t replacing hospitality — it’s enhancing it! In this episode of No Vacancy Live, Susan Graves (CEO, Experience Alive ) discuss how AI and machine learning are reshaping hotel operations while keeping the human in hospitality. 💡 Key Takeaways: AI as a Companion, Not a Replacement – Let tech handle the repetitive tasks so humans can create extraordinary guest experiences. Conversational AI is Here – No more outdated phone menus! AI-driven customer service means guests get instant answer...
Feb 11, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast What happens when Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri go off-script with no guests? A raw, unfiltered conversation about the biggest trends in hospitality, from high-stakes investments to industry predictions you won’t hear anywhere else. 🚨 Inside this episode: ❄️ The brutal cold snap: Why even seasoned travelers are feeling it 🏨 ALIS Conference breakdown: What REALLY goes down behind closed doors 💰 Hotel investments in 2024: Who’s bullish, who’s nervous? 🏗️ New builds vs. conversions: Wha...
Feb 05, 2025•28 min•Ep 828•Transcript available on Metacast 🏝️ Ever wonder what makes a luxury resort unforgettable? In this episode, we sit down with Nikheel Advani , co-founder and COO of Grace Bay Resorts , to uncover the secrets behind creating world-class guest experiences in Turks and Caicos and beyond. But this isn’t your typical business pitch, this is a deep dive into passion-driven leadership , the power of hospitality , and the relentless pursuit of excellence . 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🌍 From Dishwasher to Luxury Hotelier – How...
Feb 05, 2025•36 min•Ep 826•Transcript available on Metacast James Ferguson, author of "The Confetti Culture Playbook" gives updates on how his career journey has progressed over the last few years from being a GM to taking over as Corporate Director of Culture with Wurzak Hotel Group. In this role, he has taken the company from 2.5 on Glassdoor to 4.3! Find out how he was able to do this and what new projects James is coming out with.
Jan 23, 2025•28 min•Ep 825•Transcript available on Metacast 🎙️ Unlocking the Future of Hotel Access Control with Ed Sullivan On this episode of ESLA Icons & Experts we’ve got Ed Sullivan, Chief Strategy Officer at EntryReady. Glenn and Ed unravel the surprising complexities of hotel access control. It's not just about unlocking doors — it’s about guest experience, operational efficiency, and risk management in the digital age. 🚪🔒 🔑 What You'll Learn: Why access control is the backbone of a modern hotel tech stack. How digital keys and NFC technology ...
Jan 23, 2025•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we delve into the world of award-winning interior design with Yasmine Mahmoudieh, founder of Yasmine Mahmoudieh Design. Yasmine shares her unique approach to design, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and global travels. Discover how she translates these global influences into stunning and innovative spaces that have garnered critical acclaim. Get ready to be inspired by Yasmine's creative journey and learn how she pushes the boundaries of interior design....
Jan 22, 2025•42 min•Ep 825•Transcript available on Metacast I’m chatting with James Hansen, VP of Business Development at Reeco and we’re discussing how this groundbreaking AI-driven platform is simplifying hotel procurement and transforming the industry. Learn how Reeco is using cutting-edge technology and fresh funding to help hoteliers save time, cut costs, and maximize efficiency. And be sure to catch up with hem during ALIS too! Key Highlights: • Big Moves in Funding: o Reeco secures $15M in Series A funding, totaling $25M raised to date. o Discover...
Jan 22, 2025•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of No Vacancy Live , Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri sit down with Donte Johnson and Jason Bass, hoteliers and co-authors of Impact Hospitality , to explore how purpose-driven leadership is revolutionizing the hospitality industry. Dive into this compelling conversation about intentional decision-making, community impact, and the power of aligning values with action. Key Takeaways: How shifts in values over the past five years are shaping hospitality leadership. The unique ...
Jan 21, 2025•30 min•Ep 824•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to part one of our four-part series exploring the exciting transformation of entertainment in hospitality! 🎥 I’m talking with Brian Venable, VP of Partner Management at Warner Bros. Discovery, to discuss the differences between HBO and Max so I can finally understand how hotel guests are looking to use these services. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The evolution of HBO from its iconic linear service to the introduction of Max streaming. Why streaming is becoming a must-have for hote...
Jan 21, 2025•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Palmer founded The Indigo Road Hospitality Group five years ago, a restaurant forward hospitality concept. We discuss how that strategy is working for his company as well as his bestselling book “Say Grace: How the restaurant business saved my life.”
Jan 16, 2025•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast The American Hotel and Lodging Association Foundation continues to do work on helping grow leaders within the industry. Anna Blue, President, of AHLA Foundation discusses the great opportunities the AHLA Foundation is providing in 2025.
Jan 16, 2025•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dina Belon , President of Staypineapple Hotels Inc. is here to talk about dynamic brand building leveraging the hospitality pineapple symbol. How is the company differentiating itself from the major hotel companies and what are the exciting things happening for them in 2025?...
Jan 15, 2025•39 min•Ep 821•Transcript available on Metacast Last month I hosted a cool event (Anthony was a judge) for the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association during their Tech Conference dubbed the Shark Pool, a hospitality innovation competition. So many great teams but only one could win. Today we have that winner, Rich Sloan of WAVR Technologies, to tell us how atmospheric water harvesting technology could revolutionize places like Las Vegas but transform communities throughout the globe. This is crazy cool!
Jan 14, 2025•27 min•Ep 820•Transcript available on Metacast We're kicking off 2025 with Daniel Lesser of LW Hospitality Advisors who shares his thoughts on the financial state of hospitality and where to make money in 2025.
Jan 12, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Anthony & Glenn are here to wrap up 2024. We talk about their favorite moments of the year, highlights of the show, and what to expect in 2025.
Dec 19, 2024•43 min•Ep 818•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for a captivating conversation with Clark Hanrattie, Partner at HEI Hotels & Resorts, as we explore how creative thinking, bold investments, and a deep understanding of hotel operations are reshaping the hospitality industry. 🔑 Key Highlights: The Liberty Hotel Story: Transforming a Boston jail into a luxury hotel and setting the tone for innovative hospitality. The Renaissance Times Square: Reinventing a legendary property into a modern marvel with unmatched views and brand-defining up...
Dec 18, 2024•37 min•Ep 817•Transcript available on Metacast Santiago Leon, COO and Managing Partner of Spearhead Hospitality, is here to define what is a "Hospitality Underdog" and why Spearhead Hospitality prides itself on taking on projects no one else wants....
Dec 18, 2024•31 min•Ep 816•Transcript available on Metacast David Lund, the Hotel Financial Coach, talks about how he's helping some of the largest companies with their financial literacy. How can people improve in one of the most important parts of the industry and how is the financial field evolving within the industry?
Dec 13, 2024•34 min•Ep 815•Transcript available on Metacast 🎲 Step inside the newly transformed Rio Las Vegas! I’m going behind the scenes with Patrick Miller, President & CEO of Rio Las Vegas, to explore the exciting upgrades and vibrant energy that are redefining this iconic property. =] 🔑 In this episode, we cover: • Rio’s rich history as the original locals’ hangout and its unique all-suites concept. • Dreamscape’s vision for reviving the property with redesigned rooms, upgraded casino floors, and exciting new amenities. • A sneak peek into the Nat...
Dec 11, 2024•42 min•Ep 814•Transcript available on Metacast Lloyd Mathiesen, chairman of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, joins to talk about the opening of he Chicken Ranch Casino Resort. Earlier this year, Chairman Mathiesen spearheaded the efforts in the Chicken Ranch Rancheria v. California lawsuit, which resulted in the Department of the Interior approving secretarial procedures for the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians of California. This lawsuit has long standing implications and Chairman Lloyd will explain it.
Nov 27, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this special episode we’re honoring the memory of world class hotelier Harris Rosen, who passed away yesterday at age 85. He joined us a few times on No Vacancy, but my first interview with him was back in 2017 when we were audio only. It was episode #43 for those wanting to hear the entire show that does not include Mr. Rosen. I chose this show because it focuses on his history, success and philanthropy. He may be the most renowned figure in the Orlando hospitality industry who has significa...
Nov 26, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
