Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this special bonus episode, we share a recent Actabl webinar where Head of Editorial Sarah McCay Tams and Senior Vice President Lindsey Goedeker unpack the real story behind 2025 hotel performance.  >> Access the slides with data from this presentation here <<  Drawing on data from thousands of U.S. properties, they reveal how operators protected profit despite a 15% revenue shortfa...

In this episode, Jannes Sörensen , founder of Kepler Hotel Group and the Kepler International Hospitality Academy , joins our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker to explore how hotels can design experiences that really meet guests' needs. Drawing from his background leading award-winning luxury properties such as The Beaumont in London, Jannes challenges the industry’s habit of t...

In this conversation, Jannes Sörensen , founder of Kepler Hotel Group and the Kepler International Hospitality Academy , shares a contrarian view of hospitality in an age of abundance with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker . Drawing on two decades leading some of the world’s finest hotels, Jannes shares why fulfillment for many often comes not from comfort, but from challenge, p...

In this episode, Jannes Sörensen —founder of Kepler Hotel Group and the Kepler International Hospitality Academy, and former General Manager of London’s award-winning Beaumont Hotel —joins our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker to discuss what it really takes to lead consistent excellence in hospitality. Building on yesterday’s conversation about service, Jannes explains why structur...

In this episode, we're learning from Jannes Sörensen , founder of Kepler Hotel Group and the Kepler International Hospitality Academy , in a conversation hosted by our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker . After years leading some of the world’s best hotels, Jannes shares why differentiation and success in hospitality today comes not from design or amenities, but from the emotion...

What does it take to build a global career in travel and hospitality — one that spans brands at the top of our industry? In this conversation, our career correspondent, and hertelier founder Emily Goldfischer , sits down with Carolyn Turnbull , the CEO of Nammos Hotels & Resorts , whose journey has taken her from Aman to Tourism Western Australia and beyond. Carolyn shares what she’s learned a...

In this episode, Eugene Leonard , General Manager of Hotel Café Royal in London , shares with our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith (founder of MorningStar GX ), how a 160-year-old landmark stays relevant to today’s luxury traveler. He explains his “zeitgeist” approach to guest experience, updating classic service touchpoints (yes, even shoe-shine) to match what modern, younger luxury g...

In this episode, Eugene Leonard , General Manager of Hotel Café Royal in London , shares with our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith (founder of MorningStar GX ), his perspective on how technology is changing hospitality now in real ways. From managing 90 disconnected systems to creating one unified guest experience, Eugene explains how better integration and AI tools can help hoteliers...

In this episode, you'll hear an excerpt of Josiah Mackenzie 's conversation with Sloan Dean on the Not Done podcast , where he talks about the state of hospitality technology from his perspective as head of marketing at Actabl : what’s working, what’s not, and what leaders can do right now to drive change. They explore why tech adoption in hotels has often lagged, how poor rollouts can b...

In this episode, Abigail Tan , CEO of St Giles Hotel Group , joins our correspondent and hertelier founder Emily Goldfisher to share the story behind Hotels with Heart, a program using hospitality to provide housing, training, and new opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. Started during the pandemic, the initiative has grown into a full-fledged Hospitality Academy that equips partici...

In this episode, St Giles Hotel Group CEO Abigail Tan shares how her approach to leadership has evolved from self-discovery to creating a culture people can feel. Speaking with our career correspondent and hertelier founder Emily Goldfisher , Abigail reflects on the values that guide her decisions, the lessons she’s learned as both a CEO and mother, and why authentic leadership and organizational...

In this episode, Gregory Day , President of Hospitality for Mani Brothers Real Estate Group and Managing Director of the Malibu Beach Inn , shares how hospitality can play a powerful role in rebuilding a community after crisis. Following two devastating wildfires and months of road closures that cut local business revenue by up to 90%, Gregory has become a leading advocate for why hospitality matt...

In this episode, Gregory Day , President of Hospitality for Mani Brothers Real Estate Group and Managing Director of the Malibu Beach Inn , shares what it was like to lead his team and guests through two devastating wildfires that struck Malibu just 30 days apart. Gregory recounts how preparation, calm leadership, and a deeply rooted service culture guided every decision, from midnight evacuations...

In this episode, Gregory Day , President of Hospitality for Mani Brothers Real Estate Group and Managing Director of the Malibu Beach Inn , shares how listening attentively to guests and empowering staff to act with autonomy define his approach to five-star hospitality. Building on yesterday’s discussion about the Malibu Beach Inn’s turnaround , Gregory explains how a culture of trust and responsi...

In this episode, Gregory Day , President of Hospitality for Mani Brothers Real Estate Group and Managing Director of the Malibu Beach Inn , shares how he led a complete turnaround of this stunning oceanfront property in just two years -- a journey that took it to the top of luxury hospitality. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here .  You can send me a message he...

In this episode, Gregory Day , President of Hospitality for Mani Brothers Real Estate Group and Managing Director of the Malibu Beach Inn , reflects on how formality and luxury have evolved across different hospitality environments. Gregory shares formative lessons from his early career, from discovering true luxury at Pebble Beach Resorts to being mentored by industry leaders and later managing a...

In this episode, our innovation correspondent Matthias Hüttebräuker explores the power of hotel design with LIND + ALMOND 's Pernille Lind , the award-winning designer behind Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen and The Newman in London. Together, they examine how thoughtful design influences how guests feel, move, and connect. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here...

Chris Green , President of Humanitarian Hotels , shares what gives him hope in hospitality today. As the industry faces rising costs and flat forecasts, he explains how leaders can rebuild optimism through care, connection, and investing in their people.  Also see:  Hospitality as an Engine for Generosity: How Humanitarian Hotels Operates with Excellence & Gives Away 100% of Profits Called to...

In this episode, Chris Green , President of Humanitarian Hotels , shares how his organization gives away 100% of its profits to charity -- while operating with world-class excellence. He explains how hospitality can become an engine for generosity, where every associate, guest, and community benefits -- and challenges us to rethink what it means to pursue what's good. Links to learn more: Hum...

In this episode, Oscar Serrano shares how UMusic Hotels , a joint venture between Universal Music Group and UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle, is reimagining hospitality at the intersection of music, entertainment, and culture. He explains how the concept evolved from the idea of connecting music superfans with real-world experiences to opening the first property in Madrid , complete with live pe...

In this conversation, Oscar Serrano shares how his deep operational experience has shaped the way he leads commercial strategy today. From growing up in Majorca—where tourism is part of daily life—to leading global hospitality brands, Oscar explains why understanding every aspect of operations is essential to delivering both exceptional guest experiences and strong business results. You’ll hear ho...

In this conversation hosted by Nancy Mendelson , hospitality marketing veteran Victoria Feldman de Falco , principal and co-founder of Redpoint , shares how consistent communication — even in challenging times — can drive long-term success for hospitality businesses. With more than four decades of experience shaping stories for hotels, destinations, and cruise lines, Vickie has been recognized as...

In this conversation hosted by Nancy Mendelson , hospitality marketing veteran Victoria Feldman de Falco , principal and co-founder of Redpoint , shares how marketing, PR, and operations teams can work together to drive topline growth in hospitality. Drawing from more than four decades of experience leading bold, award-winning campaigns, Vickie explains why communications shouldn’t operate in silo...

In this episode, Steven Moore , CEO of Actabl , shares insights from his recent presentation at The Lodging Conference on how hotel owners and operators are finding wins in a challenging market. He explains how owners and operators are protecting profitability by focusing on the two biggest drivers of performance today: labor and culture. Steven discusses why labor represents the most powerful lev...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie talks with Steven Moore , CEO of Actabl , about what makes The Lodging Conference such a special event for hospitality leaders. Together they explore the conversations, connections, and collaborations that define the conference -- and what those dynamics reveal about how the hotel industry really works. Listeners will take away insights on building stronger relati...