Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Top Chef judge and culinary storyteller Gail Simmons to talk travel, taste, and the unexpected power of a good meal. From her early days in food media to two decades on Top Chef, Gail reflects on how curiosity—and a few bold leaps—shaped her career. She shares how food became her lens for understanding people and places, and why the...

On this very special episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline takes you behind the velvet rope of Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Summit. The event, described by one panelist as the “Super Bowl of Travel” brought together influential voices from across the industry for keynote speeches, panel discussions, and spirited debates on the trends shaping global travel today. Katie shares personal...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline talks with Dr. Meghan Grace—generational researcher, podcast host, and resident Gen Z expert—to break down what makes each generation tick and how those insights can unlock better hiring, stronger culture, and more thoughtful guest experiences. Meghan shares why Gen Z is craving more than a paycheck—and why hospitality might be the perfect match....

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline speaks with Patryk Swietek, owner of The Cohost Company. Patryk is a master of property management and serial entrepreneur who scaled his portfolio to over 100 short-term rentals in just one year. He shares how he built and acquired property management companies and reveals the mindset that helped him grow fast—despite the inevitable mistakes alon...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Paolo Lorenzoni, the legendary General Manager of The Gritti Palace. Known for hosting world dignitaries, celebrities, and royalty, Paolo opens up about his extraordinary career—and the diagnosis that nearly ended it all. Before arriving at The Gritti, Paolo held leadership roles at some of the most prestigious hotels in the world....

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Keir Weimer, Founder and CEO of Weekender Hotels. His journey is one of profound transformation, marked by tragedy, resilience, and remarkable reinvention. At just 23 years old, Keir was involved in a tragic accident that claimed the life of his best friend. Sentenced to 2-6 years in prison, what followed was not just time served bu...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline chats with Jasmine Seliga, the founder and CEO of Affixify- an unbiased, algorithm-based platform that matches hotels with hospitality technology providers. With a career spent selling hospitality software, leading corporate sales teams, and consulting for tech companies, Jasmine knows just how fragmented and overwhelming the hotel tech landscape...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by Blake Dailey, a boutique hotel investor and former military officer who scaled his business from a single short-term rental to six hotels and six short-term rentals located in multiple states. Blake shares his journey of transitioning from the military to full-time real estate investing, the strategies he used to grow his portfolio, a...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Michael Doneff, Vice President of Global Food and Beverage Concept and Brand Development for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. From his Midwestern roots in Minnesota to overseeing Michelin-starred restaurants in France, Michael shares the unexpected journey that shaped his taste—and his career. You’ll hear why simplicity trumps spectacle,...

In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline chats with Kerri Gibson— former CPA and corporate tech executive turned boutique hotelier, chalet host, and founder of Experiences Hygge. What started as a sabbatical to recover from burnout quickly turned into a passion for hospitality, renovation, and creating warm, welcoming spaces rooted in intention. Kerri shares how her journey from the boar...

Summer travel is heating up—and we’ve got the data to prove it. In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Misty Belles, Vice President of Global Public Relations at Virtuoso, the world’s leading luxury and experiential travel network. Dubbed the Wander Woman of Travel, Misty shares an exclusive first look at Virtuoso’s top travel trends for Summer 2025—just in time for Memorial D...

In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down for a candid conversation with Brian Kelly, known to millions as “The Points Guy”. The trailblazing founder of the world’s most influential travel and points platform pulls back the curtain on how the idea for a points travel agency evolved into a personal blog — and ultimately grew into a global media empire with a fiercely loyal global...

In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Nicole Smith, the visionary founder of Flytographer — the world’s first global vacation photography platform. What started as a creative side hustle after a weekend in Paris with her best friend has grown into an eight-figure, profitable business that spans over 350 destinations and has helped over 100,000 travelers capture meaningf...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with one of the most influential communications leaders in hospitality and beyond: KC Kavanagh. Currently serving as the Chief Communications Officer for Visa, KC has also held top communications roles at companies like AT&T, Bacardi, and, of course, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Throughout her 18 year tenure with the hotel company, she hel...

On this Earth Day-inspired episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Leo Ghitis, the visionary owner of Nayara Resorts. Leo is an entrepreneur who’s redefining what it means to run luxury eco-lodges with purpose. He personifies blending a deep love of nature with his mission-driven mindset, resulting in an unwavering commitment to transformative hospitality. His properties have earned gl...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by Chris Holdren, a visionary marketing leader whose career has shaped some of the world’s most iconic hospitality and entertainment brands. Most recently, Chris served as EVP Chief Marketing Officer and later Co-President of Caesars Digital, where he helped lead the brand’s foray into the digital gaming world. Katie and Chris first met...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Madi Johnson, a design-driven short-term rental investor known for transforming historic homes in upstate New York into impeccable guest-centric retreats. She’s also the co-founder of The Short-Term Rental Book Club, a community for hospitality entrepreneurs to learn, connect, and grow in the ever-evolving short-term rental industry. Ma...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline chats with Christine Morairty, Vice President of Brand and Marketing at Palisades Hospitality Group. Together, they explore the ever-evolving world of hospitality, branding, and intuitive service. Christine shares her journey from New York to Bali and now, to San Francisco, revealing how a single conversation shifted her entire perspective. She un...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Frits van Paasschen, the former CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Frits takes us through his fascinating career journey—from his early days as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey, to leadership roles at powerhouse brands like Nike and Disney, and ultimately steering Fortune 500 giants like Coors and Starwood. He...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Jonathan Greene, a luxury real estate agent, investor, and the host of the podcast Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing. Jonathan shares his unique journey from learning about real estate as a child through his father (an attorney and investor) to his own diverse career experiences as an attorney, gallerist, museum curator, and educ...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Pavia Rosati, founder and CEO of the award-winning travel platform, Fathom. Together they explore Pavia's fascinating career in journalism, discussing the evolution of media, the importance of personalized content, and the true essence of hospitality. Discover Pavia's favorite travel experiences, her approach to crafting meaningful...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline chats with hospitality entrepreneur, Steve Turk. With a career spanning decades in the hospitality industry, Steve has worked at every level, from leading teams at luxury hotels to building his own companies, including Turk Hospitality Ventures and Tangy Management. Discover Steve's insights into the industry he loves, his strategies for success,...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Tahnee Perry, an AI expert specializing in the travel industry. After leading marketing for top travel brands, she launched A25, a consultancy focused on helping businesses in the industry harness the power of AI. Tahnee cuts through the hype to explore AI’s real impact—how it can boost productivity, enhance content, and create a co...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Tatianna Taylor-Tait, an award-winning designer and short-term rental specialist. Tatianna shares her inspiring journey of transforming personal tragedies into a thriving interior design career. She discusses her approach to creating hospitality-inspired homes, the importance of functionality, and the value of design in boosting rental in...

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Simon Neggers, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Communications at Oetker Collection. With an impressive background in luxury hospitality, Simon takes us through his inspiring career journey, from working as a butler at the iconic St. Regis New York to now leading sales and marketing for one of the world’s most prestigious...