The Social Hotelier

The Truth About Success in the Hospitality Industry Learn real hospitality leadership lessons from Christian Grage, Managing Director, DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts. Gain practical advice on navigating hotel management challenges. What does it really take to build a 42-year global hospitality career—from the kitchen apron to the boardroom? In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Rutt...

From Michelin-rated Kitchens to CEO Mindset: The Truth About Hospitality Leadership What does true excellence in luxury hospitality really look like behind the scenes? In this episode of the Social Hotelier Podcast, Sam Erik Ruttmann sits down with Chef Franck Desplechin to explore the realities of leadership, culture, and transformation in high-performance hospitality environments. From Michelin-...

How might culture be quietly shaping—and limiting—your leadership? Tanja Saarinen Chávez shares global stories revealing how Cultural Intelligence (CQ) transforms communication, guest experience, and leadership in an increasingly connected world.

From Sauna Ritual to Design Philosophy: A Finnish Architect’s Approach What if the future of hospitality, wellness, and architecture lies not in adding more—but in building less, feeling more, and reconnecting deeply with ourselves? In this thought-provoking conversation, architect Mikko Jakonen from Studio Puisto Architects joins Sam-Erik Ruttmann to explore the intersection of sustainable...

Is the West really leading the global AI race—or are we missing the bigger picture? In this episode, AI strategist Jayanth N Kolla returns for his sixth appearance to unpack the rapidly shifting balance of power between China and the West in artificial intelligence , and what it means for the hospitality industry, business leaders, and global innovation . From computer vision and robotics to hyper...

Sober Travel Trends 2026: Why hotels must rethink Alcohol in guest experience. This episode features Teresa Bergen, a travel writer and expert on sober travel, discussing how hospitality can better include non-drinkers, the rise of alcohol-free experiences, and innovative strategies for hotels to cater to sober guests without sacrificing revenue. We explore the emerging concept of sober travel and...

The Truth About Being a Travel Influencer in 2026. TSHS-156 Join us as we explore the journey of Kia Finska, @kiafinska, a Finnish travel and social media creator, who transitioned from cybersecurity to building a global travel brand. Discover her insights on authentic travel experiences, influencing through social media, and creating meaningful cultural connections. As Kia shared through her jour...

The Future of Vacation Ownership | Derek DeSalvia on Industry Evolution. In this episode, Derek DeSalvia, EVP and Chief Customer Officer at Hilton Grand Vacations, shares insights on the evolution of vacation ownership, industry trends, guest experience, and leadership in hospitality. “Hosting major events adds value and appeal” Discover how the industry is transforming to meet mo...

⏳Luxury hospitality is often associated with beautiful hotels, elegant design, and flawless experiences. But behind every memorable stay is something far more important: people, culture, and leadership that shows up every single day. In this conversation, Sean McCarron, General Manager of Conrad Orlando at Evermore, shares insights from more than 25 years in luxury hospitality — from Ritz-Carlton...

Why Qualified Candidates Don’t Get Interviews: What Recruiters Really Look for in a Resume Why do so many qualified candidates get overlooked before they ever reach the interview stage? In this episode, former recruiter Megan Applegate explains how recruiters scan resumes in seconds, what recruiters really look for in a resume, and how the ATS system affects your chances. You will learn how to avo...

She Couldn’t Use a Smartphone. Her Son Changed That for Tens and Thousands In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Matt Smith, founder of Speak2, to discuss one of the most overlooked challenges in our digital world — technology exclusion among older generations. Matt shares the personal story that inspired Speak2: watching his mother become increasingly isolated a...

Elizabeth Mullins on Building Hotels That Change Lives ⏳Most people think hospitality is about rooms, service, and luxury standards. But in reality, the industry is fundamentally about how we make people feel — and how we create connection in an increasingly disconnected world. In this conversation, seasoned hotelier Elizabeth Mullins — President of Evermore Orlando Resort — shares her remarkable...

Antarctica, Climate & Leadership — Why the Poles Matter More Than Ever with Robyn Woodhead Join for an insightful discussion with Robyn Woodhead, a pioneer in responsible Antarctic tourism and environmental advocacy. Robyn shares her experiences exploring the polar regions, the importance of international cooperation in preserving these fragile ecosystems, and her vision for future polar resea...

Technology Won’t Save Your Hotel (Here’s What Will) – A Conversation with Dr. Meng-Mei (Maggie)  Chen I In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show , Dr. Meng-Mei (Maggie) Chen, with Faculty in Marketing, at EHLＨospitality Business School, Lausanne, Switzerland, challenges the industry’s obsession with technology and cost-cutting,  and makes a bold case for something far more po...

The Future of Luxury Hotels: Why Lifestyle Ecosystems Will Replace Traditional Hospitality Is traditional luxury hospitality losing relevance? In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show , I sit down with global hospitality visionary Claude Attala to explore why lifestyle ecosystems are replacing the traditional hotel model . From ultra-luxury resorts in Saudi Arabia to immersive vineyard destinat...

Hotel Investment in Europe Is Shifting, What Smart Developers Must Know Now In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Henri Hakala, founder of Gokstad Advisory, to discuss the dynamic landscape of hotel investing across Europe and the Nordics. They provide crucial insights for hotel investors, focusing on how value is created and lost in hospitality projects. How developers can structure s...

What happens when a Helsinki consultant trades boardrooms for lakeside cabins in North Karelia? In this episode, Sam-Erik meets Tiina Kujamäki, the entrepreneur behind Koli Free Time Resort, to discuss building hospitality inone of Finland’s most iconic landscapes — and why serenity, cooperation, andbold vision are shaping the future of tourism in Koli. #koli #ukkokoli #northkarelia email: koli@ko...

Hotels That Master Storytelling Make More Money—Here’s Why with John Elbing. Most hotels are telling the wrong story, focusing on features, perfection, and efficiency rather than the lived experiences of guests and staff. In this conversation, storytelling strategist John Elbing reveals how great hospitality brands are built from the outside in, not the inside out, and why the most powerful...

Luxury Is Not Service — It’s Performance (And Most Hotels Get It Wrong) What if luxury hospitality isn’t about standards, scripts, or smiles — but about presence, timing, and emotional intelligence? In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann explores luxury service as a live performance, where every micro-moment shapes how a guest feels long after check-out. Joined by strategist and...

What if a hotel stay could actively improve how guests sleep, move, recover, and live? In this episode of The Social Hotelier , Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Mark Dardan, CEO of Modern Hospitality, to unpack the thinking behind Olympia Resort Abu Dhabi —a new hospitality brand built at the intersection of performance science, wellbeing, and lifestyle design. This conversation goes beyond wellne...

Has luxury hospitality design lost its soul? In this explosive episode of The Social Hotelier Podcast , Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Javier Rodriguez, Chief Creative Officer at Experiential Hospitality , to uncover why the industry is stuck chasing Instagram aesthetics instead of creating authentic guest experiences . Javier reveals how regenerative tourism and sustainable hotels can transform...

In this episode, I speak with Maiju Koskela, interior architect and spatial designer with  ⁨@studiopuistoarchitects⁩  Studio Puisto Architect,s about the profound impact of design on human emotions and experiences. We explore how elements like light, shadow, and materials shape the atmosphere of spaces, and how these factors influence human behavior and consciousness. Maiju shares her journey into...

In this conversation, Vladislav Valicek discusses the future of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of storytelling over technology. He explores how cultural immersion and the hero’s journey shape guest experiences, the need for nurturing organizational culture, and the role of AI in enhancing hospitality. Valicek advocates for breaking down silos within organizations, Human touch is the...

Mind Hacking for Hoteliers: The Psychology of Exceptional Guest Service In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show , Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Blair Dunkley , cognitive alignment expert and author of Ultimate Mind Hacking and The Phobia Freedom Formula . Together, they explore how hoteliers can rewire their thinking , manage stress, and connect more authentically with guests and teams — ev...

The Hotel Industry Is Getting It Wrong , Geoffrey Toffetti Reveals What Really Drives Profit What if the secret to hotel success wasn’t found in flashy marketing or expensive renovations,  but in the people at your front desk? In this powerful conversation, Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Geoffrey Toffetti , CEO of Frontline Performance Group (FPG) , whose journey from valet to visionary redefines w...