Global Resort Design CEO: Stop Wasting Capex on the Wrong “Upgrades” | Scott LaMont E62

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Dec 16, 2025

Scott LaMont, CEO of EDSA, shares his expertise in creating guest-centric designs that go beyond decoration. He emphasizes that the lobby can be a profit center and discusses how to program spaces for different revenue streams. Scott advises on identifying hidden opportunities during acquisitions and the importance of local partnerships for authenticity. He warns against neglecting infrastructure investments and highlights the use of flexible designs to boost NOI. Moreover, he explores how emotional connections in design can enhance the overall guest experience.

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INSIGHT

Design Shapes Emotion Not Just Looks

Design creates emotional transformation, not just aesthetics.
Scott LaMont traces his design passion to curated experiences like Epcot that shape feeling and memory.

ADVICE

Prioritize Place Over Maximum Density

Lean into local materials and culture to make a place authentic.
Prioritize bespoke identity over maximizing key counts for meaningful guest experiences.

ADVICE

Program Local Experiences Into The Hotel

Program guest activities that connect to nearby assets and make them visible and accessible.
Coordinate operations and design so experiences are curated and easy for guests to join.

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Boutique hotel investors often lose money in the same place: they renovate what’s visible, and ignore what actually drives guest behavior.

In this episode, we talk about design as a business tool, not a decoration budget. The goal is simple: create a guest experience that feels intentional, sells itself, and supports your NOI, even when you’re operating without brand-level resources.
My guest is Scott LaMont, CEO of EDSA, a globally recognized design and planning firm. Scott and his team work on hospitality projects worldwide, from master planning new destinations to repositioning existing resorts.

You’ll hear:

How to “program” spaces so they earn money at different times of day
What to look for during acquisition that signals hidden upside
Why the lobby is not a pass-through, it’s a profit center
How local partnerships create authenticity without big construction costs
The infrastructure investments (water, resiliency) owners regret skipping
A practical way to use guest reviews as free due diligence

If you’re graduating from Airbnb to your first hotel deal, this episode will help you avoid rookie capex mistakes and make design decisions that actually translate to revenue. Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Scott

Scott LaMont is the CEO and Principal of EDSA, a globally recognized planning and landscape architecture firm where he has spent nearly three decades shaping award-winning destinations for brands like Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton. An expert in “deconstructed hospitality” and nature-focused design, Scott combines environmental stewardship with pragmatic business planning to drive long-term value and ROI for developers. He leads with a collaborative, human-centered philosophy that integrates emerging technologies like AI to create authentic, immersive guest experiences that connect people with place.

Connect with Scott on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Visit their website: https://www.edsaplan.com

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Connect with Michael on Instagram or LinkedIn.

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