Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, Hospitality Daily host Josiah Mackenzie joins a roundtable of the top podcasters in hospitality for an unfiltered look at the stories that defined 2025 and what leaders can anticipate for the year ahead. Moderated by Katie Cline, host of Suite Success, the discussion brings together Zach Busekrus (Behind the Stays), David Millili and Steve Carran (The Modern Hotelier), and Glenn Haussman (No Vacancy) to unpack the realities behind luxury’s continued rise, loyalty’s identity crisis, AI hype versus impact, trade show fatigue, and how operators protected profitability in a challenging year. Drawing on hundreds of conversations each has had across the industry, this episode offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective on where hospitality stands today and the forces likely to shape 2026. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, we're learning from Craig Stanghetta, Founder and Creative Director of Ste Marie, about why the most successful hospitality concepts are designed around emotion rather than just aesthetics. Drawing on his background in theatre, Craig shares how story, risk, and a balance of comfort and wonder shape spaces guests actually return to. He also shares what emotional design looks like in an increasingly AI-driven world and why human connection remains hospitality's most durable advantage. Want more? Listen to Craig's interview on Hospitality DesignCheck out Craig's work on Instagram or the Ste Marie website A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this special bonus episode, we break down Actabl's Q3 2025 Hotel Labor Benchmarking Data and explore what it means for hotel operators planning for 2026. Sarah McCay Tams, Head of Research and Editorial for HotelData.com, walks through the major trends shaping wages, overtime, headcount, and productivity across U.S. hotels. She’s joined by experienced operators Shanell Marinuzzi and Peter Kilbourne, who share practical insights on staffing models, forecasting accuracy, cross-training, and using overtime strategically. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how top-performing hotels protected margins in 2025 -- and what to do now to better align labor with real-time demand in the year ahead.Resources:See the charts: Q3 2025 Hotel Labor Benchmarking DataRead: How Hotels Used Labor Efficiency to Protect Margins in 2025Read: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to ProfitabilityRequest a call with Actabl to learn about how they can help you right-size labor A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, we're learning from Daniel Lauber, founder of CERVO Mountain Resort, in a conversation with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker about reimagining what hospitality can be today. Daniel shares how CERVO evolved from a modern hunting lodge concept into a holistic “way of living” rooted in community, culture, and connection. He explains why mindfulness and enjoying life can naturally coexist, what authenticity really means beyond alpine clichés, and how design, rituals, and programming can create meaningful spaces for guests, staff, and locals. For hospitality leaders, this episode offers a deeply thoughtful look at innovation, guest expectations, and the human side of building a resort that feels alive. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this discussion, Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's and former Chief Hotel Operations Officer at citizenM, shares insights on hospitality technology. He highlights why many digital initiatives fall short due to misaligned goals and overly complex projects. Matthew advocates for a guest-centered, incremental approach to tech, emphasizing the importance of personal devices and identity verification in enhancing the guest experience. He offers a framework for hospitality leaders to effectively evaluate their tech strategies and focus on what truly delivers results.

In a heartfelt Thanksgiving reflection, Josiah Mackenzie shines a light on the bright spots in the hospitality industry this year. He discusses how operators prioritized profit amid challenges and highlights a newfound respect for on-property teams. The conversation pivoted to the smart use of technology that has helped companies excel. Josiah emphasizes empathetic leadership and a return to core hospitality values, while expressing gratitude to the contributors and listeners who have supported the journey.

In this engaging discussion, Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's and former Chief Hotel Operations Officer at citizenM, shares insights on scaling hospitality brands while maintaining their essence. He introduces the 'starfish principle,' advocating for self-contained, cross-functional teams that enhance guest experience and decision-making speed. Matthew emphasizes the importance of a clear vision and strategic frameworks, enabling creative autonomy while breaking down silos. Tune in to explore how to balance freedom and structure in hospitality operations!

In this engaging discussion, Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's, shares his journey from roadside motels to urban, design-led hotels. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and an inverted-pyramid culture that empowers teams. Matthew highlights how failure is seen as a learning opportunity and how product clarity and guest-centric design drive success. He offers insights into Mollie's expansion plans and how technology can enhance service while keeping the brand's authentic identity intact.

Join Jannes Sörensen, founder of Kepler Hotel Group and educator in hospitality leadership, as he shares insights on the art of Japanese service. He contrasts Japan's omotenashi, which emphasizes preparation and human connection, with Western transactional models. Jannes highlights the significance of the tea ceremony in fostering relationships and shares techniques for making guests emotionally present. He advocates for shared responsibility between hosts and guests, underscoring the importance of setting expectations and treating staff as professionals.

Josiah reveals why 2025 is being hailed as the “Year of the Operator.” He discusses how top operators are successfully protecting profits despite disappointing revenue figures. The conversation touches on the vital role of operational excellence in driving success. Josiah emphasizes a broad understanding of operations, connecting team dynamics, guest experiences, and financial outcomes. He also encourages hospitality leaders to share their strategies and insights as they look toward a future where operations will be the key differentiator.