The Modern Hotelier - Interviews with Hoteliers and Experts in Travel, Hospitality, Events & Food & Beverage

Curious about the intersection of luxury and wilderness? Ever wondered how a 37,000-acre ranch became a world-renowned resort?

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran have an engaging conversation with Steve Hurst, the Managing Director at The Resort at Paws Up. They discuss Steve's career journey from his early days as a barista to managing luxury hotels and resorts, with a special focus on the unique guest experience at Paws Up. The resort, set on a 37,000-acre ranch in Montana, combines luxury with adventure, offering activities like fly fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking. They delve into the resort's personalized service, culinary excellence, and the importance of genuine, authentic experiences. Steve also shares insights on the importance of adaptability, the value of time, and the resort's mission to provide an extraordinary experience for guests. The episode concludes with valuable advice for those looking to pursue a career in hospitality.

This episode explores:

• The evolution of Paws Up from a family ranch to an award-winning luxury resort
• How Paws Up creates personalized experiences through extensive pre-arrival planning
• The resort's innovative approach to dining, offering up to 10 different restaurant experiences nightly
• How outdoor activities help families and couples reconnect in meaningful ways
• Paws Up's success in garnering industry accolades and recognition

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenhurst/

The Resort at Paws Up: https://www.pawsup.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/94
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Ever wondered what it would be like to turn your childhood treehouse dreams into a thriving resort business?

Join hosts David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Amanda Jensen, CEO and co-founder of Sanctuary Treehouse Resort, the world's largest treehouse resort. In this captivating episode, Amanda shares the inspiring journey of how a simple treehouse for her children blossomed into an innovative and immersive hospitality experience.
In this episode, you'll discover:

• The origin story of Sanctuary Treehouse Resort and how it grew from a family project to a world-renowned destination
• Unique interactive features of the treehouses, including slides, secret ladders, and drink chutes
• Insights into sustainable building practices and preserving the natural environment
• How the resort balances luxury amenities with a playful, childhood-inspired atmosphere
• The impact of the business on family life and creating a legacy
• Partnerships with local attractions and the creation of the "Sanctuary Perk Card" for guests

Tune in to discover how Amanda and her family are redefining experiential travel, one treehouse at a time!

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-jensen-a6b358236/

Sanctuary Treehouse Resort: https://www.treehouseresort.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/93
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

The remarkable journey of Sonesta, including its entrepreneurial spirit, growth strategies, and invaluable insights for aspiring hoteliers.

In today’s episode, we dive into the world of hospitality with our special guest, Elizabeth Harlow, the Chief Brand Officer at Sonesta. Join hosts Steve Carran, and David Millili as they uncover Elizabeth’s fascinating journey—from skiing in the Swiss Alps to shaping luxury hospitality brands with her wealth of experience from Leading Hotels of the World and Starwood. We explore the entrepreneurial spirit at Sonesta, their exponential growth, and the success of their partnership with Grubhub. Elizabeth also shares invaluable advice for young professionals in the industry, discusses the pivotal role of sustainability, and highlights how independent hotels can set themselves apart through intentional design and unique guest experiences. Whether you’re an industry veteran or a budding hotelier, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and strategies you won’t want to miss. So, let’s get started!

In this episode, you'll learn (key points/topics covered):

• How Elizabeth approaches brand strategy, marketing, and shaping the guest experience, drawing from her decades of experience working with iconic luxury hotel brands.
• The importance of truly understanding one's core customer, brand positioning, and differentiation in order to drive successful marketing campaigns.
• Finding the right balance between the "art and science" of marketing through creative concepts backed by data-driven strategies.
• Elizabeth advice for younger professionals looking to get into hospitality marketing, emphasizing networking, strategic career moves, and marrying their passions.
• The sustainability trends and low-hanging opportunities for hotels to reduce waste and environmental impact.
• Tips for independent hotels to effectively market their brands and craft a differentiated guest experience.

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-harlow-1345997/

Sonesta Hotels: https://www.sonesta.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/72

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

Have you ever wondered what happens to the barely-used soap bars and tiny shampoo bottles left behind in hotel rooms?

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran engage with Shawn Seipler, CEO of Clean the World, to explore how his organization is making a significant impact on global sustainability and hygiene through the hospitality industry. Shawn shares his journey from tech sales to pioneering a social enterprise that recycles soap and plastics, providing essential hygiene products to those in need.

Listeners will gain insights into Clean the World's innovative approaches and the broader implications for hospitality businesses aiming to meet UN Sustainability Goals.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• Clean the World's mission to recycle hotel soap and plastic to save lives and protect the environment
• The impact of single-use plastics in hotels and sustainable alternatives
• The importance of proper sanitation practices in hotels, especially regarding refillable dispensers
• How Clean the World helps hotels track and report their sustainability efforts aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Trends in hotel sustainability and social responsibility initiatives
• The profound social impact of Clean the World's work in developing countries

Shawn offers valuable insights for hoteliers looking to implement more sustainable practices and emphasizes the importance of both environmental and social sustainability in the hospitality industry. This episode provides an inspiring look at how one company is making a significant difference in global health and environmental protection through partnerships with hotels worldwide.

This episode is sponsored by Clean the World. For more information Contact - Clean the World.

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnseipler/

Clean the World: https://cleantheworldglobal.org/

Contact - Clean the World

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/99
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...

"No Vacancy Live from HITEC: Featuring Podcast Pioneers Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri"

In this episode, podcast veterans Anthony Melchiorri and Glenn Haussman discuss their experiences and insights from attending HITEC events over the years. They reminisce about the evolution of these events and share their personal highlights, including the transformation and increasing engagement in technology within the industry.

Glenn talks about the origins and growth of the 'No Vacancy' podcast, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when they provided much-needed support and continuity for the hospitality sector. They also delve into the industry's technological advancements, stressing the importance of using the right technology at the right time for the customer's benefit.

Key highlights:

• Glenn and Anthony discuss their long history with HITEC and how the event has evolved over the years
• Insights into the creation and growth of the No Vacancy podcast, especially its pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The importance of consistency and vulnerability in podcasting during challenging times
• Discussion of their keynote address at HITEC, focusing on customer journey and appropriate use of technology in hospitality
• Candid observations about the state of technology in the hospitality industry
• Friendly banter about podcast rankings and the supportive nature of the hospitality community

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Anthony Melchiorri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymelchiorri/
Glenn Haussman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennhaussman/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/85
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil...