The Modern Hotelier

Join Steve Carran and David Millili on this month’s episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics as we break down the biggest happenings in March for the hospitality industry. This episode features a candid conversation with Bashar Wali, CEO, founder, and one of the world’s top social media influencers, as he shares insights from his global travels and perspectives on hospitality trends, hotel design, and industry challenges.Topics covered in this episode include:Government Shutdown & Airport SecurityHilton adds Yotel as First in Select by HiltonDesign Focused HotelsGood-Bye to the Goodtime HotelSize Does MatterBashar also shares his thoughts on creating hotels that inspire, deliver authentic experiences, and stand out in an increasingly copy-paste industry. Whether you’re a hotelier, traveler, or hospitality enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lively discussion.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LASK2yVHBU0 Links:Bashar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/265Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dr. Sharmin Dharas, Chief Experience Officer at Hotel ZAZZ and Chief Storyteller at HERstory Hospitality.Sharmin’s journey is anything but traditional. From growing up in a 13-room Route 66 motor lodge to becoming a physician, entrepreneur, author, and boutique hotel visionary, she shares how her diverse background shaped one of the most unique hospitality concepts in the country.The conversation dives into the creation of Hotel ZAZZ, a colorful and rebellious boutique motor lodge in Albuquerque that blends wellness, storytelling, and experiential design—including a hidden speakeasy unlocked by tapping the famous Golden Banana. Sharmin also shares how authenticity, creativity, and community partnerships helped the property gain global attention, including recognition from Forbes as one of the must-see hotels in the world.Along the way, the discussion explores entrepreneurship, Route 66 tourism, scaling independent hospitality brands, and Sharmin’s mission to empower more women to become hotel owners through HERstory Hospitality.In this episode, you’ll learn: How Sharmin transitioned from medicine to boutique hotel ownership Why authenticity is the secret to creating viral, Instagram-worthy hospitality experiences How Route 66 tourism brings international travelers to boutique properties The importance of community collaboration and hyper-local experiences Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SjlSwSoSD-M Links:Dr. Sharmin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmindharas/Hotel ZAZZ: https://www.hotelzazz.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/264Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How can hotels, especially independent and boutique properties, build effective marketing strategies that drive bookings, maximize revenue, and stand out in a competitive market? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jody Merl, Founder and President of Innovative Travel Marketing, to dive into her incredible journey from aspiring actress to hospitality marketing powerhouse.Jody shares insights from her decades of experience working with luxury hotels, launching campaigns for JetBlue and iconic properties like the Paramount Hotel, and building long-term client relationships that have stood the test of time. She also reveals what separates successful hotel marketing campaigns from those that fall flat and offers actionable advice for hotel operators and marketing professionals.In this episode, you’ll discover: The story behind launching JetBlue with a $2M radio campaign funded entirely through trade How to fill gaps in hotel marketing and maximize underutilized inventory What are the key strategies for aligning marketing campaigns with long-term business goals The importance of integrated, multi-channel campaigns across digital, print, and PR Why is the landscape of hospitality marketing evolving from traditional advertising to targeted digital campaigns Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I6vpIq8JcBs Links:Jody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymerl/Innovative Travel Marketing: https://www.innovativetravelmarketing.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/263Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special episode, recorded live at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta, host David Millili sits down with Peter Wenzell, CEO of Wenzell and Fisher Hospitality Group. Peter shares his journey into hospitality, inspired by his father’s work in airport concessions, and how that early exposure to travel and hotels shaped his career path.The conversation dives into one of the hospitality industry’s biggest challenges today—staffing. Peter explains how Wenzell and Fisher’s hotel task force services help hotels quickly fill operational gaps, from unexpected staff resignations to temporary leave coverage, ensuring properties continue running smoothly.They also discuss the evolving workforce landscape, why hotels must get creative with employee retention and incentives, and how the industry can compete with employers offering higher wages. Peter shares his perspective on the growing role of technology and AI in hospitality, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with the human connection that defines great hospitality.In this episode, you’ll learn more about: How Peter Wenzell got his start in the hospitality industry What hotel task force services are and how they solve staffing gaps The biggest staffing challenges hotels are facing today Strategies hoteliers can use to retain and motivate employees Why networking and industry events like the Hunter Conference matter in hospitalityWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ltHaV05Elo8 Links:Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wenzell-b11b9414b/Wenzell & Fisher Hospitality Group: https://www.wenzellfisherhg.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/262Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

David Millili sits down with Brian Popelmayer of Lockton Companies at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry today: rising hotel insurance costs.In this episode, Brian shares insights from more than 23 years in the insurance industry, including how the hotel insurance marketplace has evolved, why liability insurance costs are rising, and what hotel owners and management companies must do to protect their balance sheets.Brian also breaks down emerging risks in hospitality such as human trafficking, sexual misconduct liability, environmental exposures, mold, and Legionella claims, and explains how hoteliers can secure the right coverage in an increasingly complex insurance market.If you’re a hotel owner, operator, asset manager, or hospitality professional, this episode will give you a clear look at the risks shaping the industry and practical strategies to manage insurance costs while protecting your business.In this episode, we cover:• How Brian Popelmayer got into the hospitality insurance industry• Why hotel insurance costs have risen from 1.2% to nearly 2% of operating revenue• How hotel owners can secure better insurance coverage• The positive trends in the property insurance marketWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DUIM79T4FuY Links:Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianpopelmayer/Lockton: https://www.global.lockton.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/261Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Recorded live at the 2026 Hunter Conference in Atlanta, this special episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality’s Most Engaged Podcast brings together key voices from the Hunter team to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s hotel investment market.In this episode, Host David Millili sits down with Mayank Patel, Sophia Pittaluga, and Kami Burnette to discuss the forces shaping hotel deals right now—from economic uncertainty and rising operating costs to shifting buyer expectations and the growing demand for luxury and lifestyle properties.The conversation explores the biggest disconnects between buyers and sellers, how macroeconomic factors and local market dynamics are influencing investment decisions, and why financing and renovation costs are playing a critical role in today’s negotiations. The group also looks ahead to what the hotel investment landscape could look like by the next Hunter Conference, including the potential impact of AI on underwriting, asset management, and deal-making.Plus, they share why the Hunter Conference remains one of the industry’s most important events—bringing together everyone from regional developers to Wall Street investors to spark conversations and close deals.In this episode, you’ll learn: What hotel owners and investors may be overlooking in the current market The biggest buyer vs. seller disconnects affecting transactions today Why financing and renovation costs are shaping deal negotiations How AI could transform hotel investment and operations Why lifestyle and luxury properties are attracting more attention from investorsWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2q_byG5bf60Links:Mayank PatelSVP, Hunter Hotel AdvisorsMayank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayank-patel-2b15206/?skipRedirect=true Sophia PittalugaSVP, Hunter Hotel AdvisorsSophia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiapittaluga/?skipRedirect=true Kami BurnetteSVP, Hunter Hotel AdvisorsKami on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamiburnette/?skipRedirect=true Hunter Advisors: https://hunteradvisors.co/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/260Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Ever wondered how hotels set the “perfect” price, why AI is changing the game, and what the future of travel really looks like?In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chris Anderson, Professor at Cornell University and former Director of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, to unpack the evolving world of hotel revenue management, pricing strategy, and guest analytics.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The evolution of revenue management and pricing in hotels over the last few decadesHow AI is transforming demand forecasting, guest intent analysis, and revenue optimizationStrategies for independent hotels to compete with big brandsWhat are the predictions for travel, luxury hospitality, and pricing trends in 2026 and beyond? Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Pksb5lJZfKI Links:Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskanderson/Cornell University: https://www.cornell.edu/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/259Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, Join David Millili and Steve Carran for another engaging episode of The Modern Hotelier, the most engaged podcast in hospitality. Today, we sit down with Kristie Goshow, CCO of Loews Hotels & Co., to explore her journey in travel, hospitality, and leadership.We dive into Kristie’s early experiences in travel and aviation, lessons learned from Virgin Atlantic and Scandinavian Airlines, and her insights on building successful teams, cultivating hotel culture, and innovating in the luxury and independent hotel markets.Kristie also discusses the role of AI in hospitality, balancing technology with human connection, and the future of personalized guest experiences. She offers advice for aspiring leaders in the industry and shares her thoughts on women in hospitality and how to navigate a path to the C-suite.In this episode, we cover:How growing up connected to Holland and traveling with her father shaped her passion for the travel industry.Strategies for maintaining authentic culture and leadership within a hotel organizationThe role of AI in hospitality and how it can enhance human connectionHow great leaders build others and foster success in the industry.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GiasMp_g5XQLinks:Kristie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiegoshowLoews Hotels & Co.: https://www.loewshotels.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/258Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.