The Modern Hotelier

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili welcome Simone Harms, Managing Director of The  Ameswell Hotel, to discuss the latest trends shaping the hospitality industry.

The conversation explores the ongoing hotel worker strikes in Chicago, the rapid growth of luxury travel, and the importance of personalized guest experiences. They also examine the growing adoption of artificial intelligence in hospitality, the challenges of implementing AI without a clear strategy, and how technology can streamline hotel operations while allowing teams to focus on delivering exceptional service.

Simone shares insights i...

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Oksana Gyulnazaryan, Area General Manager at Viceroy and Highgate, to discuss her journey in hospitality, leadership lessons, and the importance of creating unique, locally inspired guest experiences.

From starting as a front desk agent to leading two distinctive Washington, D.C. properties, Oksana shares how working across different hotel brands, departments, and markets shaped her leadership philosophy. She also discusses her recognition as Viceroy Hotels and Resorts’ 2026 General Manager of the Year and what makes Viceroy Washington, D.C. and Hotel Zena stand out.

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In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Rocco Bova, founder of the Summit Latinoamericano Branded Residences, to discuss the future of hospitality in Mexico and Latin America, the growth of luxury branded residences, and the importance of human connection in the guest experience.

With a career spanning international hospitality brands such as Jumeirah, Four Seasons, Hilton, Aman, and St. Regis, Rocco shares how his global experiences shaped his leadership philosophy and inspired him to launch hospitality-focused summits and challenge traditional approaches to industry education.

In This Episode, You'll Learn About:

How do hotel financing decisions impact profitability, deal viability, and investment opportunities? 

In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Ryan Bosch, Principal at Arriba Capital, to explore the financial realities shaping today’s hospitality industry.

Ryan shares his unconventional journey from building a multimillion-dollar professional paintball business to becoming a hotel capital markets advisor. He explains how lenders evaluate hotel financial statements, why refinancing based on predictions of lower interest rates can be risky, and how branded and independent hotels compare when it comes to financing and profitability.

In...

What does the future of hospitality look like as hotels balance rising costs, evolving guest expectations, and the rapid growth of AI?

In this special roundtable episode of The Modern Hotelier, Steve Carran and David Millili welcome four hospitality leaders to The Gallery at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach for an in-depth conversation about the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry.

Joining the discussion are Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide; Luis Segredo, co-founder of Data Travel, LLC and developer of Hapi; Amber Asher, former CEO of Standard Hotels and...

How can hotels use technology, AI, and better Wi-Fi to improve guest experience? 

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Hannah Greenberg, CEO of Eleven, to explore the future of hospitality technology, hotel operations, entrepreneurship, and what it truly takes to deliver exceptional guest service.

Hannah shares her journey from working at a hotel front desk at just 16 years old to acquiring Eleven through entrepreneurship through acquisition. With experience in hotel operations, real estate development, private equity, and hospitality software, she explains why successful hotel technology is about more than just i...

On this episode of The Modern Hotelier Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Christopher Ahlgrim from Preferred Travel Group to talk about the latest news and trends in hospitality.

They kick things off with a look at Astound Ventures’ new $30 million investment fund and Dormakaba’s acquisition of Alliants, and what these moves could mean for hotel technology and the guest experience. They also get into why travelers are still hesitant to book hotels through social media, especially with AI making it easier to create misleading photos and content.

Chris also...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili sits down with Evan Saunders of Azira and Raphaël Bourillet of Accor Luxury to explore how AI, competitive intelligence, location data, and behavioral insights are reshaping hotel marketing.

The conversation dives into how hotels can identify high-intent travelers, move beyond traditional OTA strategies, and use data to create more precise marketing campaigns that drive real revenue. Evan and Raphaël also share insights from Sofitel New York’s competitive and location intelligence campaign, showing how targeting the right guests can maximize marketing budgets and increase visitation.

Th...

Is your hotel lost in the "AI pilot trap"? 

In this episode recorded live at AI Washington, D.C., David and Steve sit down with Sajid Shariff, Founder and CEO of Dextr AI, to discuss how multi-agent AI systems are shifting hospitality from simple chatbots to full-scale operational intelligence.

Sajid shares his journey from IIT Bombay and Stanford to building businesses across consulting, tech, and hospitality. He breaks down why single-point tech solutions are failing hoteliers, how Dextr AI automates everything from front desk lockouts and room reservations to tailored guest food-allergy workflows, and how v...

What can a modern revenue management system (RMS) actually do for an independent hotel?
 
In this episode, David Millili sits down with Steve Taft, VP of Partnerships at  ampliphi RMS, and Tim Kolman, VP of Sales at ampliphi RMS, to discuss how modern revenue management systems are helping independent hotels compete with larger brands.

For many 40-room independent hotels, revenue management is still something owners and operators handle at the end of a long day. From check-ins and check-outs to laundry, breakfast, maintenance, and guest service, there is often little time left for analyzing demand an...

roommaster is evolving—and the future of hotel technology is all about modernization, flexibility, and helping hoteliers work smarter.

In this episode, recorded at the Independent Hotel Show Miami, Steve Carran sits down with Mark Bloomquist, Chief Revenue Officer, and Steven Burman, Director of Sales at roommaster, to discuss how the 30-year-old hospitality technology platform is being reimagined for the next generation of hoteliers.

They explore what “modern” really means in hotel technology, why hoteliers are looking for more unified platforms, and how roommaster is combining PMS functionality with revenue management, reporting, AI, integrations, and human...

In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosted by David Millili live from the Independent Hotel Show Miami, we sit down with Chandler Smith and Natali Jones, the creative minds behind the design atelier Smith & Jones.

Smith & Jones is redefining high-end residential and niche commercial spaces with custom furniture, fine decor, and art curation. Chandler and Natali break down what it truly means to operate as an atelier—collaborating closely with architects, artists, and designers to bring unique stories to life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How are hotel AI employees and hotel software automation reshaping front-desk workload, guest messaging, and back-office efficiency?

In this special Independent Hotel Show Miami episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jonathan Lei, Co-Founder & CEO of withQ.

Jonathan breaks down how withQ AI builds digital workforce solutions to tackle the ongoing hotel workforce shortage, handle AI guest communications across voice, SMS, and email, and optimize complex hotel operational workflows.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Independent hotels have a secret weapon that the big chains don't have, and in this episode, we unpack exactly how to use it.

Welcome to The Modern Hotelier. Today's guest is David Gavaldon, a new member of the Stash Hotel Rewards team who spent years on the hotel side of the program before joining their side. He sits down with host Audrey Yates to break down how independent hotels can compete with corporate giants by building their own loyalty program without losing the independent spirit that makes them special.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Hotel amenities are the touchpoints guests remember, they matter just as much at $200 a night as at $1,000.

In this episode, Steve and David sit down with John Farrell, CEO and Owner, and Kim Peterson, Head of Operations, of Trilipiderm and Curated Comforts, a U.S.-based skincare and spa line that builds fully customized amenity programs for hotels. 

Kim and John explain why scent is the most memory-evoking sense we have, how signature scents can keep amenity revenue on the property instead of "off the shelf," and how to roll out refillable dispensers without adding o...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Anurag Verma, co-founder of PriceLabs, to explore how data, revenue management, and technology are transforming pricing strategies for independent hotels and alternative accommodations.

Anurag shares his journey from growing up across India and studying mathematical optimization to working in revenue management at United Airlines and eventually co-founding PriceLabs. He explains how lessons from the airline industry, especially the importance of building systems that can handle messy, real-world data, shaped his approach to hospitality technology.

The conversation dives into why relying...

How can independent hotels build a profitable distribution strategy while navigating OTAs, direct bookings, metasearch, and AI-driven travel discovery?

In this special Independent Hotel Show Miami episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Oshick Shams, Partner Manager at SiteMinder, to explore how hotel distribution is evolving and what independent hoteliers need to know to stay competitive.

Oshick shares his career journey from sports management and recruiting to hotel technology and partnerships, along with the lessons that shaped his approach to sales, relationship-building, and business development.

They also...

What does it take to create a hotel food and beverage program that guests remember, and locals actually want to visit?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ami Alexander, Managing Partner at Barrel Aged Management, to explore the evolving role of food and beverage in hospitality. Ami shares lessons from her career with Hakkasan, Sydell Group, and Montage International, including the challenges of opening luxury restaurants around the world and leading a major restaurant launch in Dubai.

Ami discusses why today's travelers are increasingly drawn to authenticity, local experiences, strong...

What does it take to build a hotel brand that stands out in an increasingly competitive hospitality industry? 

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Phil Andreopoulos, CEO of YOTEL, to explore his remarkable career in hospitality, his leadership journey, and his vision for the future of hotel brands.

Phil shares how starting in a restaurant at just 14 years old shaped his passion for hospitality, the lessons he learned during a 25-year career at Marriott, and why he ultimately chose to leave a global hospitality giant to lead the more agile a...

What does it take to create a truly one-of-a-kind hospitality experience in the age of AI?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Janice Wilson, founder of Menizei and Territori to explore the intersection of hospitality, technology, real estate, AI, and category design.

Janice shares her unconventional journey from law and real estate to professional dance, entrepreneurship in Cambodia, software engineering at Amazon, and building a unique hospitality concept near Olympic National Park. She explains why she believes category can matter more than data when creating differentiated hotel experiences and why...

What does it take to build technology that can truly transform hotel operations?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kevin King, CEO of Shiji, for a wide-ranging conversation about hospitality technology, artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of the hotel industry.

Kevin shares his journey from working at a hotel front desk in Australia to leading a global hospitality technology company. He discusses how his experiences living and working in China shaped his leadership philosophy, what he learned from scaling MICROS across Asia Pacific, and why successful technology companies must...

What’s happening across the hospitality industry right now? 

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Richard Sandoval, CEO of Spire Hospitality, to unpack the latest trends and biggest stories shaping the hospitality industry—from Airbnb’s growing move into hotels and OYO’s fake hotel listings to Hilton and Marriott’s push into wellness and experiential travel. They also dive into Google’s $10 million acquisition of Spirit Airlines’ data, the growing value of data and AI in travel, and what automation means for the future of hotel operat...

How do you scale a boutique hotel company without losing the creativity, personality, and local connection that make independent hospitality so special?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jorgan von Stiening, President of Palisociety, to explore the strategy behind scaling a successful boutique hotel company while staying true to its brand and guest experience.

Jorgan shares his journey from accounting and hospitality consulting at Ernst & Young to joining Palisociety and helping the company grow from three hotels to a much larger portfolio across multiple brands and markets. He also breaks...

What does it really take to own a hotel, and how can more people gain access to hotel investing?

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, Davonne Reaves, founder and CEO of The Vonne Group and Vesterr, shares her journey from working on the front lines of hospitality to becoming a hotel owner, investor, entrepreneur, and advocate for greater access to hotel ownership.

Davonne explains how her grandmother’s hospitality influenced her career, what she learned at Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and how hotel consulting and asset management opened her eyes to the business of hotel ow...

In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with David Bowd, co-founder and owner of Salt Hotels, for a candid conversation about hospitality, leadership, design, service, and the future of independent hotels.

David shares how growing up in a small village in Staffordshire, England, and working in a local pub sparked his passion for hospitality. He also talks about leaving school at 16, discovering that the kitchen wasn’t for him, and building a career that would take him through some of the most influential lifestyle hotels in the world, including St. Martin’s Lane and Sand...

How can hotels make smarter purchasing decisions, control costs, and use technology to work more efficiently?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jesse Messitte, Vice President of Strategy and Business Operations at Avendra International, for a great conversation about the world of hospitality procurement.

Jesse shares his journey from working at Hyatt to spending more than two decades at Avendra, and how his background in data, technology, and hospitality shaped the way he approaches procurement.

Jesse talks about his career advice for hospitality professionals who want to make...

In this special episode, David Millili sits down with industry leaders at the Hotel Data Conference in Nashville to explore the latest trends shaping hotel profitability, benchmarking, revenue management, and mega-event performance.

First, Amanda Hite, President of STR, shares how new P&L benchmarking capabilities within CoStar with STR Benchmark are helping hotel owners, operators, management companies, and asset managers better understand more than 100 revenue and expense line items. She discusses profit flow analysis, rising undistributed expenses, declining margins, asset profitability, and how AI-powered tools could help hoteliers identify the data that matters most for improving revenue...

What happens when hotel teams have plenty of technology but still struggle to work from the same information?

In this special HDC Nashville episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili sits down with Kelly Popp, Vice President of Business Development, Americas, at Access Hospitality, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing hotel commercial teams today: the “toggle tax” created by disconnected systems and siloed departments.

Kelly explains how fragmented tech stacks can make it harder for revenue, marketing, and commercial teams to make informed decisions—and why better integration is becoming essential as hotels...

What happens when you combine hands-on hotel experience, OTA expertise, hospitality technology, and a test-and-learn mindset? 

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili sits down with Nick Farrell, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales at Phunware, to explore his journey from working on-property to Expedia and into the world of hospitality technology.

Nick explains why hotels should embrace a test-and-learn mentality, how AI can turn guest data into actionable insights, and why technology should ultimately give hotel employees more time to focus on what matters most: creating meaningful human connections with guests.

The hotel industry is undergoing a major transformation—and hotels that continue operating the way they always have may struggle to keep up.

In this episode, David Millili sits down with Kathleen Cullen, Executive Vice President of PTG Consulting, to unpack the major shifts disrupting hospitality today. From the rise of AI and changing distribution models to B2B discount stacking, revenue management, technology, and evolving sales strategies, Kathleen shares what hotel leaders need to understand to stay competitive.

Kathleen explains why hotels must rethink how they approach revenue, sales, marketing, PR, distribution, and technology—and...

Robert Marusi shares the leadership principles, technology strategies, and commercial mindset that have helped him lead some of the world's most iconic luxury resorts, including Hotel del Coronado and Grand Wailea.

In this episode, Steve and David speak with Robert Marusi, Commercial Director of Hotel del Coronado and Grand Wailea, about how AI, personalization, and data are transforming the hospitality industry. He also explains why human connection remains at the heart of delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Robert reveals why agility, continuous learning, and a growth-focused mindset are essential for today's hotel leaders...

What does it take to lead one of New York City's most iconic hotels? 

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, we sit down with David Salcfas, General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel New York, to explore his remarkable journey from washing tables and filling ice bins at a racetrack with his father to leading one of hospitality's most recognizable lifestyle brands.

David shares the leadership principles that have guided his career through 34 years with Marriott and into Hard Rock—leading from the front, building trust through action, creating unforgettable guest experiences, and empowering teams thr...

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Dean Compoginis, the iconic voice of The Modern Hotelier, to break down the biggest hospitality stories from July.

They discuss how the World Cup boosted hotel revenue across the U.S., why food and beverage experiences are becoming a major factor in hotel bookings, and how the rapid expansion of AI data centers is creating new opportunities for extended-stay hotels. The conversation also explores how travelers are adapting their summer vacation plans despite rising costs and what these trends mean for the...

What does it take to build a hospitality career that breaks barriers while staying ahead of constant industry change?

In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Karima Zaki, COO of Town and Desert Hospitality, to explore her remarkable journey from immigrating to the United States without speaking English to becoming one of the first female hotel executives to lead major hospitality organizations.

Karima shares the lessons she learned as the first female General Manager in Red Lion Hotels' history and later as Hilton's first female Area Vice President. She discusses why...

What if the future of hospitality isn't just about exceptional service—but about creating meaningful human connection?

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran welcome Elizabeth Mullins, President of Evermore Hospitality and former executive with Ritz-Carlton and Disney, for an inspiring conversation on the future of guest experiences.

Elizabeth shares her remarkable journey from discovering her passion for hospitality at just five years old to leading some of the world's most iconic hospitality brands. Drawing on decades of leadership across Ritz-Carlton, Disney, The Fifth Avenue Hotel, and Evermore Hospitality, she reveals why the in...

What does it really take to renovate a hotel while keeping guests happy, protecting reviews, and maximizing owner returns?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tom Kelley, CEO & President of Digney Holding Companies, to explore the business of hotel renovations, capital planning, and hospitality development. Drawing on decades of experience spanning architecture, Marriott, commercial real estate, and hotel construction, Tom shares practical insights into how owners can make smarter renovation decisions in today's rapidly evolving hospitality market.

From navigating brand conversions and Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) to managing rising construction...

Live from HITEC 2026, we sit down with the winners of the prestigious E20X startup competition to explore the technologies redefining the future of hospitality.

First, Mergim Kacija, CEO of Stayfull AI and the E20X Grand Prize winner, shares how his experience as a hotel owner inspired him to build an AI-native property management platform designed specifically for independent hotels. Learn how specialized AI agents can automate guest communication, revenue management, marketing, and daily operations while dramatically reducing technology costs.

Then, we welcome Josh Ellis, CEO of Abra and the E20X People's Choice...

What does it take to lead one of the world's fastest-growing global hotel groups while staying true to the heart of hospitality?

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Gonzalo Aguilar, CEO of Europe & Americas at Minor Hotels, to discuss his remarkable journey from restaurant manager to global hospitality executive. Gonzalo shares how growing up across multiple continents, learning from his father—a lifelong hotelier—and leading hotels around the world shaped his leadership philosophy and passion for creating exceptional guest experiences.

The conversation explores Minor Hote...

What does the future of hospitality really look like?

In this special Modern Hotelier Round Table, industry leaders come together for an honest conversation about leadership, technology, AI, hotel operations, employee engagement, and the future of guest experiences.

Joining the discussion are Shannon McCallum, VP of Hotel Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas; Dmitry (Dima) Kroshka, CEO of Phunware; Henrik Shimony, CEO & Co-Founder of Reeco; and Anthony Melchiorri, Co-Founder of the Hospitality Creator Summit and renowned hotel expert.

Together, they share career-defining lessons, leadership philosophies, and practical insights on topics including AI adoption...

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with David Collyer, Global SVP of Aspire PreFlight Hospitality, to explore how hospitality principles are transforming the airport lounge experience.

David shares his fascinating career journey—from studying design in London and working with global brands like IHG, British Airways, and Accor, to leading guest experience innovation across luxury retail and aviation. He reveals how Aspire is applying hotel-style service standards, technology, design thinking, and guest insights to elevate airport lounges around the world.

 In this episode, you'll discover: