The Social Hotelier

Sam-Erik Ruttmann
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A podcast that inspires hoteliers to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their customers, in pursuit of their passion.I share my views and experiences relating to hospitality, tech trends and also relating to humanity. I am sitting down with world-class speakers, leading industry suppliers, top performing hoteliers, sharing about their inspiration, lessons they learned and how to make an impact.

  1. 2D AGO

    Hotel Investment in Europe Is Shifting, What Smart Developers Must Know Now. TSHS-147

    Hotel Investment in Europe Is Shifting, What Smart Developers Must Know Now In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Henri Hakala, founder of Gokstad Advisory, to discuss the dynamic landscape of hotel investing across Europe and the Nordics. They provide crucial insights for hotel investors, focusing on how value is created and lost in hospitality projects. How developers can structure smarter capital stacks today The conversation also covers capital markets and finance, offering a data-driven perspective on hotel development.

  2. FEB 8

    Finding Home in Koli: A Story of Nature, Hospitality, and New Beginnings.TSHS 146

    What happens when a Helsinki consultant trades boardrooms for lakeside cabins in North Karelia? In this episode, Sam-Erik meets Tiina Kujamäki, the entrepreneur behind Koli Free Time Resort, to discuss building hospitality inone of Finland’s most iconic landscapes — and why serenity, cooperation, andbold vision are shaping the future of tourism in Koli. #koli #ukkokoli #northkarelia email: koli@kolifreetime.fi website: https://kolifreetime.fi/

    19 min

  3. JAN 30

    Hotels That Master Storytelling Make More Money—Here’s Why with John Elbing. TSHS-145

    Hotels That Master Storytelling Make More Money—Here’s Why with John Elbing. Most hotels are telling the wrong story, focusing on features, perfection, and efficiency rather than the lived experiences of guests and staff. In this conversation, storytelling strategist John Elbing reveals how great hospitality brands are built from the outside in, not the inside out, and why the most powerful brand stories are created by employees, not marketing teams. Key Takeaway Moments  Storytelling starts with employees, not marketing If a housekeeper can’t explain what the hotel stands for, the story isn’t alive. Culture is the first channel of communication.    Memorable beats perfect. Guests don’t remember consistency — they remember moments. A single “red telephone” moment can outweigh a flawless stay.   Stop appealing to everyone. Hotels that try to please all guests become invisible. The strongest brands choose a niche and build raving fans.    Sustainability must be felt, not claimed. When sustainability is real, guests sense it without being told. Generic green messaging destroys credibility.   Leadership is where storytelling lives or dies. When leaders use story as a daily tool — not a campaign — employees gain autonomy, and guests feel it instantly.    Arrival and departure define memory. The first and last five minutes of a stay shape the entire perception of the hotel.   Technology should remove friction, not humanity. Automation works only when it enhances the experience, not when it replaces it. #podmatch 🌟🎙️Want to be a guest on The Social Hotelier? Send Sam-Erik Ruttmann a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/samerik

    49 min

  4. JAN 22

    Luxury Is Not Service — It’s Performance (And Most Hotels Get It Wrong) TSHS-144

    Luxury Is Not Service — It’s Performance (And Most Hotels Get It Wrong) What if luxury hospitality isn’t about standards, scripts, or smiles — but about presence, timing, and emotional intelligence? In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann explores luxury service as a live performance, where every micro-moment shapes how a guest feels long after check-out. Joined by strategist and working actor Kyle Merrick, @AnarchyMarketingCoach, this conversation reveals why the best hotel teams don’t follow scripts — they read the room, listen like actors, and respond in real time. Timing is everything in creating a positive guest experience You’ll learn: • Why guests feel luxury before they can describe it • How the first 10 seconds of arrival define the entire stay • What hotel staff must observe (but are never trained to notice) • How to recover when you miss the moment — without making it awkward • Why true luxury is emotional containment, not over-service If you work in a hotel — or plan to — this episode will change how you show up on your next shift. Because luxury isn’t delivered. It’s performed. ▶️ Watch. Listen. Then work differently. #podmatch Want to be a guest on The Social Hotelier? Send Sam-Erik Ruttmann a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/samerik

    1 hr

  5. 12/12/2025

    The White Space Hotel Brands are missing. TSHS-141

    What if a hotel stay could actively improve how guests sleep, move, recover, and live? In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Mark Dardan, CEO of Modern Hospitality, to unpack the thinking behind Olympia Resort Abu Dhabi—a new hospitality brand built at the intersection of performance science, wellbeing, and lifestyle design. This conversation goes beyond wellness as an amenity. It explores how post-COVID guest expectations, longevity, and purposeful living are reshaping what hospitality brands must deliver to stay relevant. From high-performance athletes to everyday travelers, Olympia challenges traditional luxury narratives and introduces a repeat-driven, health-focused guest experience model. If you are developing, operating, or investing in future-facing hospitality concepts, this episode offers strategic insight into where guest experience is heading next. Key Takeaways for Hospitality Leaders Guest experience is shifting from indulgence to performance, recovery, and longevity. Post-COVID travelers prioritize health, sleep, and meaningful experiences over material luxury. High-performance hospitality can be designed for both elite athletes and everyday guests. Sleep quality is emerging as a core product, not a background feature Recovery tools used by athletes create value for mainstream leisure travelers Lifestyle-led resorts drive repeat visitation through purpose, not novelty New hotel brands must operate in “white spaces” where legacy luxury brands cannot move fast Future success will be measured by positive impact on guests’ lives, not just satisfaction scores Culture and staff passion are critical to delivering a credible lifestyle brand Hospitality is evolving from a place to stay into a catalyst for personal growth   🎙️Want to be a guest on The Social Hotelier? Send Sam-Erik Ruttmann a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/samerik

    23 min

  6. 11/30/2025

    Hospitality Has Lost Its Imagination! Javier Rodriguez Reveals the Shocking Truth. TSHS-140

    Has luxury hospitality design lost its soul? In this explosive episode of The Social Hotelier Podcast, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Javier Rodriguez, Chief Creative Officer at Experiential Hospitality, to uncover why the industry is stuck chasing Instagram aesthetics instead of creating authentic guest experiences. Javier reveals how regenerative tourism and sustainable hotels can transform the future of luxury hospitality—and why most brands are failing at true hospitality innovation. From hotel architecture that embraces nature to eco-friendly resorts that regenerate ecosystems, this conversation is a blueprint for the future of hospitality. 🔥 What you’ll learn: Why aesthetics aren’t enough—how to design unforgettable hospitality experiences. The real difference between sustainability in hospitality and regeneration. How to future-proof hotel development for a world that changes overnight. Why chasing certifications might distract from real impact. The radical shift from SOPs to SOEs (Standard Operating Experiences).

    39 min

  7. 11/24/2025

    Designing Emotion: The Art of Space – conversation with Maiju Koskela. TSHS-139

    In this episode, I speak with Maiju Koskela, interior architect and spatial designer with  ⁨@studiopuistoarchitects⁩  Studio Puisto Architect,s about the profound impact of design on human emotions and experiences. We explore how elements like light, shadow, and materials shape the atmosphere of spaces, and how these factors influence human behavior and consciousness. Maiju shares her journey into spatial design, her design philosophy, and the importance of collaboration with architects. The discussion highlights the evolving nature of spatial design and the timeless elements that continue to resonate with human emotions. Here are a few Takeaways from the interesting conversation – Maiju emphasizes the importance of emotional experience in design. – Light, shadow, and materials are key elements in shaping space. – Design should communicate emotions without words. – The interaction of people with space is crucial for its vitality. – Materials can evoke feelings and tell stories in design. – Collaboration with architects is essential for maintaining emotional essence. – Sensory calm in spaces is increasingly important in modern design. – Timeless elements like natural light and organic materials resonate deeply with people. – Designing for emotion involves creating intuitive environments. – Spaces can influence human behavior and consciousness.

    17 min

  8. 11/19/2025

    AI Won’t Save Hospitality—This Will. TSHS-138

    In this conversation, Vladislav Valicek discusses the future of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of storytelling over technology. He explores how cultural immersion and the hero’s journey shape guest experiences, the need for nurturing organizational culture, and the role of AI in enhancing hospitality. Valicek advocates for breaking down silos within organizations, Human touch is the essence of hospitality creating micro-moments for guests, and embracing change to prepare for the future of hospitality. He highlights the significance of human touch and connection in delivering meaningful experiences.

    48 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast that inspires hoteliers to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their customers, in pursuit of their passion.I share my views and experiences relating to hospitality, tech trends and also relating to humanity. I am sitting down with world-class speakers, leading industry suppliers, top performing hoteliers, sharing about their inspiration, lessons they learned and how to make an impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam-Erik Ruttmann
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    173
  • Copyright
    © Sam-Erik Ruttmann
  • Show Website
    The Social Hotelier