Suite Talk

The Hotel Magazine
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Suite Talk is the premier podcast brought to you by Hotel Magazine, where the hospitality industry’s brightest minds come together to share insights, stories, and strategies for success. Each episode spotlights influential leaders, from hoteliers to innovators shaping the guest experience, offering candid conversations about leadership, trends, and the evolving world of hospitality. Suite Talk provides listeners with thought-provoking perspectives and practical inspiration – we hope you enjoy!

Episodes

  1. Balancing Dark & Light at The Mandrake with Eljesa Saciri

    EPISODE 1

    Balancing Dark & Light at The Mandrake with Eljesa Saciri

    In this energising leadership conversation, The Mandrake General Manager, Eljesa Saciri, joins,Tom and Declan to explore how a 34-key boutique property can feel larger than life. From law student to bar back to GM, she shares how tenacity, curiosity and people-first leadership power an avant-garde hotel where art, nightlife and deep restoration live side by side. This episode is produced in partnership with Agilysys, helping hotels bring guest, spend and operations together on one platform so teams can understand the whole guest journey and drive smarter revenue decisions. The Mandrake is not just a stay. It is an experience. Think two bars, two restaurants, a new members’ club and Dharmā, the world’s first immersive spa with an Origin Pool designed for full sensory reset. By day guests restore. By night they lean into the darker, playful side with DJs and performances. Through it all, service remains human and precise. Key topics include: ✅ The boutique GM journey and owning your difference ✅ The art-led vision behind The Mandrake and its private collection ✅ Sexual wellness and safe, expert-led programming ✅ Dharmā immersive spa and the Origin Pool experience ✅ Building team energy and psychological safety on every shift ✅ Commercial acumen without losing the human touch ✅ Community work, mental health advocacy and empowering women in hospitality Whether you lead an independent hotel or a branded property, this episode offers practical ideas on culture, programming and leadership that create memories from moments. 🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with The Mandrake’s GM, Eljesa Saciri. Read more episodes and industry insight at Hotel Magazine. Key Moments 00:00 – What hospitality means to Eljesa, creating memories from moments 00:41 – From studying law to the first female GM of The Mandrake 01:39 – Three things you did not know about Eljesa 02:43 – Inside The Mandrake: bars, restaurants, members’ club and greenhouse 03:18 – World’s first immersive spa and the new members’ club 03:47 – “I always said I would run it” 04:49 – The art-led vision and founder Rami’s personal collection 05:24 – Learning the building and its stories 05:35 – Sexual wellness at The Mandrake Salon with expert-led sessions 07:16 – First month as GM and the transportive feel of the hotel 07:46 – The all-encompassing experience: dark and light, last Friday package 08:35 – Late-night DJs and performance, then sleep and restore 08:53 – Breakfast on Jurema Terrace and restoration in Dharmā 09:53 – The Origin Pool: multi-sensory reset and ancient rituals with modern tech 11:19 – Early life as a refugee and seeking powerful female role models 14:04 – The pivot from law to hospitality and the first big break 15:28 – Ten years of rapid progression: asking questions, knowing where you fit 17:53 – Keeping it fun as a leader and setting the energy for the team 19:23 – Doing every job, leading from the floor 19:44 – Partner break: Agilysys on unified platforms and revenue clarity 23:01 – Being labelled “difficult,” age and leadership, proving commercial acumen 25:44 – Why luck meets hard work and being seen at the right time 26:08 – Community impact: women’s shelters, mental health and schools outreach 29:22 – Transparent leadership: open P&Ls, late-night support, umbrella mindset 30:48 – Learning from poor management to lead differently 32:24 – Two changes to fight for: women in leadership and real allyship 33:24 – Barriers to change and why women must champion women 34:29 – Mentors who changed the trajectory 35:58 – Midnight fox fiasco and the realities of GM life 37:29 – What has changed in a decade and why difference now leads 38:01 – Why you have to experience The Mandrake to understand it 38:40 – Career highlights: Acorn 30 Under 30 and a team award that mattered 40:08 – Quick fire: essentials, favourite cities, Hall of Fame pick, travel musts 42:17 – Question for the next guest 42:40 – Definition of hospitality: changing lives, not saving them 📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, creativity and wellness in hospitality. 🤝 This episode of Suite Talk is in partnership with Agilysys. 🔗 Learn more about The Mandrake and Hotel Magazine.

    44 min
  2. Building Community, Wellness and Talent at Foxhills with Tej Walia

    EPISODE 2

    Building Community, Wellness and Talent at Foxhills with Tej Walia

    In this candid leadership conversation, Foxhills Managing Director Tej Walia joins hosts Jade and Declan to unpack how a modern country club and resort can feel like a thriving village. From “accidental hotelier” to MD, Tej shares the mindset, investments and people-first practices behind Foxhills’ growth. With a major multi-million pound redevelopment completed and more on the way, this episode explores how to balance shiny new facilities with relentless attention to basics, and why culture, training and community are the true differentiators. Tej doesn’t sugarcoat it. He talks staff retention and promotion from within, the realities of post-pandemic hiring, and why AI should power the back office so teams can spend more time with guests. He also reframes wellness for today’s guest — from Pilates and paddle to a well-earned cocktail with friends. Key topics include: ✅ The “accidental hotelier” journey and Atithi Devo Bhava — guest as God ✅ What makes Foxhills feel like a village and how that shapes service ✅ Redefining wellness for business, members and families ✅ Investing in facilities while never dropping the basics ✅ Staff retention at scale, training, and promoting from within ✅ AI as a facilitator for better human service ✅ Mentoring, mental health, and making hospitality a chosen profession Whether you lead a hotel, club or resort, this episode offers practical lessons on culture, consistency and community that you can apply right away. 🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Foxhills MD Tej Walia. Read more episodes and hospitality insights at Hotel Magazine. Key Moments 00:00 – Tej’s origin story and the principle of Atithi Devo Bhava 00:42 – Introduction and career highlights to date 01:41 – Three things people may not know about Tej 02:54 – What makes Foxhills a “village” for members and guests 04:01 – Inside the Pavilion family building and estate facilities 05:17 – Hospitality as a lifestyle, not just a job 07:35 – Balancing community feel with national events and tournaments 08:43 – A broader definition of wellness that meets guests where they are 10:33 – Lessons from major refurb and development projects 14:04 – Staff retention, perks and why familiarity matters to members 16:28 – Training that sticks and promoting supervisors from within 18:57 – Trends to watch and why “bleisure” fits Foxhills 19:56 – Where AI helps — and where only people will do 22:21 – Commuting, work rhythms, and family support 24:42 – Quick-fire: habits, myths, first impressions 25:39 – AI: threat or opportunity 27:27 – A favourite hotel and early career foundations 28:29 – Mentors then and now — and mentoring others 31:54 – Leading millennials and Gen Z with open feedback 33:02 – Learning to support mental health at work 34:37 – Nurturing talent with clear pathways and the “Passport” program 35:54 – Hotelier Hall of Fame pick — Tej’s mum 37:12 – What Tej is doing to better the industry 39:01 – The biggest frustration and the promise of hospitality as a profession 40:25 – Career highlights and hosting major events 42:25 – Tej’s definition of hospitality today 📩 Like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, wellness and innovation in hospitality. 🔗 Learn more at Foxhills Club & Resort and Hotel Magazine.

    44 min
  3. Sensitive Luxury and Leading with Care at Montcalm Collection with Samantha Van Exter

    EPISODE 3

    Sensitive Luxury and Leading with Care at Montcalm Collection with Samantha Van Exter

    In this episode of Suite Talk, hosts Jade Evans and Declan Wale are joined by Samantha Van Exter, Head of Hotels at Montcalm Collection, for a thoughtful conversation on what luxury hospitality looks like today, and where it’s heading next. With more than 25 years of experience across Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Samantha shares her journey from growing up in a hospitality family in Cape Town to leading one of London’s most design-led hotel collections. She unpacks Montcalm’s philosophy of sensitive luxury, where intuition, empathy and clarity matter more than excess, and explains why making guests feel “seen” is the true marker of great service. From leadership and culture to AI, sustainability and wellness, this episode explores how hospitality leaders can balance operational excellence with human connection, and why kindness and curiosity remain powerful competitive advantages. Key topics include: ✅ Growing up in a hospitality family and finding a career through service ✅ Defining “sensitive luxury” and why intuitive service matters more than opulence ✅ How guest expectations have shifted from formality to comfort and familiarity ✅ The small details that create memorable guest experiences ✅ Building strong partnerships rooted in sustainability and shared values ✅ Leading teams through change with clarity, empathy and communication ✅ Using AI to remove friction and create more time for human connection ✅ Why wellbeing and wellness are shaping luxury hospitality in 2025 ✅ Developing future leaders through curiosity, openness and mentorship Whether you lead a boutique hotel or a multi-property portfolio, this episode offers grounded insights on delivering modern luxury through people-first leadership and thoughtful service. 🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Montcalm Collection’s Samantha Van Exter. Read more episodes and hospitality insights at https://thehotelmagazine.co.uk/ Key Moments: 00:00 - Introduction & Opening01:47 - Early Life in Cape Town04:00 - Discovering the Power of Hospitality07:26 - Montcalm Mayfair & Design Philosophy08:53 - Sensitive Luxury Explained13:28 - Evolution of Guest Experience18:20 - Partnerships & Sustainability20:20 - Overcoming Industry Challenges23:58 - The Future: AI & Sustainability30:30 - Leadership & Legacy📩 Like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, design and innovation in hospitality. 🔗 Learn more at https://montcalmcollection.com/ and https://thehotelmagazine.co.uk/.

    39 min
  4. Legacy and Leading with Integrity at The Landmark London with Fergus Stewart

    EPISODE 4

    Legacy and Leading with Integrity at The Landmark London with Fergus Stewart

    In this episode of Suite Talk, hosts Jade Evans and Declan Wale sit down with Fergus Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the Lancaster Landmark Hotel Company, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about leadership, resilience and redefining hospitality culture. From a paper round in Scotland to leading one of London’s most iconic landmark hotels, Fergus shares the formative experiences that shaped his work ethic, philosophy and people-first approach. He reflects candidly on a career-defining tragedy overseas, the mentors who influenced him, and why humility remains one of the most important traits in leadership. This episode explores what great hospitality really means beyond chandeliers and suites, and why the way you make someone feel will always matter more than the physical product. Key topics include: ✅ Growing up in Scotland and the work ethic that shaped his career ✅ From aspiring footballer to hotel management graduate ✅ The power of early responsibility and resilience ✅ A defining tragedy overseas that reshaped perspective ✅ Why humility is essential in leadership ✅ The difference between luxury and emotional connection ✅ Moving away from “command and control” leadership ✅ Why hospitality must end bullying culture for good ✅ Lessons from working in 11 different countries ✅ How to attract young talent back into hospitality ✅ Integrity, trust and earning followership Fergus speaks openly about loss, accountability and culture, reminding us that hospitality is not about status or ego, but about lifting others and creating environments where both guests and teams thrive. Whether you’re leading a landmark hotel or building your career in hospitality, this episode offers a masterclass in grounded leadership and long-term impact. 🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Fergus Stewart. Read more episodes and industry insights at Hotel Magazine. Key Moments: 00:00 - From Scotland to CEO: Early life, family influence and work ethic 04:30 - Football dreams and choosing hospitality as a career 08:15 - Paper rounds, resilience and responsibility at a young age 12:40 - Mentorship and the £100 leadership lesson 18:50 - A tragic loss in Egypt that reshaped Fergus’ perspective 27:30 - Humility, grief and what truly matters in hospitality 31:45 - Defining great hospitality: It’s about how you make people feel 36:20 - Evolving leadership: From command and control to collaboration 44:10 - Changing hospitality culture and ending toxic kitchen behaviour 52:00 - Technology, personalisation and the future guest experience 📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, culture and innovation in hospitality. 🔗 Learn more at The Landmark London and Hotel Magazine.

    1h 1m
  • 4 Episodes

About

Suite Talk is the premier podcast brought to you by Hotel Magazine, where the hospitality industry’s brightest minds come together to share insights, stories, and strategies for success. Each episode spotlights influential leaders, from hoteliers to innovators shaping the guest experience, offering candid conversations about leadership, trends, and the evolving world of hospitality. Suite Talk provides listeners with thought-provoking perspectives and practical inspiration – we hope you enjoy!

Information

  • Creator
    The Hotel Magazine
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Hotel Magazine
  • Show Website
    Suite Talk