Held at Gunpoint, 96 Acres, and a Sabbatical That Changed Everything: The Story of Missing Hotel

Meet Stephen and Sam Hopkins —  the founders of Missing Hotel, a one-of-a-kind retreat nestled in the Texas Hill Country.

With 96 acres bordering a nature preserve and uniquely designed domes and villas, the property offers more than just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to disconnect and reconnect with what matters most.

We dive deep into their founding story, from working corporate jobs in the energy sector to making the bold decision to take a year-long sabbatical that transformed their lives and careers. Their passion for creating experiences stems from their own love of travel, and with Missing Hotel, they’ve crafted a stay that combines surprise, spontaneity, and simplicity to create meaningful moments for guests.

Tune in to hear:

• How the inspiration for Missing Hotel struck during a sabbatical and a few bottles of rum in Australia
• The challenges (and a few wild stories) of building unique structures during COVID, including being held at gunpoint over $3,000
• Why Stephen and Sam believe in keeping elements of mystery and surprise throughout their guests’ stays
• Their approach to creating spaces that offer a mental reset through digital detox and immersive, experiential hospitality
• Their exciting plans to expand Missing Hotel into new states and wilder ideas in the next five years

This conversation is packed with insights into creating unforgettable guest experiences, the power of brand storytelling, and the future of experiential hospitality.

Discover Missing Hotel
Follow Missing Hotel on Instagram
Apply for the Experiential Hospitality Community 

This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers.  Hudson Creative  is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you’ll get 10% off any service level option.

If you’re serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreativeStudio.com/behindthestays. Trust me, Eli and his team will make your website something truly special. 

And don’t forget to listen to our series, "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites," which we’ll link in the show notes below, for a deep dive into what makes these guys the best in the biz.

About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.