The Modern Hotelier

David Millili & Steve Carran
  • 4.9 (44)
  • Places & Travel
  • Weekly

Each episode we discuss industry trends, talk about new technologies, and speak to industry experts. All so that you, The Modern Hotelier, can succeed in a new age of hospitality.

  1. 3d ago

    #345: Hotel Worker Strikes, The Luxury Boom, and A.I. Rollouts in Hotels | with Simone Harms

    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 into The Ameswell Hotel’s innovative experiences, including its immersive seven-course dining experience, NASA-inspired dinners, and stargazing experiences. She also discusses the property’s partnership with AI Hospitality Group and how AI-powered solutions can simplify hotel technology systems and improve the guest experience. In this episode, you'll discover: Union Hotel Workers Strike in ChicagoLuxury Continues Growth GloballyAdopting & Beta Testing A.I. in HotelsWhat's New at The Ameswell HotelPartnership with A.I. Hospitality GroupWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/D_sIoekPCC0 Links:Simone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-harms-3a77024 Company Website: https://www.theameswellhotel.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/345 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

  2. 5d ago

    #344: Leading Two Independent Hotels & Winning General Manager of the Year | with Oksana Gyulnazaryan

    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. Oksana explains how hotels can maintain consistent service standards while developing their own identities, build meaningful connections with local communities, and create team cultures that reflect their property's values. She also offers advice for aspiring hospitality professionals and shares why genuine passion for the industry remains essential. The conversation wraps up with a discussion about the future of hospitality, including how artificial intelligence and technology can support hotel teams, streamline operations, and enhance guest service without losing the human connection at the heart of hospitality. In this episode, you'll discover: How Oksana built her career from front desk agent to hotel leadershipWhat leading two distinct hotel properties requiresHow Hotel Zena celebrates women's stories through art, design, and cultureWhy local partnerships and authentic experiences matter to today's hotel guestsWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pgWVvN73Cug Links:Oksana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oksana-gyulnazaryan-68011039/Highgate: https://www.highgate.com/Viceroy Hotels and Resorts: https://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/344 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

  3. Oct 22

    #343: The Future of Hospitality in Latin America | with Rocco Bova

    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 working across different countries and cultures shapes better hospitality leaders and strengthens people-management skills.Why hospitality education needs to evolve to attract younger generations through shorter, more practical training programs.What is driving the growth of branded residences in Mexico and what developers and investors need to understand about these business models.Why Mexico presents significant opportunities for luxury hospitality development and investment.How hotels can build financial resilience and prepare for economic uncertainty without relying primarily on workforce reductions. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OYtV98L5C18 Links:Rocco on LinkedIn: https://mx.linkedin.com/in/roccobova Summit Latinoamericano Branded Residences: https://sumexhosp.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/343 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

  4. Oct 20

    #342: Hotel Financing: Rates, Deal Killers, & Flags vs. Independents | with Ryan Bosch

    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 this episode, you’ll learn about: How lenders evaluate hotel P&Ls, NOI, insurance, taxes, and capital expendituresBranded vs. independent hotels: financing, fees, and flexibilityWhy office-to-hotel conversions are creating new investment opportunitiesThe common reasons hotel deals fail and how to build a stronger business planWhat investors need before pursuing hotel financingWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0jZdlGMqB_Q Links:Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-bosch-0b42308 Arriba Capital: https://www.arribacapital.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/342 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

  5. Oct 15

    #341: 4 vs 5-Star Service, AI's Timeline, and Scaling Unique Hotel Brands | Hospitality Roundtable

    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 Bunkhouse Hotels; and Josh Johnston, CEO and founder of TrayAway. Together, they explore how technology and artificial intelligence can streamline hotel operations, connect fragmented systems, improve decision-making, and create new revenue opportunities without sacrificing the human connection that defines exceptional hospitality. The conversation also examines the growing pressure on hotel profitability, the challenge of maintaining consistent four- and five-star service standards, and how independent hotels can preserve their unique identities while competing in an increasingly technology-driven market. From AI-powered personalization and operational automation to staff development, company culture, and the importance of trusted guest data, the panel shares practical insights into what it takes to build a sustainable future for hospitality. In this episode, you'll discover: How AI can simplify hotel operations while empowering frontline teams to deliver better guest experiencesWhy trusted, connected data is essential for effective hotel technology and AI adoptionThe challenges of balancing profitability, labor costs, and luxury service standardsHow independent and lifestyle hotels can differentiate themselves through creativity, culture, and authentic guest experiencesHow to embrace meaningful innovation without overcomplicating the experience for hotel staff or guestsAs the hospitality industry evolves, one message remains clear: technology should not replace hospitality. It should give people more time, better tools, and greater opportunities to make every guest experience memorable. Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BB9XxYjLusY This episode is sponsored by Hapi & TrayAway: Hapi: https://www.stayhapi.com/TrayAway: https://trayaway.com/ Links:Amber Asher Amber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-asher-6b388a5/?isSelfProfile=false Stuart Greif Stuart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartwgreifForbes Travel Guide: https://www.forbestravelguide.com/ Luis Segredo Luis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luissegredoHapi: https://www.stayhapi.com/ Josh Johnston Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-johnston-261a8342/?isSelfProfile=falseTrayAway: https://trayaway.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/341 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

  6. Oct 13

    #340: Streamlining Wi-Fi Management for Your Hotel | with Hannah Greenberg, CEO of Eleven

    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 implementing new products. She also discusses the importance of cybersecurity, loyalty enrollment, modernizing legacy hotel systems, and balancing technology investments with other capital expenditures. She shares practical advice for hotel owners and hospitality leaders on evaluating technology solutions, embracing fresh perspectives, and building a culture where people and service come first. In this episode, you'll discover: Why hotel Wi-Fi is essential infrastructure for guest satisfaction, cybersecurity, and hotel operations.How AI is transforming hotel bookings, hospitality technology, and guest service expectations.Why adding more hotel technology products doesn't automatically solve operational problems.The importance of evaluating AI solutions and improving interoperability across hotel brands’ technology stacks.What makes hospitality successful through people, empathy, accountability, and exceptional serviceThis episode is sponsored by Eleven: https://www.elevensoftware.com/ Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fbmbOuLJ7-c   Links:Hannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahgreenberg Eleven: https://www.elevensoftware.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/340 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

  7. Oct 9

    #339: Cabañas Launch Astound, Dormakaba Acquires Alliants, Booking on Social Media | Christopher Ahlgrim

    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 talks about how AI is changing the way travelers find hotels, why keeping website rates competitive matters, and how hotels can protect their margins while encouraging more direct bookings. If you work in hospitality or want to keep up with what’s happening in the hotel industry, this episode is packed with useful insights and real-world perspectives. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Burt and Alex Cabañas launch Astound VenturesDormaka buys AlliantsConsumer Hesitance with Booking Travel Via Social MediaWe were just at IHS, favorite talk or experienceWhat is new at Preferred?Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ok2q5QSt_UU  Links:Christopher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherahlgrimPreferred Travel Group: https://preferredtravelgroup.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/339 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

  8. Oct 6

    #338: Why Hotels Need Custom AI Workflows | with Sajid Shariff

    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 voice AI is capturing missed direct-booking revenue. Key Topics Covered: Why standard "one-size-fits-all" AI pilots fail and how forward-deployed, custom agent workflows deliver measurable bottom-line value.How intelligent voice AI picks up the ~40% of missed calls that normally end up on high-fee OTA platforms.Why AI agents should act as frontline "buddies" to remove busywork and let hospitality staff focus on the guest experience.How Dextr AI handles payment security, API encryption, and prompt injection defense to maintain guest trust.What the fully AI-supported, front-desk-free hotel of the future will look like.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8p6Yn0EYiPM  Links:Sajid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shariffsajidDextr AI: https://www.dextr.ai/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/338 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

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About

Each episode we discuss industry trends, talk about new technologies, and speak to industry experts. All so that you, The Modern Hotelier, can succeed in a new age of hospitality.

Information

  • Creator
    David Millili & Steve Carran
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    346
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © David Millili & Steve Carran
  • Show Website
    The Modern Hotelier

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