ARK Hospitality on Growth Without Losing Culture
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
It’s one thing to grow your business. It’s another to grow without losing your culture — and that’s exactly what ARK Hospitality Group is determined to prove. I spoke with Lisa Lombardo, President of ARK Hospitality Group, about how her team is scaling hotels and restaurants while keeping authenticity, care, and human connection at the center of every decision. We break it all down on #NoVacancyNews, including how ARK identifies people who truly fit its purpose-driven culture, the interview question that reveals someone’s values immediately, and why caring for people isn’t a...
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Sage Hospitality’s Tech Strategy: Experience, Bandwidth, and the Future of Luxury
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Luxury hospitality isn’t just about marble lobbies anymore — it’s about creating seamless, hyper-personalized experiences powered by the right technology. I spoke with Matt Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer at Sage Hospitality, about how his team is merging design, comfort, and digital expectations to deliver the kind of experience guests now expect at home — from streaming and smart controls to ultra-fast connectivity. We break it all down on #NoVacancyNews, including why bandwidth is the unsung hero of guest satisfaction, how AI and facial recognition could reshape the arrival...
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India’s Hotel Boom: What Western Brands Are Betting on Next
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Everyone’s been talking about China’s hotel growth — but the real story right now might be happening in India. I caught up with Bruce Ford of Lodging Econometrics about how India has quietly become one of the world’s fastest-growing hotel markets, and why nearly every major Western brand now has an expansion plan there. We break it all down on #NoVacancyNews, from the rise of soft brands and master franchise deals to how conversions and white-label management are fueling a development surge that’s doubling the country’s pipeline in just two years. 👋 Special thanks to Actabl —...
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Mocktails, Margins & Menu Magic: The Magical F&B Profit Formula
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Margins are tight, costs are up, and yet one of the biggest opportunities for might be right in the lobby — the bar and restaurant. I connected with and of to talk about how they’re using food and beverage as a profit engine rather than a cost center — and why now is the time for operators to get creative. We break it all down on , from mocktail menus to lighting, sound, service training, and Instagram-worthy presentation. Because even small improvements — 1 to 2 points of margin — add up fast when done across a portfolio. 👋 Special thanks to for powering this...
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988: WaterWalk’s Big Move: Hybrid Living Meets Wyndham Power
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Extended stay has officially graduated from niche to superstar status — and WaterWalk is leading its next evolution. Today, Anthony and I spoke with Mimi Oliver, CEO of WaterWalk, about how her family — starting with her grandfather, Jack DeBoer, the pioneer behind Residence Inn — invented then reinventing the category for decades. Today, WaterWalk takes that legacy further with a flexible hybrid model blending fully furnished and unfurnished suites to fit every guest and every market cycle. We break it all down on #NoVacancyNews — from how the model drove 70% occupancy during COVID to...
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How BWH Hotels Is Reimagining Hotel Tech & Taking On the AI Booking Shift
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Front desks are evolving fast. Search behavior is changing even faster. Hospitality is staring at a major technology turning point — and those who move now will own the next era of bookings. I connected with Bill Ryan, Chief Technology Officer at BWH Hotels, to talk about how the company is modernizing its tech stack, reducing training time, simplifying payments, and preparing for a future where travelers begin planning inside AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. We break it all down on #NoVacancyNews, including how intuitive systems free staff to focus on guests, why one-day onboarding...
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987: Inside Hilton Anaheim: How GM Sergio Keeps the Magic Alive Every Day
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Ever wonder what it takes to run one of the busiest hotels in America — right next to #Disneyland? 🏰 For #NoVacancyNews, Suzanne Bagnera and I caught up with Sergio Bocci, GM of the Hilton Anaheim, who somehow manages to keep this massive operation running smoothly while making it all look easy. From balancing staff morale to guest expectations (and the occasional family meltdown after a long park day), Sergio’s mastered the art of calm under pressure. This conversation is all about leadership, hospitality, and staying human in a business that never stops moving. Huge thanks to my...
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The Great Hospitality Squeeze: Mark Carrier on Surviving Margin Pressure & Finding Real Opportunity
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Costs are rising. Guests are stressed. Owners are squeezed. And hotels? They’re juggling labor inflation, insurance spikes, debt pressure, and renovations delayed since… well, that period we all swore we’d never talk about again. For I spoke with , President of , to reveal what hotel owners really face today — and where smart operators find opportunity when everyone feels the pinch. And yes, we talk about the vibe shift in development, stalled pipelines, conversions, and why intermediation costs + guest data may be the real battleground ahead. Also yes: I slipped in a joke about...
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Latin America’s Luxury Hotel Boom: Lodging Econometrics' Ford Breaks Pipeline Down
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Latin America is in the middle of a powerful hotel development surge, particularly in luxury and resort properties — and the numbers tell a compelling story. In this episode, Glenn Haussman talks with Bruce Ford of Lodging Econometrics about the real data driving expansion in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America — and why developers, brands, and third-party operators are racing to scale in the region. We dig into: 300+ hotels now under construction Why luxury leads — and why it's different than the U.S. Riviera Maya + DR + Mexico City as development engines...
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BONUS! How innovation is redefining the guest experience
No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
For decades I've preached getting closer to guests. Now, can make it so. (yes, Captain Picard reference). I've partnered with my friends at for a fast paced discussion on how are using tech not just to enhance the stay — but to understand guest behaviors, increase satisfaction, and unlock new revenue streams. What a group we've assembled! , President, Hospitality with ; , Chief Commercial Officer; , CEO of and AVP Market Development with for Hospitality. I hope you enjoy hearing this special episode available only as an audio podcast
info_outlineIn today’s bonus episode, we speak with Sky Tucker of Bartech Systems International. Glenn gets schooled in minibars and the guys go through all the classic arguments why investing in minibars is a horrible thing to do. Truths revealed about how this amenity influences guest satisfaction, while creating a new profit center. Sky also shares combat duplicitous guests looking to steal minibar booze.
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