No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News
Your home for No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman as well as Friday Night Audit and more! Each show features incredible hospitality leaders that educate and empower listeners.
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Wyndham’s New CDO David Wilner: Why New Construction Still Wins
03/20/2026
Wyndham’s New CDO David Wilner: Why New Construction Still Wins
For , I caught up with , newly appointed Chief Development Officer of , at the to talk development reality right now—conversion-heavy conditions, brand value pressure, and why he still won’t count new construction out. 👥 David keeps the mission simple: drive the best opportunities and returns for franchisees 🏷️ He talks brand value in a tighter market—owners look harder at what their flag and distribution actually deliver 🔄 He agrees it’s a conversion market right now, and he explains why that creates opportunity 🏗️ He refuses to count new construction out: real developers keep developing, and 36 months changes the whole picture 📉 He notes construction pricing has come down from the peak, even if it still sits above pre-pandemic levels 🧠 He makes the point I wish more people lived by: don’t let today’s environment talk you out of tomorrow’s opportunity
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Is the Economy Segment Turning? Red Roof President Weighs In
03/19/2026
Is the Economy Segment Turning? Red Roof President Weighs In
Economy and midscale owners don’t need shiny objects. They need tech that either drives revenue or cuts costs—period. For , I caught up with , President of , at to talk about why he’s leaning into tech now while demand softens—and what he thinks starts to turn. 📲 Zack explains the guest experience platform: guests text requests, staff stops playing phone-tag, and hotels fix issues before checkout 🧠 He talks ROI discipline: Red Roof only adopts tech that clearly drives revenue or clearly cuts costs 💳 He says franchisees asked for cheaper payment processing, so Red Roof partnered with at about half the cost—saving hotels hundreds per month 🔗 He ties the tech stack together: PMS-first (), then smoother integrations, faster execution, and direct connectivity that removes third-party fees 📈 He talks momentum: Q1 looks strong, March looks outstanding, and he sees the economy segment starting to shift after a long down cycle 🏗️ He adds the development note: new hotel signings ran 35% year-over-year last year 💵 He throws in a consumer indicator: IRS data shows average tax refunds up 14% year-over-year, and he expects more weekend drive trips Thanks to for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit .
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Hotel Costs Keep Rising And What That Means for Summer Travel
03/19/2026
Hotel Costs Keep Rising And What That Means for Summer Travel
America didn’t travel in America the way we expected last summer—because a lot of the spend went overseas. Now the calendar flips, the event slate stacks up, and the question becomes simple: who travels, where do they stay, and what does that do to performance? For , I talked with (SVP, Lodging Econometrics) from Atlanta on the eve of the about what he expects this year—World Cup momentum, America’s 250th anniversary, rising costs, and the “down-the-scale” shift that could help midscale and upper-midscale operators. ⚽ Bruce expects U.S. events to keep more travel domestic this year 💸 We talk cost pressure everywhere: gas, airfare/jet fuel, and what that does to trip decisions 🏨 Bruce thinks midscale and upper-midscale could benefit if travelers trade down to make trips work 🧑🍳 We hit the service squeeze: shortened restaurant hours, closed sections, and the “we’re short staffed” reality 💰 Bruce brings it back to owner math: monetize every square foot and take care of frequent guests and rewards members without nickel-and-diming Thanks to for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit .
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1023: How Conrad Orlando at Evermore Keeps Guests On Property Not in the Parks
03/19/2026
1023: How Conrad Orlando at Evermore Keeps Guests On Property Not in the Parks
Evermore is building an Orlando resort ecosystem: multiple hotels, a massive lagoon, and enough on-property programming that guests don’t treat the theme parks as the only “main event.” For #NoVacancyNews, I talked with Sean McCarron (General Manager, Conrad Orlando) about how Conrad fits inside Evermore—and what it takes to deliver luxury standards inside a new complex. 💎 Conrad Orlando becomes the first Conrad to earn AAA Five Diamond ⭐ Sean talks Forbes recognition and how the team keeps standards tight 🌊 He points to the Evermore centerpiece: the 17-million-gallon lagoon and the immediate “wow” when guests arrive 🍽️ He breaks down dining identity—each outlet needs its own reason to exist 🎟️ He explains how Evermore programming keeps people on-property: lawns, activations, kids crafts, live music, and more 🧖 He highlights the spa: water garden, hot/cold plunge pools, vitality pools, and an 11-room spa 🏢 He breaks down the business mix and why Evermore separates group space from leisure so both can win 🎢 He shares the real Orlando surprise: many guests spend less time at the parks and more time on-property once they arrive Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Customer Journey Series, Ch. 4: Building It With Your Team
03/18/2026
Customer Journey Series, Ch. 4: Building It With Your Team
Chapter 4 of this 6-part CoralTree Customer Journey series focuses on implementation - specifically, how you get property teams to build ideas they actually believe in and want to own. Hotels do not improve the customer journey by accident. They build it through strategy, systems, and execution. This chapter shows what the build process looks like. I talk with Kaitlin Broumpton, Director of Quality and Guest Experience Strategy at CoralTree Hospitality, about workshops, property-level ideation, and how CoralTree helps teams shape locally authentic moments instead of pushing top-down scripts. Here is what we cover: · How CoralTree runs workshops to bring the soul of a property to life · Why buy-in improves when teams have a seat at the table · How they refine ideas without forcing corporate templates · How local culture and brand pillars shape guest moments · Why the process works across property and regional teams · A Seaport Boston example: arrival cards + QR codes by travel motivation Catch up on Chapters 1-3 if you have not yet - this is where the strategy starts turning into property-level plans. Next week: how the guest actually experiences this through real touchpoints. Want to follow the full series and catch any chapters you miss while you're busy? Subscribe to the #NoVacancyNews newsletter by texting HOTEL to 66866. Thanks to Unifocus for supporting this series. Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com.
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Sunday Rewind: How a 16-Unit Idea Became One of America’s Largest Resort Experiences
03/15/2026
Sunday Rewind: How a 16-Unit Idea Became One of America’s Largest Resort Experiences
Westgate didn’t just build a resort — they built a small city of experiences. In this walking-tour episode, Glenn Haussman explores Westgate Vacation Villas in Orlando with Chief Business & Strategy Officer Jared Saft, starting at the original 16-unit building from the early 1980s and moving through the resort’s huge renovation and expansion. We visit the movie theater, the retail experiences designed by Starboard, the Chuck E. Cheese–powered arcade, the toddler zone, the retro arcade, the Mystery Funhouse throwbacks, the in-lobby candy shop with a waterslide running through it, and the multi-level Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Jared also shares how Westgate plans new concepts, how they think about every family member’s experience, and what’s next as they just added 40 new destinations during a major growth cycle. This episode is brought to you by Actabl — Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com. What we cover: 🏨: The origin story — from a 16-unit project to one of Florida’s largest resorts 🎬: How the in-lobby movie theater reduces check-in stress for families 👾: The Mystery Funhouse legacy and why nostalgia still excites kids 🍭: The ice-cream + donut + candy shop with a water slide running overhead 🌊: Shipwreck Island Waterpark, lazy rivers, and multi-level amenities 🍽️: How Westgate approaches F&B for families with mixed tastes 🚀: Westgate’s expansion strategy and why they act like entrepreneurs, not a big-box brand
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FNA 204: Will This Joke Lan?
03/14/2026
FNA 204: Will This Joke Lan?
This week the amazing Lan Elliott returns to FNA to laugh along Glenn, Craig and Doctor Producer Suzanne. This week Glenn is in Dallas and the gang reveals which pet peeves are moving on to the sweet 16!
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1021: Evermore Orlando Resort Solves Group Travel
03/12/2026
1021: Evermore Orlando Resort Solves Group Travel
Evermore doesn’t try to win every traveler. It commits to one niche: togetherness for families and groups. Then it builds the product around that focus—shared moments, easy flow, and enough space so the whole crew stays connected without feeling crowded. For #NoVacancyNews, I tour Evermore Resort Orlando and talk with the team behind the experiences. 👥 Elizabeth Mullins (President) explains the togetherness-first strategy and why Evermore complements the parks instead of competing with them 🌴 Rob Schultz shows how the lagoon stays the centerpiece while the heavy infrastructure disappears from the guest experience ⛳ Jeremy Craft walks through how the courses fit into a group trip as an option, not a separate vacation 🏡 Gina Geyer breaks down how the homes serve big groups while still pulling everyone into shared moments 🍽️ Vinny Cani explains how F&B supports groups who could cook in the house but still want experiences together 🍸 Mikey makes the “Summer of 69” and shows how the beach bar vibe turns a drink into a shared moment Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Ben Perelmuter Built the New Remington Team—Now It’s Time to Execute
03/11/2026
Ben Perelmuter Built the New Remington Team—Now It’s Time to Execute
I'm at ’s annual leadership conference - the first with serving as CEO. For , I caught up with Ben in the JFK Suite at the Hilton Fort Worth, a historic 100-plus-year-old property, and asked what he wants the team focused on right now. 👥 He lays out leadership structure and alignment across the organization, including as COO and as Chief Commercial Officer 🎤 Ben talks momentum from day one: welcome reception, sponsor luncheon, and key themes from the opening sessions 🏈 He previews tomorrow’s keynote with and jokes about studying football the night before 📈 He talks about uncertainty heading into 2026, but keeps the focus on fundamentals and execution 🧠 He emphasizes clear direction, explaining the “why,” and keeping teams aligned so leaders can act with confidence
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Customer Journey 3: Building a Hotel Guest Journey Framework That Still Feels Local
03/11/2026
Customer Journey 3: Building a Hotel Guest Journey Framework That Still Feels Local
Chapter 3 of this 6-part CoralTree Customer Journey series moves into the framework itself: how you create consistency across very different hotels without turning everything into cookie-cutter service. Customer journey work only matters if it improves operations, guest loyalty, and results. This chapter gets into the structure behind that. I talk with Andre Fournier, Chief Commercial Officer at CoralTree Hospitality, about Standards of Care, touchpoints from booking to departure, and how service rankings can influence ADR and consideration. Here is what we cover: · How CoralTree builds one service framework across different asset types · Why the goal is consistency of care, not identical experiences · Touchpoints from website/reservations to arrival, stay, and departure · Why each property still needs to feel authentic and of the place · Andre's filter: true, meaningful, and distinctive · How guest service rankings can support ADR and consideration set If you missed Chapters 1 and 2, go back first - this framework makes more sense once you've heard the strategy and people side. Next week: how CoralTree workshops these ideas with property teams. Want to follow the full series and catch any chapters you miss while it rolls out? Subscribe to the #NoVacancyNews newsletter by texting HOTEL to 66866. Thanks to Unifocus for supporting this series. Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com.
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1020: Inside The Boca Raton: Repositioning a 100-Year-Old Luxury Resort
03/10/2026
1020: Inside The Boca Raton: Repositioning a 100-Year-Old Luxury Resort
Repositioning a 100-year-old luxury resort hits different than building something new. You work with history, legacy expectations, and a modern guest who doesn’t care about any of that unless the experience delivers. Suzanne co-hosts with me, and we talk with Daniel Hostetler, President & CEO of The Boca Raton, about how the property has managed a multi-year repositioning under new ownership — what they changed, why they changed it, and how they operate it day to day. I’m sharing it under #NoVacancyNews. Here’s what we hit: 🏛️ They left a brand and run the resort independently under new ownership 🏗️ They knocked down a convention center, opening up land for a four-acre leisure-driven pool complex 🏨 They run five distinct lodging products across one campus (Beach Club, Tower, Cloister, Yacht Club, Bungalows) ⭐ They use Forbes standards as the operating baseline and build toward a multi–five-star goal 🎁 They push curated personalization: amenity closet + butlers instead of one-size-fits-all turndown 👥 Daniel talks promote-from-within and how they build consistency across a large team Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Sunday Flashback: Inside the Legendary Royal Sonesta New Orleans
03/08/2026
Sunday Flashback: Inside the Legendary Royal Sonesta New Orleans
Step inside the heart of Bourbon Street with Sonesta International Hotels’ Royal Sonesta New Orleans GM David Bilbe on . From historic charm to future renovations, this tour gives you a front-row seat to one of the most irreplaceable hotel assets in America. 🔹 Highlights: Growing up with Royal Sonesta — why this hotel holds personal meaning for GM David Bilby Fulfilling a dream: David’s journey to leading this iconic property What makes Royal Sonesta’s energy and vibe so different from other hotels Celebrating New Orleans traditions with Easter parades and local favorites The unforgettable guest arrival experience — energy that sets the tone instantly Touring the jazz club, oyster bar, and fine dining hotspot, Restaurant Revolution How long-time staff loyalty defines the hotel’s guest experience Balancing modern renovations with authentic New Orleans charm Finding calm in the hidden pool courtyard — a true oasis off Bourbon Street Stories of guests who return year after year for Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras, and beyond Special thanks to our advertiser Actabl — Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit ! ✅ Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more incredible behind-the-scenes hospitality stories!
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FNA 203: No Carreirao's in The World
03/07/2026
FNA 203: No Carreirao's in The World
Big show tonight as we kick off the weekend happy hour celebration. We're joined by our friend Paula Carreirao live from Brazil and Glenn, Craig and Doctor Producer Suzanne torture her with an update on the Round of 32 for our Hotel Pet Peeves Face off. vote now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R26KPKV
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How Airlift Drives Hotel Demand in the Caribbean
03/06/2026
How Airlift Drives Hotel Demand in the Caribbean
Wyndham doesn’t treat Latin America like one market. Growth concentrates in specific places, and execution decides who wins. For #NoVacancyNews, I talked with Gustavo Viescas (President, Latin America, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts) at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Puerto Rico about where Wyndham sees momentum across Latin America and the Caribbean. 🏷️ He explains how a large brand portfolio matches different market realities 🏝️ He ties Rio Mar to the experience strategy: culture + nature, and why resorts have to feel “of the place” 🏙️ He talks growth across resorts, all-inclusive, and city hotels, including secondary markets 🇩🇴 He calls the Dominican Republic the hottest Wyndham market the last few years and ties it to public/private alignment ✈️ He points to airlift as a growth lever and how expanded connectivity supports demand
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1019: SBA Loans for Hotel Owners: AAHOA Pushes From $5M To $10M
03/05/2026
1019: SBA Loans for Hotel Owners: AAHOA Pushes From $5M To $10M
AAHOA heads to Philadelphia for #AAHOACON26, and this year’s theme stays dead simple: protect and advance profitability. Suzanne Bagnera, PhD, CHA, CED co-hosts #NOVacancyNews with me, and we talk with Laura Lee Blake (President & CEO, AAHOA) about what she wants owners focused on right now—and why this conference keeps growing. 🏛️ Philadelphia ties to the 250th anniversary of the U.S., and Laura Lee ties that to AAHOA members pursuing the American dream 📈 Laura Lee puts the pressure on the table: expenses up 7–10% while revenues stay flat 🎯 AAHOA builds sessions around profitability and “what to do next,” not theory 🎓 The collegiate championship returns for year three, with students defending decisions “Shark Tank style” on stage 🎤 Keynote highlight: Paul Brown, co-founder/CEO of Inspire Brands (Arby’s, Dunkin’, Sonic, etc.) 🏛️ Capitol Hill push: AAHOA backs legislation to raise SBA loan limits from $5M to $10M 🧰 Trade show scale keeps growing: 500+ vendors expected Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Customer Journey 2: How Empowered Hotel Teams Improve Guest Experience
03/04/2026
Customer Journey 2: How Empowered Hotel Teams Improve Guest Experience
Chapter 2 of this 6-part CoralTree Customer Journey series gets into the part a lot of companies talk about and then struggle to execute: team empowerment. Customer journey work sounds soft until you tie it to labor, service consistency, guest loyalty, and revenue. This chapter gets into the people side that makes the strategy work. I talk with Sean Beucler, SVP of Operations at CoralTree Hospitality, about trust, recognition, decision-making, and how leaders build a culture where teams can act with confidence. Here is what we cover: · Why Sean says the biggest focus now is the team, not just the process · What real empowerment looks like in hotel operations · Why recognition drives repeated behavior · How leaders handle mistakes without killing trust · How guest experience connects to occupancy, ADR, and owner results · Why the best ideas often come from line-level teams Missed Chapter 1? Start there first - it sets up the leadership strategy behind this week's operations conversation. Next week: we move into the standards/framework and the commercial impact. Want to follow the full series and catch any chapters you miss along the way? Subscribe to the #NoVacancyNews newsletter by texting HOTEL to 66866. Thanks to Unifocus for supporting this series. Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit Unifocus.com.
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1018: Hoteliers - Don’t Get Buried in AI Search — Do This First
03/03/2026
1018: Hoteliers - Don’t Get Buried in AI Search — Do This First
Everybody keeps saying “AI” like it’s one thing. It isn’t. Suzanne co-hosts with me for this one, and we bring in Ira Vouk, someone we constantly see on the conference circuit. Ira teaches, writes, and helps companies make sense of what’s coming, so we asked her for actionable insights instead of ponderous theory. I’m sharing it here on #NoVacancyNews because hotels need practical moves, not more theory. We stick to a few things that actually matter: 🤖 AI isn’t new — but 2022 changed who can use it and how fast it spreads 🔎 Search and distribution change first, so hotels need to make their own websites readable to machines 🧼 Ira calls out “AI-washing” and pushes a simple filter: where does AI show up, what’s the use case, and what ROI do you get Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Global Hotel Pipeline: What Brands See vs What Owners Feel
03/02/2026
Global Hotel Pipeline: What Brands See vs What Owners Feel
Global hotel “conditions” don’t hit everyone the same way. The big franchise companies play a global game. Most owners play a street-corner game with one asset and one set of debt terms. That gap matters. I talked with (SVP, ) about the global pipeline and the economic forces shaping what actually gets built, renovated, or converted right now. I’m sharing it under . 💸 Inflation shows up everywhere: it costs the average American family about $1,000 more this year, and it costs about 25% more to run a hotel now than at the start of the pandemic 🏦 Debt still drives decisions: even when rates move, owners still have to make the math work on acquisitions, renovations, and conversions 🔧 The world leans hard into existing assets: Bruce sees about 2.5x more renovations/conversions globally than rooms under construction for new hotels 🏷️ Brands push harder on PIPs and standards again, and owners push to monetize every revenue dollar per square foot 🏨 We zoom out on what “global” means for the majors: pipeline scale, brand portfolios, and why Hilton/Marriott/IHG think differently than a single-property owner ✨ Then we hit the fun part: what the global pipeline says about luxury, lifestyle, extended stay, dual-branding, and where the big flags grow next Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. gives you the power to profit. Visit .
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Sunday Flashback: Mitch Patel's 'Vision' on Building a Stronger Culture and Hotel Growth
03/01/2026
Sunday Flashback: Mitch Patel's 'Vision' on Building a Stronger Culture and Hotel Growth
From October 2025 Recorded live at the Southern Lodging Summit this past August as part of the keynote luncheon, Mitch Patel, President & CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, sat down with Glenn Haussman to share his journey from a single $3,000 investment to leading one of the most respected hotel companies in the U.S. In this conversation, Mitch explains: Why operational excellence and team culture are the true foundations of success How Vision Hospitality keeps growing even when the market tightens What “building a brick house” really means for long-term profitability How to inspire the next generation to find purpose in 🎙️ Sponsored by Actabl — giving hoteliers the tools and data to drive real . 👉 Learn more at actabl.com
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FNA 202: Type 202 Meltdown
02/28/2026
FNA 202: Type 202 Meltdown
Quite frankly we're scared about this one. Fortunbately the iconic Dorraine Lallani is back to bring class to this mess of a happy hour show. Glenn, Craig and Suzanne are a bit scared for the quick return of Pink Pony Club founder Patty Jefferson because they're worried they don't have what it takes to horse around.
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1017: Hotel Pipeline Update - Conversions vs New Construction Across the Americas
02/26/2026
1017: Hotel Pipeline Update - Conversions vs New Construction Across the Americas
Conversions still beat new construction in a lot of markets right now, so I wanted to get specific on what Bruce Ford sees across the Americas pipeline. I talked with Bruce Ford (SVP, Lodging Econometrics) about where projects are moving, where they’re stalling, and what owners/operators/investors should watch in Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. for #NoVacancyNews. Here’s what we cover: 🏗️ Canada shows roughly 2x as many renovation/conversion rooms as rooms under construction 🇨🇦 Bruce explains where he still sees room to grow in Canada, especially upper midscale and upscale 🌎 In Latin America, he points to uneven activity, with stronger momentum in Mexico than some other markets 🏝️ We talk Caribbean resort redevelopment, including repositioning and storm-related rebuild activity 🏨 Bruce explains why soft brands matter when owners want local character plus distribution power 🇺🇸 In the U.S., renovations/conversions still run at about 2x rooms under construction 📉 He says the market likely needs another rate cut or two before more projects move into the ground ⚽ We also hit World Cup city activity and why smart developers don’t build around one event alone 💬 Bruce asks what topics you want next: cities, regions, new construction, renovations, or broader real estate trends Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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1016: 2026 Hotel Outlook - World Cup Demand, Travel Shifts, and Conversions
02/26/2026
1016: 2026 Hotel Outlook - World Cup Demand, Travel Shifts, and Conversions
To kick off the week, I wanted a hard look behind the numbers. We hear a lot of takes—so what’s real and what’s not? I called our buddy (SVP, ) to pressure-test World Cup demand, international travel, and the conversion-brand land grab for the crowd. Here’s what we put numbers on: ⚽ 2026 World Cup: 48 teams across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada 🌍 International plane arrivals are about 6% down 🚗 Canadian trips to the U.S. down about 22–23% 💸 2026 operator reality: work the P&L and monetize every square foot 🤖 Booking changes in 2–3 years, with AI in the mix 🏷️ Brand strategy: more conversion deals and more “white space” flags Thanks to for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit .
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Customer Journey Series, Ch. 1: Why Hotel Guest Journey Matters More Than Ever
02/25/2026
Customer Journey Series, Ch. 1: Why Hotel Guest Journey Matters More Than Ever
We're exploring maximizing Customer Journey opportunity!!!! To kick off this 6-part Customer Journey series, I wanted to start at the top: why this matters now and how leadership turns better service into an actual company-wide plan. We'll be focusing on how is leveraging tech to connect with customers. In Chapter 1, I talk with , President of CoralTree Hospitality, about why CoralTree spent a year building this strategy and how they are thinking about customized guest experiences at scale. Here is what we cover: · Why CoralTree made the guest journey a priority now · Why they spent a full year building buy-in instead of rushing rollout · How they built a real plan (not a one-time initiative) · Standards of Care vs. standard procedures · How they balance technology with high-touch service · Why continuous improvement matters as guest behavior changes Next week: we get into the operational backbone - empowerment, trust, and team culture. Want to follow the full series week by week (and catch any chapters you miss)? Subscribe to the newsletter by texting HOTEL to 66866. Thanks to for supporting this series. Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit .
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How Rio Mar Repositioned a 607-Acre Resort Around Experiences
02/24/2026
How Rio Mar Repositioned a 607-Acre Resort Around Experiences
Puerto Rico rainforest on one side. Ocean on the other. A 607-acre resort in the middle. I talked with Chris Sariego, COO of LionGrove, at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar about how they used a $70 million reinvention to reposition the property around eco-experiences, expand amenity appeal, and keep more spend on-property. 🌿 Chris explains how they stopped treating it like “just a big hotel” and rebuilt it as a destination resort tied to the local ecosystem 🧪 They brought in local scientists and environmentalists to shape guest programming around the environment 🐢 They now run protection efforts for three endangered turtle species that nest on the property 🚣 Chris describes a sunrise kayak route that runs river → ocean → reef and stays entirely on-property in about two hours 🏖️ He lays out the scale: 607 acres, two miles of beach, rainforest access, and a full resort amenity mix 🍽️ The property includes 15 restaurants, spa, casino, multiple pools, golf, racquet center, and more 🎰 He also highlights the adult side: a new casino, a speakeasy/cabaret concept, and an adults-only pool with butler service + DJs 👨👩👧👦 And they built it to work for families too, with kids programming, water slides, and toddler splash areas
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A $300,000 Liquor Order: Building a Premium Hotel Bar
02/20/2026
A $300,000 Liquor Order: Building a Premium Hotel Bar
A speakeasy bar with an actual vault door sits off the casino floor at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar. I walk in, meet Michael “Mac” MacDonnell, Vice President of F&B & Entertainment with LionGrove, and we turn it into a “quick chat” that somehow includes popcorn in a martini. #NoVacancyNews 🍸 Mac breaks down the Vault Martini: Belvedere vodka, yellow Chartreuse, orange bitters, popcorn, plus a tableside pour 🧠 He talks “threshold of pain” pricing—how far you push before the guest taps out 🪑 He explains why the Vault runs different than the other outlets: 55 seats, niche vibe, connoisseur guest 🥃 We get into rum country decisions: rare bottles, allocated product, and why relationships matter 💰 He drops the kind of number that makes operators blink: a $300,000 opening liquor order 👀 He shows what “details matter” looks like: glassware, presentation, bartenders who command attention 🕺 He talks training: a full month of coaching so the team performs, not just pours 🌴 We pivot into tropical fun with a tiki-style drink inspired by the Soggy Dollar Bar in the BVI ☕ Then the closer hits: “The Fortified” — local coffee + butter-washed rum + 24-hour prep… and it becomes the #1 seller 🧪 And yes, I taste everything “for scientific purposes” because I take research very seriously
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1015: Inside Black Desert Resort - The Pricing and Demand Playbook
02/19/2026
1015: Inside Black Desert Resort - The Pricing and Demand Playbook
Black Desert Resort shows what “demand drivers” look like when you actually build them. Today we look at Modern luxury on #NoVacancyNews I walk the property with Nicholas Gold, Managing Director, in Ivins (greater St. George / greater Zion), Utah. 🏨 Nick gives the basics: ~600 keys, restaurants/banquets, pool, spa, and a serious golf operation ⛳ They opened just over a year ago and already hosted two PGA tournaments and an LPGA tournament 🏌️♂️ Nick says three more 18-hole courses are coming, plus a practice facility 🌊 They’re building a $60M, 4.5-acre water park for guests and members only 💰 We talk why that “velvet rope” access helps residential sales and supports premium transient pricing 🍽️ Nick’s F&B rule stays simple: make it good, then match concepts to the guest profile and the local market 🧑🤝🧑 Hiring: Nick hires attitude and personality over skills and uses the eye-contact/smile test as the price of entry 🧗 The adventure program creates differentiated experiences (including 4x4 access up to a via ferrata) 🧖 The spa leans into recovery: cryo, salt inhalation, recovery lounge, sauna/steam, plus outdoor options 🏗️ The resort uses multiple buildings, bell rides, and guest bikes to keep circulation easy at scale Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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Hotel Safety Tech: Reporting Suspicious Activity Without Friction
02/18/2026
Hotel Safety Tech: Reporting Suspicious Activity Without Friction
Hotels train teams to spot human trafficking and other suspicious activity. Training alone doesn’t solve the handoff problem. #NoVacancyNews I talk with Georgine Muntz (CEO) and Patty Jefferson (Chief Revenue Officer) at Visual Matrix about building reporting into the workflow so staff can act fast without leaving their job to go hunt down a manager. 🧠 Georgine says customers asked for better tracking and reporting of suspicious activity on property, including human trafficking 🧾 She points out the gap: training ends with “report it to your manager,” but real life turns that into a paper form or a forgotten conversation 🧹 They build a quick “suspicious activity” alert so a housekeeper or maintenance tech can tap a button, add a note, take a photo if relevant, and move on 🔁 Patty emphasizes shift continuity: the alert carries forward so the next shift stays informed instead of starting cold 🌍 We talk language barriers and how tech can help with translation so details don’t get lost 🚨 They already include a panic button inside the same application 🚬 The beta users pushed it beyond trafficking: smoking in rooms, pets, and other issues where you need documentation and follow-through
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AI at Check-In: What Hotels Can Actually Do
02/17/2026
AI at Check-In: What Hotels Can Actually Do
I’m recording this from a hotel room because that’s where I live now. I keep hearing “AI” in every hotel conversation, so I pulled in Kevin Duncan, Executive Vice President, Product at Cendyn to talk about what actually works—especially at the front desk. 🤖 Kevin explains how Cendyn connects guest data across CRM, CRS, and other systems so teams work from one guest profile instead of disconnected records 🧠 He talks about using AI to add predictability: what the guest will do next and how the hotel can respond 🛎️ He breaks down front-desk modules that sit on top of the PMS and prompt agents with what the guest prefers so personalization happens in the moment 🏃 He uses a simple example: he runs and uses fitness centers, but hotels still miss that preference even after repeat stays 🍷 We talk privacy and where “helpful” turns into “creepy,” plus why opt-in matters 💰 We connect personalization to loyalty and revenue: guests come back when the hotel gets the personal touch right 🧩 He explains Cendyn’s content hub concept: keep branding and messaging consistent across digital touchpoints
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1014: Wahlburgers CEO on What They Fixed to Grow
02/17/2026
1014: Wahlburgers CEO on What They Fixed to Grow
Wahlburgers cleans up the messy parts of growth so quality stays non-negotiable. I’m in Las Vegas with Randy Sharpe, CEO, President, and board member of Wahlburgers. He breaks down what he changed, what he cut, and how he plans growth without letting the brand drift. 🍔 Randy talks about meeting Mark Wahlberg through a luncheon tied to a tequila investment—and how that turned into the CEO role 🧑🍳 He ties the brand back to Chef Paul Wahlberg, Alma Nove, and the burger-first obsession behind the concept (15-year anniversary later this year) ✅ He explains the reset: new ops leadership, tighter standards, and cutting franchise operators who didn’t meet the bar 📋 He describes the cleanup that mattered: 17 different menus down to a clearer core 🏪 He connects restaurants to retail (I first tried the burgers at Stop & Shop) and why he refuses frozen 🧭 He lays out the four models: full-service bar & grill, counter service, captive markets (casinos), and airports 🛫 He talks airports specifically: Logan, Detroit Metro, Sarasota-Bradenton next, and more in the pipeline 📦 He explains pricing by market—but keeps quality consistent everywhere, including a single standardized burger patty supply nationwide 🧰 He shares how retail follows expansion (including a Florida partnership with Home Depot locations driving grocery interest) Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com.
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How CoralTree Affinity Teams Create Wins
02/16/2026
How CoralTree Affinity Teams Create Wins
This week I attended ’s Leadership Forum at and spent time with , Chief Commercial Officer, about what this event should accomplish once people go back to their hotels on . Andre explains why CoralTree brings its leaders together, how the company onboarded more than 100 new leaders this year, and how Affinity Teams share real-world ideas across properties. We also talk about why CoralTree puts owners and operators in the same room and what that changes at the property level. We cover: 👥: Why CoralTree uses the forum to align a fast-growing leadership team 🧪: How Affinity Teams work as hands-on learning groups 🏨: What changes when owners and operators sit in the same room 🧭: How “Serving from the Heart” shows up in daily work 🏆: Why recognition still matters 📈: How operational execution connects to financial reality
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