Mental health in hospitality often remains a taboo subject. Yet it affects professionals across every level of the industry.
Tune in for an honest conversation about burnout, leadership, resilience, and recovery between Linus Fredberg, Regional Director of Revenue Management La Maison-Northern Europe, and Oaky’s Clément Dénarié.
Linus shares his deeply personal journey of overcoming challenges and finding his way back to balance.
💬 Key insights you’ll take away:
Why mental health conversations matter more than ever in hospitality
Red flags leaders can watch for in their teams
How culture and teamwork impact resilience
Practical habits to protect your energy at work
A refreshing perspective on prioritizing what truly matters in life and in business:
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Can a hotel brand expand rapidly without losing its identity? Leonardo Hotels’ journey proves just that. With 23 new properties acquired this year alone, the group has been growing quickly from a regional brand to a European leader.
And who better to share insights into this exciting journey than Jean Buche, Vice President of Revenue Management for Central Europe at Leonardo Hotels?
Tune in to the latest episode of LowKey by Oaky and discover:
How to navigate fast-paced portfolio expansion
How to maintain a cohesive identity while tailoring guest experiences to local markets
Why trust is the foundation of successful leadership in hospitality
What it takes to launch sub-brands in competitive urban markets
Jean’s personal reflections on leadership and mindset that anyone navigating complex growth can apply.
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Poor communication is the silent killer of hotel profits. That’s the hard truth shared by Alex Slors, Founder and Managing Director of Alex Slors Consulting, in our latest episode of LowKey by Oaky, hosted by Oaky’s CEO and Co-founder, Erik Tengen.
With decades of experience bridging the gap between owners, operators, brands, and investors, Alex unpacks why communication isn’t just a soft skill but a strategic lever that directly impacts your bottom line.
🎥 Watch on YouTube: [Insert link] 🎧 Listen on Spotify: [Insert link]
What you’ll learn:
Why the asset manager’s role is more “glue” than “commander” or “general”
How alignment between owners, brands, and hotel teams drives long-term value
How poor communication quickly erodes EBITDA
The risks of letting brand or ownership agendas overshadow hotel performance
Surprising parallels between asset managers and startup CEOs
When brands should push back and say “no” to owners
Why hotel employees are the most overlooked stakeholders and why that needs to change
And more!
What is the difference between what guests truly want and what hotels believe their guests want?
We’ve got the answer in our latest LowKey by Oaky episode featuring none other than Danica Smith, CEO & Founder of MorningStar GX and an expert in the guest experience.
Danica breaks down the blind spots hospitality leaders often overlook and explains how to bridge these gaps to meet modern guests’ expectations.
What you will learn:
What true personalization means and why tech is only half of the puzzle.
How internal silos undermine the guest experience.
How to align your team to fulfill the brand promise.
The real difference between guest needs and desires, and why fulfilling guests’ desires is essential for building loyalty.
Why the future of hospitality is emotion-led and what that means for the guest experience you design.
Why do some hotel teams thrive while others fail? In this LowKey episode, Philip Steiner, COO for the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, and Portugal at Cycas Hospitality, and Erik Tengen, Oaky’s CEO and Co-founder, discuss the secrets of building high-performing teams. Get ready to uncover unique insights from Philip on leadership, team building, and creating a culture of positive empowerment and motivation. What you will learn: - Why planning and structure are the foundations of effective team building- Why diversity is a game-changer in creating high-performing teams- How Philip transformed the Bankside Hotel team into a TripAdvisor top performer by fostering a positive and empowering environment- Philip’s approach to handling constant challenges in hospitality- And more nuggets of wisdom and fresh perspectives on team building. Discover other episodes: https://oaky.com/en/hospitality-podcast-lowkey-by-oaky Follow us on social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/1MwAWFaykVu7O7YlMpUOSE?si=f4dbbc7b69ed443e https://www.instagram.com/oakynews/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oaky/ https://www.facebook.com/oakynews/ https://twitter.com/oakynews
What if your guests could choose to book directly over OTAs every time?
In this episode of LowKey by Oaky, we dive deeper into the secrets of driving direct bookings and building guest loyalty with Diego Fernández Pérez de Ponga, CEO of Port Hotels and author of The Art of Revenue, joined by Pablo Torres, Hospitality Consultant and Oaky’s Front Desk Upselling Coach.
Get ready to discover:
Data is a cornerstone of revenue management, and it becomes even more crucial as you move toward embracing total revenue management.
In this episode of the LowKey by Oaky podcast, Rebekka Berger, Director of Revenue and Business Performance at Hotel Okura Amsterdam, provides an inside scoop on how she and her team use data to optimize revenue, refine offerings, and deliver exceptional guest service.
Together with Oaky’s Saahil Karkera, VP of Customer Success, they discuss:
The difference between traditional revenue management and total revenue management
Why a total revenue management strategy is essential for profitability
The challenges of data collection and management and how Hotel Okura tackles them
How Hotel Okura Amsterdam navigates and analyzes data for data-driven decisions
How guest demographic data is used to enhance service and drive profitability
And much more!
Generating more revenue is just one piece of the revenue puzzle. Another key piece is optimizing your VAT strategy. In this episode of LowKey by Oaky, we sat down with Martin Morawski, VAT Lawyer and Partner at Hamelink & Van den Tooren, to explore practical VAT optimization strategies to drive profitability. With extensive experience working with OTAs, booking platforms, and major hotel chains, Martin shares insider tips to help you see VAT not as a compliance burden but as an opportunity. Together with Oaky’s Erik Tengen, they dive deeper into: - Impactful VAT optimization strategies enabling hotels to save more - How to optimize your cancellation policies with VAT in mind - How to turn bundles and packages into profit opportunities - What’s on the horizon and how to stay prepared for upcoming VAT changes. Discover other episodes: https://oaky.com/en/hospitality-podcast-lowkey-by-oaky Follow us on social media: https://open.spotify.com/show/1MwAWFaykVu7O7YlMpUOSE?si=f4dbbc7b69ed443e https://www.instagram.com/oakynews/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oaky/ https://www.facebook.com/oakynews/ https://twitter.com/oakynews
Is only one person on your team actively upselling at the front desk?
Or maybe you’re facing resistance or low motivation from your team when trying to implement a front desk upselling strategy?
The good news is, that with the right approach, you can leave these challenges behind. In this episode of the LowKey podcast, Pablo Torres, a hospitality expert, author, and Oaky’s new front desk upselling coach, shares practical strategies to help set up your entire team for success.
Together with Oaky’s Erik Tengen, they dive deeper into:
Why front desk upselling matters in today’s hospitality industry
How a front desk upselling consultant can help hotels uncover and address challenges that hold them back from executing a winning upselling strategy
How to turn your front desk agents into top sales performers
Traditional vs. next-generation upselling
How technology can make upselling more consistent, fun, and rewarding for hotel teams
Real stories and anecdotes from Pablo’s 14-year career consulting career.
What are API-first platforms, and how are they different from regular PMSs with API capabilities? What benefits do they bring to hotels, and how are they shaping the future of hospitality?
Our latest podcast episode of LowKey is the perfect place to find answers to these questions. Hear from our guest, Ulrich Pillau, Founder and CEO of Apaleo, a seasoned hotel industry expert, joined by Oaky’s CEO and Co-Founder, Erik Tengen.
The episode sheds light on:
The difference between API-first platforms and regular hotel PMSs
The shift from closed hotel technology to more open platforms that allow for enhanced flexibility and scalability
Aspects that API-first platforms prioritize, such as the instant availability of functions and self-service capabilities, and their impact on the efficiency of hotel operations
Real-world migration success stories and examples of transitioning from traditional PMS to Apaleo.
Creating a hotel budget is a complex process that involves coordinating many different elements.
To make this process easier for you, we’ve taken a closer look at all the budget aspects you need to consider to ensure your budget plan is robust. Our guest Gaby Maaswinkel-vd Bosch, Regional Director of Revenue Optimization for Central Europe & Prize by Radisson, will walk you through the ins and outs of creating an effective hotel budget.
What you will learn:
What are the key elements to consider when preparing a budget for the upcoming year?
How extensive experience in revenue management has changed Gaby’s approach to budgeting.
How much time is needed to complete a budget, and how collaboration between various departments plays a vital role in its creation.
How to forecast revenue and expenses to ensure the budget is accurate and realistic.
And much more…
Luxury travel is booming in the Asia-Pacific region. But how can you stand out from the competition and attract affluent travelers specifically to your hotel? 🌴
Together with Saahil Karkera, VP of Customer Success at Oaky, and Marjorie Tann, Customer Success Manager, we will dive deeper into how getting a creative edge can help you thrive in the competitive market.
What you will discover:
✅ How the luxury travel segment has evolved in recent years, and what new trends are emerging
✅ How creative offerings can help you stand out in the competitive APAC luxury travel market
✅ Why personalized and authentic local experiences are important for attracting high-net-worth travelers
✅ How a Revenue Manager can effectively present and convince a General Manager to experiment with creative upselling solutions.
✅ Real-world examples of successful room upgrade offerings and F&B deals.
Ever wondered how you can decode the guest journey at its best? We have the answers! Join our host Cristina, Head of Marketing, and guest Nada, Key Account Manager at Oaky, for a new, exciting episode of LowKey by Oaky as they dive into the evolving customer journey in hospitality. Learn more about: - How guest expectations have changed over the years and how hotels can adapt to meet these new demands. - Ways to create excitement for guests right from the start of their journey with a hotel. - How account managers can go beyond technical support to significantly enhance the guest experience. - The role of technology in enhancing the guest experience and how to balance tech use with personalised service.
Welcome to episode #18 of LowKey Hospitality Podcast, our easygoing sessions for hotel professionals where we chat about industry trends, issues and solutions.
Get ready to dive into:
How collaboration drives innovation, enhances guest experiences, and builds brand credibility.
Identifying current industry challenges and potential areas for collaboration
Successful collaborations in the industry and outside, like Pestana Hotels and Cristiano Ronaldo, or Michael Jordan and Nike.
Practical tips on building and maintaining strong partnerships, as well as the key elements for successful collaboration.
Exploring the benefits of inclusive collaborations and the risks of exclusivity.
Welcome to episode #17 of LowKey Hospitality Podcast, our easygoing sessions for hotel professionals where we chat about industry trends, issues and solutions.
Looking to maximise your hotel room types and cater to a diverse range of guest preferences?
Join us on the latest episode of the LowKey Hospitality Podcast, featuring Gail Peters, Head of Revenue at the Q Hotels Collection, and Allison Chambers, Sales Manager at Oaky, as we delve into strategies for optimising room types to elevate guest experiences and drive profitability.
In this episode, we explore:
The importance of customisation and personalisation in tailoring room types to varying guest needs.
Strategies for hotels to efficiently leverage their room offerings to accommodate various budget ranges and guest preferences.
Understanding the key processes involved in optimising room types within a hotel.
Maximising revenue through effective pricing strategies for diverse room types while maintaining optimal occupancy rates.
Leveraging technology and online platforms to enrich the guest booking journey and boost revenue streams.
Join Michiel Bogaert, Revenue and Distribution Manager at Pillows Hotels, and Clement Denarie, Chief Revenue Officer at Oaky, on 30 April at 11:30 AM CET to discover how a strong upselling culture inspires the Pillows Hotels team and how you can effectively implement it at your hotel.
Gain valuable insights into:
Fundamentals for building a thriving upselling culture at your hotel
Strategies Pillows Hotels used from the outset to establish a robust upselling culture and overcome implementation challenges
The hotel's strategies and best practices for seamlessly integrating upselling into hotel operations, enhancing guest experiences, and increasing revenue
Innovative methods for motivating teams by using automation at the front desk to elevate team satisfaction and performance.
Why is overbooking an essential revenue management strategy at hotels? And how to manage it effectively?
Discover how Accor approaches it in our upcoming LowKey by Oaky podcast episode featuring Clément Deplanche, Director of Revenue Strategy at Accor. In this episode, we'll explore:
✅ The impact of overbooking on revenue
✅ Handling overbookings while keeping guest satisfaction at the forefront
✅ Developing a strategic approach to overbooking
✅ Leveraging technology to mitigate potential negative impacts
...and much more!
Welcome to episode #14 of LowKey Hospitality Podcast, our easygoing sessions for hotel professionals where we chat about industry trends, issues and solutions.
Tune in to discover the 2024 trends shaping the hotel tech industry. Together with Ashley Williams, General Manager at Mitel, we will delve into all the insights to prepare you for the year ahead:
The power of AI: how advanced technology can help with operational efficiencies and guest experience personalisation
How to strike the right balance between AI and human touch
Data-driven decisions: how to harness the power of data for your hotel's success
Sustainability is key: eco-friendly initiatives are no longer an option but an expectation
Smart rooms for smarter experiences
In this episode, we unravel the intricate web of hotel technology and delve into the complexities that shape the hospitality landscape with Ira Vouk, Industry consultant and Author (Hospitality 2.0 Consulting), and Erik Tengen, CEO and co-founder at Oaky.
The hotel tech ecosystem: decoding the intricacies via Ira Vouk's visual diagram.
Is the Property Management System (PMS) still at the heart of it all?
The genesis of benchmarking on RevPAR and its meaning.
A 30-year horizon for the hotel tech landscape.
The evolution towards marketplaces and the pivotal role they play in the future of hotel technology.
Welcome to episode #12 of LowKey Hospitality Podcast, our easygoing sessions for hotel professionals where we chat about industry trends, issues and solutions.
In this episode, we uncover the secrets to attracting and retaining top talent in the hospitality industry with Thomas Finn, Managing Director at the Staffing and Recruiting company Edwards & Finn Ltd.
How talents’ priorities have evolved over the years
What talents look for in a job and the vital role of flexibility
What influences employee loyalty
The importance of non-monetary benefits in keeping talent engaged and motivated