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Hotel Tech Insider
HotelTechReport
64 episodes
2 days ago
The HotelTechInsider podcast interviews the top leaders at the convergence of hotels, travel and technology. Guests include founders, executives, top hoteliers and industry organization leadership. Find all of the episodes at hoteltechreport.com
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Technology
Business,
Management
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All content for Hotel Tech Insider is the property of HotelTechReport and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The HotelTechInsider podcast interviews the top leaders at the convergence of hotels, travel and technology. Guests include founders, executives, top hoteliers and industry organization leadership. Find all of the episodes at hoteltechreport.com
Show more...
Technology
Business,
Management
Episodes (20/64)
Hotel Tech Insider
Founder of SUM Hospitality on Running Hotels Remotely

What if you could double your hotel’s efficiency—without adding headcount? In this episode, Michael Bohler, Founder of SUM Hospitality, reveals how he’s transforming independent hotels in Switzerland into high-performing, tech-enabled operations that run smoother, smarter, and more profitably.


 This episode is for hotel owners, general managers, and operations leaders looking to modernize their tech stack, reduce manual work, and build more sustainable, year-round business models.

Takeaways:
 • Hear how Sun Hospitality uses integrated systems to automate front-office and back-office tasks, freeing staff to focus on guest experience.
 • Learn how streamlined tech enables year-round occupancy and better work-life balance for hotel teams in seasonal markets.
 • Understand why viewing technology as an investment in profitability not a cost center is key to future growth.

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1 week ago
24 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Hospitality America CEO on AI-Ready Hotel Data

What happens when a 20-hotel operator treats brand data, RMS outputs, and labor costs as one system—and then points AI at it?

Takeaways:

  • Build a single source of truth: How Hospitality America centralizes Amadeus/TravelClick market data, Hilton Grow & Marriott OneYield outputs, and Actabl (ProfitSword + Hotel Effectiveness) in a Microsoft data lake to power faster decisions.
  • Make revenue meet labor—down to the penny: Practical ways to pair booking windows, LOS, and mix with staffing models to decide whether to take Group A vs. Group B—and know the profit impact before you say yes.
  • Operationalize AI for the field (not HQ): A roadmap for using Microsoft Copilot on top of your own data so GMs can ask, “How many room attendants do I need Saturday?” and get defendable answers—without surrendering human judgment.

 If this playbook sparked ideas for your portfolio, follow Hotel Tech Insider and subscribe for weekly, operator-tested tactics. Share this episode with your revenue and ops leaders, and visit HotelTechReport for the tools and case studies mentioned.

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3 weeks ago
27 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
CEO of Port Hotels on Eliminating Manual Work Portfolio Wide

What if your team could double productivity—without adding a single new hire? In this episode, Diego Fernández, CEO of Port Hotels, reveals how his 11-property Spanish hotel group is scaling smarter by automating repetitive work and treating technology as an investment, not a cost.

Takeaways:

  • Build for scalability, not complexity: Learn how Port Hotels is using a unified PMS ecosystem to operate 11 hotels as efficiently as one.
  • Free your team from repetitive work: Discover how AI and automation are helping staff shift from manual data entry to guest-facing, value-creating roles.
  • Rethink ROI on tech: Hear Diego’s simple but powerful framework for pitching new technology projects to owners—turning “costs” into high-return investments.


Port Hotels even tested service robots—not to replace staff, but to give them back time to connect with guests, showing that smart automation can enhance hospitality rather than depersonalize it.


 Subscribe to Hotel Tech Insider for more real-world lessons from forward-thinking hotel leaders like Diego who are redefining what operational excellence looks like in the digital era.

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4 weeks ago
28 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
CEO of TFE Hotels on Innovating Through Lab Hotels

What if you could design the perfect hotel room—not on paper, but by testing it in real life with 200 real guests? In this episode, Asli Kutlucan, CEO of TFE Hotels Europe, reveals how her team built a “lab hotel” in Berlin to reimagine hospitality from the ground up.

This episode is tailored for experienced hoteliers, executives, and owners who want to stay ahead of shifting guest expectations, leverage new technology, and explore strategies that balance innovation with operational efficiency.

Takeaways:

  • Inside the Lab Hotel: Learn how TFE turned a redundant retail space into a living R&D hub, where design, tech, and guest behavior are tested in real time.
  • Guest Experience Platform (GXP): Hear how TFE built a scalable tech stack that eliminates admin work for staff while delivering a more intuitive, guest-driven journey.
  • Surprising Innovations: Discover unexpected experiments like “upgrade boxes,” where guests can rent add-ons like Nespresso machines or hair straighteners by phone—transforming upsells into a frictionless, tech-enabled experience.

Don’t miss future conversations with the leaders shaping hotel innovation. Subscribe to Hotel Tech Insider, share this episode with your peers, and stay tuned for more strategies to build the next generation of hospitality.

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1 month ago
26 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Numa Head of Operations on Scaling Front Desk Free Hotels

What if you could run a 160-property hotel portfolio without a single traditional front desk? In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, Julius Ambers, Head of Operations at Numa, reveals how his team is redefining hospitality with technology at its core.


Key Takeaways:

  • AI-Driven Decision Making: How Numa uses data, automation, and AI to save up to 60% in payroll costs.
  • Guest Experience Reimagined: What a fully digital guest journey looks like—from booking to checkout—without a front desk.
  • Build vs. Buy Strategy: Why Numa develops 60% of its tech in-house and how that shapes innovation and operational agility.

With consumer behavior shifting and traditional hotel models under pressure, this conversation offers a roadmap for future-ready operations.

👉 Subscribe to Hotel Tech Insider on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a colleague shaping the future of hotel operations.

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1 month ago
21 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
CCO of L+R Hotels on The Future of Segmentation Strategies

Can rethinking something as fundamental as market segmentation unlock new performance gains in hotels? Joe Pettigrew, Group Chief Commercial Officer at L+R Hotels—one of the world’s largest privately held hotel investment and operating groups—thinks so.

Takeaways:
 • Hear how L+R Hotels is standardizing PMS, RMS, and CRS across 100+ properties to unlock scale, consistency, and better reporting.
 • Learn why Pettigrew believes benchmarking intelligence platforms like CoStar, Amadeus, and Lighthouse matter more to revenue success than any single operational system.
 • Discover why stablecoins and AI discoverability could reshape payments, loyalty, and how hotels appear in future travel searches—insights most hoteliers aren’t yet preparing for.

 While most industry conversations fixate on personalization, Pettigrew argues it’s overrated—with limited returns compared to getting the fundamentals right in segmentation, benchmarking, and tech consolidation.


 Don’t miss this rare inside look at how one of the industry’s most sophisticated ownership groups is thinking about technology. Subscribe to Hotel Tech Insider for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of hotels.

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2 months ago
33 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Inside Penta Hotels' Bold, All-at-Once Tech Transformation

What do you get when a 14-property hotel brand rips out its entire legacy tech stack—and lives to tell the tale? In this episode, Josh Edwards, Operating Systems Manager at Penta Hotels, takes us behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious tech overhauls in the European hotel market.

Takeaways:
• Hear how Penta Hotels saved 175,000+ staff hours annually by replacing outdated systems with a next-gen stack—without sacrificing service.
• Learn how to successfully manage change at scale, from piloting PMS platforms to gaining buy-in from skeptical hotel teams.
• Discover why 25% of guests now purchase upsells, and how thoughtful use of automation and kiosks can unlock new revenue without alienating staff or guests.

 Penta Hotels isn’t just any brand—it’s a forward-thinking company that dared to question every operational assumption. From payments to POS, CRM to guest messaging, Josh shares the blueprint for future-proofing your tech without losing your brand’s soul. One surprising insight? Automating card payments alone accounted for the majority of the 175K hours saved.


 If you’re thinking about upgrading your systems—or questioning whether bold change is worth it—this episode is for you. Subscribe to Hotel Tech Insider for more insider stories from leaders shaping the future of hospitality.

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2 months ago
22 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
BOB Hotels Managing Partner on Elevating Budget Stays with Tech

Bob Hotels converted 70% OTA reliance to nearly 50% direct bookings in under a year—partly by using an AI phone agent (GoodCall) to convert phone inquiries into instant SMS-driven bookings.

Can a roadside motel really outperform the compset—and become the #1 value property in an entire city—within a year? In this episode, Janis Krums, Managing Partner at Bob Hotels, reveals how his team transformed a run-down Sleep Inn into a top-rated boutique brand using a fresh tech stack, street-smart branding, and startup-level hustle.


This episode is for experienced hoteliers, GMs, and asset managers looking to revitalize underperforming assets, modernize their tech stack, and rethink guest engagement for today’s traveler—without breaking the bank.

Takeaways:
• How to build a modern tech stack from scratch: Janis walks through the exact vendors and decision-making logic behind Bob Hotels’ PMS, booking engine, CRM, guest messaging, revenue tools, and even an AI-powered phone agent.
• Using social proof and reviews as growth engines: Learn how the team grew to 1,100+ Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating in less than a year—and how that impacted OTAs, pricing, and occupancy.
• Why legacy vendors are getting left behind: Hear Janis’ frank take on why most hotel tech incumbents miss the mark—and why younger, hungrier companies are earning his business.


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3 months ago
26 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
GCP Hospitality's VP of Strategy on Automating Revenue Without Losing Control

What can Four Seasons Bora Bora and a New Zealand hostel teach you about building smarter hotel tech stacks? In this episode, Michael Belanger, VP of Commercial Strategy at GCP Hospitality, unpacks the unique challenges—and surprising advantages—of managing one of the most diverse hotel portfolios in the world.

Takeaways:
• Learn why small and independent hotels are often more agile than global brands when it comes to adopting new technology.
• Get insider strategies for tech stack decisions across both luxury resorts and hostels—including tools like Mews, Triptease, and SiteMinder.
• Discover how GCP is rethinking the role of CRM vs PMS—and why that shift could unlock the next era of personalization and profitability.

Don’t miss an episode—subscribe now to Hotel Tech Insider for more real-world strategies from the industry’s top leaders and innovators.

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5 months ago
30 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
COO of Safestay on Redefining Hostel Hospitality with Tech

How can hostels balance cutting-edge technology with the irreplaceable value of human interaction? In this episode, Peter Zilke, COO of Safestay Hostels, reveals the secrets behind creating a vibrant community experience while leveraging innovative tech solutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Safestay uses social media not just for marketing, but as a vital communication tool that enhances guest interaction before, during, and after their stay.
  • Learn about the importance of a robust property management system (PMS) in managing high transaction volumes and streamlining guest communication, especially in a hostel environment.
  • Understand the role of AI in hospitality, including its applications in pricing strategies and internal communication, while recognizing the limits of technology in maintaining genuine human connections.
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6 months ago
28 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
PECR Hotels CEO on Solving the Labor Problem with Humanoids

What if a humanoid robot could revolutionize the way your hotel operates? In this episode, Filip Linek, the innovative owner of two family-oriented hotels in the Czech Republic, shares how he's leveraging AI technology to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Filip is integrating a humanoid robot, named Bea, to handle administrative tasks and improve communication between staff and guests, setting a new standard for hospitality.
  • Learn about the unique compensation model that ties staff salaries to guest satisfaction scores, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
  • Explore the challenges and successes of implementing AI in a hotel setting, including the importance of human interaction in a tech-driven environment.
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7 months ago
25 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Accor’s Global SVP on Centralizing IT Support for 5,700 Hotels

How can a hotel chain with over 5,700 properties transform its tech support into a human-centered experience? In this episode, Tariq Valani, Global SVP of Support Services at Accor, reveals the innovative strategies that are reshaping the way hotel technology is delivered and supported.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Accor centralized its support services from eight regional desks to a single global function, enhancing efficiency and user experience across its diverse portfolio.
  • Learn about the importance of understanding user personas in tech support, and how prioritizing front-line staff needs can significantly impact guest satisfaction.
  • Explore actionable insights on implementing human-centric design principles in tech support, including training programs that empower agents to empathize with users and take ownership of their service interactions.
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8 months ago
30 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Capital Hotels' Group IT Director on Custom-Built Hotel Tech Use Cases

How can leveraging technology transform the guest experience and streamline hotel operations? In this episode, Jose Suarez, the IT Director for The Capital Hotel Group, reveals how his team is redefining the hospitality landscape through innovative tech solutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how The Capital Hotel Group built a hybrid system by integrating custom features into an off-the-shelf Property Management System (PMS), enhancing operational efficiency and guest engagement.
  • Learn about the importance of data orchestration in personalizing guest experiences, from booking to post-stay communication, and how it can lead to higher satisfaction rates.
  • Explore the role of AI in automating guest reviews and generating actionable insights, allowing hotel staff to focus on delivering exceptional service.
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8 months ago
32 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Minor Hotels' Chief Commercial Officer on Automating 2 Million Daily Rate Changes

How can a hotel chain leverage cutting-edge technology to redefine revenue management and enhance guest experience? In this episode, Fernando Vives, Chief Commercial Officer at Minor Hotels, reveals the transformative strategies that are setting his organization apart in the competitive hospitality landscape.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Minor Hotels utilizes a proprietary forecasting system to automate pricing and optimize revenue management across over 400 properties in Europe and the Americas.
  • Learn about the strategic partnership with Duetto that has enabled Minor Hotels to implement dynamic pricing and open pricing models, allowing for unprecedented flexibility and responsiveness to market demand.
  • Understand the importance of a customer-centric approach in hospitality, and how technology can augment human capabilities to enhance guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
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9 months ago
32 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Schulte's VP of Ops Strategy on The Future of Digital Tipping in Hotels

What if embracing digital transformation could unlock new revenue streams for your hotel? In this episode, Jason Jackson, Vice President of Operational Strategy and Integration at Schulte Hospitality, reveals how innovative technology is reshaping the hospitality landscape.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover the impact of digital tipping software on employee satisfaction and guest experience, with over $120,000 in tips distributed in just seven months.
  • Learn about the critical role of business intelligence tools like ProfitSword and Hotel Effectiveness in optimizing labor management and financial performance across a diverse portfolio of nearly 200 hotels.
  • Understand the importance of adaptability and engagement in the hospitality industry, and how these traits can drive success in an ever-evolving market.
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9 months ago
24 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Lark Hotels' SVP of Operations on Scaling a $1B Boutique Management Company

How can technology enhance the human touch in hospitality without losing the essence of personal connection? In this episode, Scot Hopps, Senior Vice President of Operations at Lark Hotels, reveals the delicate balance between leveraging technology and maintaining genuine guest interactions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Lark Hotels is revolutionizing the guest experience by integrating technology that enhances service without replacing the human element.
  • Learn about the critical role of an effective accounting system, specifically HIA (Hotel Investor Apps), in driving operational success and improving financial reporting.
  • Understand the strategic decision-making process behind migrating to a new property management system (PMS) and how it empowers staff to deliver exceptional service.
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9 months ago
31 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Time Hotels' COO on Building Flexible Tech Stacks for Rapid Growth

How can technology enhance genuine human connection in hospitality? In this episode, William Costley, COO of Time Hotels, reveals how the right tech stack can empower teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining a strong service culture.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover the critical role of a Property Management System (PMS) in integrating various hotel operations and enhancing guest interactions.
  • Learn about Time Hotels' innovative approach to expanding their brand portfolio, including the launch of lifestyle brands focused on sustainability and wellness.
  • Understand the importance of a robust Request for Proposal (RFP) process in selecting a revenue management system that aligns with your hotel's unique needs and operational scale.
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9 months ago
28 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Mews CEO on Lessons from Building a Hotel Tech Unicorn

Is your hotel technology stuck in the past? In this episode, Matthijs Welle, founder and CEO of Mews, reveals how innovative property management systems can revolutionize the guest experience and streamline operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Mews is breaking down barriers between hoteliers and guests to create personalized experiences that enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Learn about the pivotal role of tokenized payments and open APIs in modernizing hotel operations and driving revenue growth.
  • Understand the importance of leveraging AI to transform guest data into actionable insights, enabling hoteliers to deliver tailored experiences that keep guests coming back.
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10 months ago
29 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Edwardian Hotels' VP on Tech's Role Ultra Luxury

How can luxury hotels redefine the guest experience by transforming check-in and check-out into a more personalized journey? In this episode, Kris Leszczynski, Group GM at London based Edwardian Hotels, reveals innovative strategies that blend technology with exceptional service.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Edwardian Hotels leverages technology to create a seamless guest journey, from pre-arrival communications to personalized in-stay experiences.
  • Learn about the importance of integrating CRM and PMS systems to enhance operational efficiency and guest satisfaction, allowing staff to focus on building relationships rather than administrative tasks.
  • Explore the surprising role of technology in maintaining the human touch in luxury hospitality, ensuring that guests feel recognized and valued throughout their stay.
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10 months ago
34 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
Lamington Group's MD on Aligning Tech for Extended Stay

How can a hotel brand leverage technology to enhance guest experience while maintaining a personal touch? In this episode, Stuart Godwin, Managing Director of Lamington Group, reveals the innovative strategies that have helped his company achieve over 50% direct bookings.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Lamington Group's unique Room 2 product combines the best features of serviced apartments, Airbnb, and traditional hotels to cater to a diverse range of guests.
  • Learn about the importance of a user-friendly booking engine and how it can significantly reduce friction in the booking process, encouraging direct bookings over OTAs.
  • Explore the newly launched Hometown Club loyalty program, designed to drive brand loyalty and enhance guest engagement through instant rewards and personalized perks.

Don’t miss out on future episodes filled with expert insights—subscribe today and share this episode with fellow hoteliers looking to elevate their technology game.

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10 months ago
22 minutes

Hotel Tech Insider
The HotelTechInsider podcast interviews the top leaders at the convergence of hotels, travel and technology. Guests include founders, executives, top hoteliers and industry organization leadership. Find all of the episodes at hoteltechreport.com