This is a podcast about the boutique hospitality community that helps top executives and leaders in the industry become up-to-date on best innovative trends in boutique hotels around the world. Each season, Ariela brings her favorite visionaries to candidly discuss new philosophies when it comes to the hospitality industry.
Season 1 and Season 2 are sponsored by Solonis, the property management system designed for boutique hotels.
Season 2
Episode 9 – Diana Stobo, Founder of The Retreat Costa Rica
Published on February 19, 2024
In this episode, Diana Stobo, a pioneering chef and advocate for wellness and healthy living, shares her transformative journey from a raw food advocate to a wellness real estate pioneer in Costa Rica. Diana discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a wellness hotel focused on healing modalities and the philosophy of “slumming it in luxury” in the hospitality industry. Joined by Ariela, they dive into the importance of staff retention, leadership in hospitality, and the personal journey of self-discovery and overcoming Imposter Syndrome.
Episode 3 – Nathalie Jordi, Owner of Hotel Peter and Paul
Published on December 12, 2023
In this episode, we dive into the world of boutique hospitality with Natalie Jordi, exploring her unique career path from ice pops to the development of boutique hotels in New Orleans. Join us as we uncover the story behind the creation of the Hotel Peter and Paul, delve into the challenges of hotel development, and discuss the importance of local ties and sustainable tourism in New Orleans.
Episode 2 – Arnaud Zannier, Founder of Zannier Hotels
Published on November 27, 2023
In this engaging episode of The Unfamiliar Shift, Ariela Kiradjian dives deep into the world of boutique hospitality with the illustrious Arnaud Zannier, the founder of Zannier Hotels. Known for their unique luxury hotel experiences worldwide, from Cambodia to Namibia, Zannier Hotels stand out with their emphasis on simplicity, authenticity, and respect for local heritage. Arnaud shares his journey from humble beginnings to creating some of the most serene hotel experiences globally, his unique sustainability approach, and future plans for Zannier Hotels.
Episode 1 – Charlotte Gomez de Orozco, Founder of HOY Hotel Paris
Published on November 13, 2023
In this enlightening first episode of season two, Charlotte Gomez de Orozco, the visionary founder of HOY Hotel Paris, delves into the intricate blend of sustainable luxury and wellness that defines her hotel’s ethos. She also unpacks the unique yoga-centric hotel concept thriving in the heart of Paris. With a special focus on holistic wellness and self-care, this episode explores the transformative journey of buying and renovating a Parisian hotel, the challenges of opening a wellness-oriented establishment, and the incorporation of Mexican cultural elements into the boutique hotel experience.
Season 1
Episode 1 – Raul Leal, CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts
Published on August 9, 2022
Raul Leal is a seasoned professional in the boutique hospitality industry who understands and embodies the boutique lifestyle to a T. Forward-thinking and self-driven, Raul is an influential executive with a successful track record of creating powerful brands that infuse character, sophistication, and excitement in every element from unique design to lively operations. With robust entrepreneurial tactics under his belt, he is highly proficient in nurturing deep relationships, going above and beyond customer, employee, and investor expectations, and transforming innovative ideas from a vision into reality.
What You Will Hear:
- How Raul built his career in the hospitality community
- Ethos, the mission statement, the concept of the SH Hotels collection
- Holistic well-being and wellness in hospitality
- Where boutique hotels originated
- What is hospitality?
- Mentors and Raul’s passion for people
- Investing in experiences and the ROI
- Teams and tips on leadership
- Current hospitality culture in Miami
- What is a boutique hotel?
Episode 2 – Brian Cooke, Global Director of Corporate Sales at Freehand Hotels & Generator Hotels
Published on August 16, 2022
Ariela sits down with Brian Cooke to talk about the importance of authenticity and the influence of culture in boutique hotels.
What You Will Hear:
- How Brian entered the hospitality industry
- Ethos and mission of both Generator Hotels and Freehand Hotels
- Hostel revolution
- The authenticity of New York culture
- The Django at the Roxy. Entertainment centered.
- Sales strategies for boutique hotels. Rights and wrongs.
- Investing in boutique hotels and cross-marketing and business alignment
- What boutique means to Brian
Episode 3 – Ernest Lee, Chief Growth Officer at citizenM Hotels
Published on August 23, 2022
Ernest Lee of citizenM is based in New York City and has an extensive range of business experience in investments, real estate, finance, strategy, and even operations. It’s safe to say in the bustling city that never sleeps, he’s truly doing it all. As the Chief Growth Officer for the famous citizenM Hotels, Ernest is responsible for implementing new growth initiatives, products, and programs, pursuing strategic partnerships, and developing long-term commercial strategy in collaboration with the Chief Commercial Officer. To top it all off, he’s recognized for guiding the complex multi-regional expansion of citizenM’s North American portfolio.
These luxury properties, or proud misfits of traditional hotels, are satisfying the modern traveler’s desire for affordable luxury and brilliantly shifting the status quo of hospitality as we know it.
What You Will Hear:
- How Ernest built a career in the hospitality industry
- Chief Growth Officer explained
- Learning by looking at other industries
- citizenM ethos
- Creating a new category, Affordable Luxury, in the boutique hotel industry
- Building a boutique hotel portfolio based on transparency
- The 360 experience
- Advice and tips on owning and operating a boutique hotel
- Authenticity and the importance of listening
- Choosing locations
- What boutique means to Ernest
Episode 4 – Sarah Sklash, Motelier & Co-Founder of The June Motel
Published on August 30, 2022
You are in for a treat as Sarah Sklash, passionate Motelier and Co-Founder of The June Motel joins Ariela. You may recognize Sarah as half of the iconic duo that stars in Motel Makeover, a Netflix series that follows their renovation of The June Sauble Beach. Through lighthearted and sincere episodes, Sarah and her Co-Founder, April Brown, paint a beautiful picture of how their brand came to be and why boutique concepts are here to stay.
Before Sarah became a full-time Motelier, she spent a decade working in public service with a focus on vital statistics and creating customer-centric processes. She finds her years of government experience to be especially useful in navigating all the government interactions required as an entrepreneur. When away from her desk, Sarah is a passionate traveler who believes that the moment you first open the door to a new hotel room is the best feeling in the world.
What You Will Hear:
- How Sarah built her career in the hospitality industry
- Career shift and first property purchase
- Being a Motelier
- Disadvantages & advantages of no formal hospitality industry education
- Being unique and individualistic
- Ethos of The June Motel
- Advice on maintaining good partnerships
- Importance of communication
- Business models
- Obstacles and lessons in property ownership
- What is success to Sarah?
- Understanding risk
- Motel Makeover on Netflix
- What does boutique mean to Sarah?
Episode 5 – Katherine Lo, Founder & President of Eaton Workshop
Published on September 6, 2022
Born in Hong Kong, Kat Lo is a next-generation leader, driven by her moral compass and committed to reimagining the future of hospitality for the betterment of the people and the planet.
In 2011, Kat joined her family business in hospitality, and just a few years later, her father appointed her President of Eaton Workshop.
It was in 2014 when Kat founded Eaton as a global hospitality company with a mission “to uplift the human spirit” and “to transform hospitality into a force for creativity and social and environmental impact.”
Building upon her creativity and passion for the arts, Kat and her team launched Another World is Possible in 2020, which is an online multimedia festival featuring innovative panel discussions and original short films produced by Eaton, itself.
Now, fast forward to the present day, and Kat Lo is officially the Chair of Eaton Workshop, with an emphasis on progressing Eaton’s storytelling and sharing impactful pieces of thought leadership with the world.
What You Will Hear:
- How Kat built a career in the hospitality industry
- Value in having an entrepreneurial spirit
- The ethos behind Eaton Workshop
- Los Angeles culture
- Stress points boutique hotel owners are dealing with today
- How to create a family environment with your team
- How boutique hotels can be a vehicle for progression in local communities
- Advice for up & coming boutique hotel owners
- What boutique means to Kat
Episode 6 – Carolyn Schneider, Co-Founder & President of Casetta Group
Published on September 13, 2022
Carolyn grew up in sunny Los Angeles and graduated from New York University. After working in New York City nightlife and restaurants, it was not long before she fell in love with hotels and started managing Events at Ace Hotel New York.
From there, she joined the team at Vikram Chatwal Collection in New York, bringing her sales and marketing skills to the forefront.
When Ace Hotel Group decided to open in Downtown LA, Carolyn was recruited to head on back to the West Coast to build accounts from the ground up in a culturally emerging landscape.
Her experience did not stop there. From her work with Proper Hospitality to Sydell Group to even co-founding a consulting company for emerging hospitality companies, Carolyn was a champion of the boutique lifestyle.
Fast forward to the present day, Carolyn is with Casetta Group and is furthering her passion for hospitality, management, and revitalizing small boutique properties.
What You Will Hear:
- How Carolyn established her career in hospitality
- Building Casetta Group
- Casetta Group’s mission statement
- Working in a partnership with Montecito Venture Partners
- New project in Silverlake
- Los Angeles culture
- Being an artisan. Curating art for properties.
- Being a woman owner in the hospitality industry
- Advice for up-and-coming hotel owners
- The importance of understanding all aspects of how a hotel runs
- What boutique means to Carolyn
Episode 7 – Kevin O’Shea, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Salt Hotels
Published on September 20, 2022
Kevin O’Shea is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Salt Hotels.
After graduating from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, Kevin pursued a career in the corporate hotel design world. From working with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to Morgans Hotel Group, he strengthened his passion for interior design with every project that came his way.
In 2009, he founded a full-service interior design studio called Kevin O’Shea Designs. Specializing in hospitality and residential projects, his studio worked on a range of properties, including an executive office at Sony World Headquarters in New York, The Martin House, which has been featured by This Old House and The New York Times, and even his own home.
In 2011, Kevin turned Salt House Inn into Provincetown’s most stylish hostelry, leading the property to numerous design awards and serving as the launchpad for Salt Hotels. This spurred the launch of present-day properties such as Eben House in Provincetown, Massachusetts, The Chequit in Shelter Island, New York, Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, New York, and Hotel Greystone in Miami Beach.
What You Will Hear:
- How Kevin built his career in the hospitality industry
- Working with partner David Bowd and opening their first hotel
- Ethos of Salt Hotels
- Funding process. Self-funding and lenders.
- The importance of experience
- The entrepreneurial spirit
- Newest project in Hollywood
- Rules and breaking rules
- The essence of hospitality and the importance of attention to detail
- How to stay uniquely boutique even through scaling
- What boutique means to Kevin
Episode 8 – James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels
Published on September 27, 2022
James Bermingham is responsible for delivering Virgin Hotels’ global growth, operational excellence, multi-award-winning customer experience, and unique culture.
But where did he get his start? Well, James began his career in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland, followed by ten years in London, England, including executive roles with ITT Sheraton Corporation and the Luxury Collection.
Through the course of time, James was drawn back to the United States, where he held prestigious General Manager roles at the St. Regis Hotel in Houston and the Montage Laguna Beach. Since 2008, James served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Montage International, overseeing all elements of operations for the well-renowned properties of the Montage and Pendry Hotel brands.
Now, with over 35 incredible years of hospitality experience, James is the CEO of Virgin Hotels and is the true definition of an authentic leader.
What You Will Hear:
- How James entered and flourished in the hospitality industry
- The importance and benefits of apprenticeship
- Importance of branding
- The ethos of Virgin Hotels
- Lucy Technology platform
- Virgin pillar of values and service
- Advice for building loyalty with your team
- Environmental impact, awareness, and action
- What boutique means to James
