In this episode, we sit down with Summer Shoemaker, General Manager of the stunning San Diego Mission Bay Resort, to talk all things independent hotels.

Summer shares how growing up across California, Colorado, and Hawaii sparked her love for travel and hospitality. She opens up about what makes independent properties so powerful, the creative freedom they offer, and how tools like Curator Hotel & Resort Collection give GMs the backup they need to thrive in a competitive market.

From slashing wine costs by 50% to saving over $200,000 on AV, Summer walks us through the real-world wins that prove independents can compete with the big brands, and win. If you’re a hotelier who wants to stay independent and profitable, this is the episode for you.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q9EZscjVCDc

This episode is sponsored by Curator: https://www.curatorhotelsandresorts.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Summer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/summer-shoemaker-53a1535/
San Diego Mission Bay Resort: https://www.missionbayresort.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/162

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili are once again joined by Josiah Mackenzie, Head of Marketing at Actabl, to break down the biggest stories in hospitality from May 2025.

From Marriott’s bold acquisition of CitizenM to Airbnb’s major relaunch of Experiences, Josiah shares sharp insights into how innovation, scale, and branding are reshaping the industry. They also dive into Springboard’s merger with Hotel Equities, the $1.1B Sabre hospitality tech deal, and why transparency in resort fees is long overdue.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Marriott Buys Citizen M
• Springboard merged with Hotel Equities
• Airbnb Relaunches Experiences, Adds Hotel-Style Services
• Sabre Sells Hospitalty Business for $1.1 Bill
• Resort Fees Must Now Be Disclosed
• Running Vacations, next travel trend?
• Latest things happening at Actabl

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GUOswVHyGzA

This episode is sponsored by Actabl: https://actabl.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Josiah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/161

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Get ready to set sail with one of the most innovative minds in hospitality.

In this episode, we're joined by Colin Hughes, Director of Operations & Experience at Virgin Voyages. From spa decks to tattoo studios, Colin walks us through how Virgin is redefining the cruise experience, making it simpler, sexier, and more sustainable.

We dive into:

• How Virgin Voyages creates stress-free, all-inclusive adventures for adults only
• Personalization strategies that keep both sailors and crew at the heart of the experience
• What hotels can learn from Virgin’s award-winning approach to entertainment, F&B, and sustainability
• Colin’s inspiring journey from Manchester to becoming a U.S. citizen, cruise industry veteran, and change-maker at Virgin

Whether you’re a cruise sceptic, or seasoned traveler, this episode might just have you booking your first voyage.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zBG0kfmC4AY

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Colin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-hughes-a8596215b/

Virgin Voyages: https://www.virginvoyages.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/160

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Eric Jenkins, General Manager of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. From his roots in Savannah, Georgia, to his hands-in-the-soil leadership style in La Jolla, Eric shares his unconventional path through hospitality, starting as a fry cook and rising through the ranks to manage one of Southern California’s most unique independent hotels.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• How Southern hospitality shaped his career
• Why gardening, monarch butterflies, and creative outdoor spaces are part of his GM toolkit
• The power of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection in helping independent hotels compete with major chains
• Lessons from overseeing a major ownership transition and renovation

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E0nQehs3a3I

This episode is sponsored by the Curator Hotel & Resort Collection: https://www.curatorhotelsandresorts.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Curator: https://www.curatorhotelsandresorts.com/

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa: https://www.estancialajolla.com/

Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-jenkins-04a475a/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/159

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

What makes Chick-fil-A’s hospitality more than just good service?

In this episode, we're joined by Nicholas Lawrence, Executive Director of People & Culture, Chick-fil-A Local Franchise - Indianapolis and the founder of Lawrence Leadership.

Nick takes us behind the scenes of Chick-fil-A’s legendary hospitality culture—where “my pleasure” isn’t just a catchphrase, it’s a moral obligation. From his early days selling shirts and ties at Macy’s to leading people and culture at a top-performing franchise, Nick shares how leadership, emotional intelligence, and ownership are at the heart of every great customer experience.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Chick-fil-A builds a customer-first culture that rivals the best in hospitality
• Why local ownership makes all the difference in maintaining brand excellence
• Lessons from retail and HR that translate directly into hotel leadership
• Why emotional intelligence is the competitive edge for any hospitality business
• What “serving a higher purpose” really looks like in day-to-day operations

Whether you're leading a hotel team or running a restaurant, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to elevate your guest experience.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/68j5jerfiG8

This episode is sponsored by Jonas Hospitality: https://www.jonashospitality.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Nicholas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-lawrence-shrm-cp-59b76289/
Chick-fil-A Local Franchise: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/158

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Davis Howatt-Lambert, VP of Marketing at Jonas Hospitality, to unpack how technology and human connection can co-exist in the future of hospitality. Davis shares his career journey from political science to hospitality tech, his love of golf and rock climbing, and how growing up in Edmonton shaped his leadership style.

They explore Jonas Hospitality’s unique "buy and hold" model, the evolution of guest experience through personalization and data, and why CDPs (Customer Data Platforms) might soon outshine CRMs. From AI and automation to personalized spa itineraries and self-service kiosks, Davis breaks down how hotels can enhance efficiency without losing the soul of hospitality.

Tune in to learn:

• The real difference between AI hype and AI value in hotels
• How Jonas Hospitality is creating a best-of-both-worlds platform
• Why personalization isn't a luxury—it’s the new standard
• What hotels can do today to set better guest expectations tomorrow

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5x3NCfFP53Q

This episode is sponsored by Jonas Hospitality: https://www.jonashospitality.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davis-howatt-lambert-a13966a8/

Jonas Hospitality: https://www.jonashospitality.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/157

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we sit down with Jose Cepeda, Executive Chef at Quixote in the LaFayette Hotel, San Diego. Jose shares how his culinary journey began in the kitchens of his grandmother and the streets of Mexico, selling rice pudding to support his family. He opens up about transforming personal hardship into artistic expression on every plate. From perfecting his grandmother’s flan to adding bold global flavours inspired by his travels, Jose reveals how he brings modern creativity to traditional Oaxacan roots. Plus, he talks about his signature dish—the wood-fired branzino—and why every meal is more than food… it’s a piece of his story.

In this episode, we learn about:
• Jose’s family legacy and the powerful story behind his rice pudding
• Why Quixote blends ancient Oaxacan vibes with modern flair
• How he uses flavours from around the world to push culinary boundaries
• And what dish he always orders when dining out

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X5-lFqQfsms

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Quixote LaFayette Hotel San Diego: https://lafayettehotelsd.com/dining
Jose on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-cepeda-39495b200/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/156

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Slack, General Manager of the iconic LaFayette Hotel in San Diego. From humble beginnings picking golf balls at a driving range to leading a $31 million hotel transformation, Steve shares his journey through the hospitality industry.

We dive into the rich history of the LaFayette Hotel—from its golden age hosting Hollywood legends to its modern revival. Steve Slack also opens up about building a strong community-focused culture, the importance of thoughtful hiring, and what it’s like creating a space where staff and guests alike feel a true sense of belonging.

Plus, hear some fun behind-the-scenes stories—including a few celebrity encounters. Whether you’re in the hospitality industry or just love a good comeback story, this episode delivers inspiration and insight.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kg0yJe21P3E

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
The LaFayette San Diego: https://lafayettehotelsd.com/
Steve Slack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveaslack/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/155

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.