Best Cloudbeds Podcasts (2025)

1
Bashar Wali: Winning guest loyalty in an age of commoditized hospitality 1:00:14

4d ago1:00:14

1:00:14

What does it take to keep hospitality from becoming just another commodity? In this episode of The Turndown, Bashar Wali, Founder and CEO of This Assembly and Practice Hospitality, shares why the future of hotels lies not in points or perks, but in the power of human connection. Drawing on his experience as hotel developer, operator, and tireless t…

1
Bradley Steward: Crafting rugged luxury at the intersection of design and hospitality 1:01:50

12d ago1:01:50

1:01:50

What does it take to create a hospitality experience so unique that guests become your greatest advocates? In this episode of The Turndown, Brad Steward shares the philosophy behind Caravan Outpost, a place where intentional design and experiential travel collide. Drawing on his background as a snowboarder, designer, and brand innovator, Brad bring…

1
James Kendall LaRue: Connecting guests with nature and one another at LOGE 56:25

19d ago56:25

56:25

How do you create a truly memorable hospitality experience that keeps guests coming back? In this episode of The Turndown, James Kendall LaRue, COO of LOGE, shares his journey from consulting to leading an innovative hospitality brand that prioritizes community and authenticity. With properties designed to get guests out of their rooms and connecte…

1
Claudia Infante: A Chief Data Officer’s take on hotel tech, integration, and data strategy 50:30

26d ago50:30

50:30

How do you balance guest experience with data security in an industry built on personal connections? In this episode of The Turndown, Claudia Infante, Chief Data Officer at Margaritaville, shares her perspective on the evolving role of technology in hospitality—what’s working, what’s missing, and what needs to change. From guest data management to …

1
Diogo Vaz Ferreira: Authenticity and adaptability in the age of automation 48:43

1M ago48:43

48:43

What does it mean to deliver authentic hospitality in an increasingly automated world? In this episode of The Turndown, Diogo Vaz Ferreira, Head of Commercial at Clink Hostels, shares his thoughts on balancing modernization with the human touch in the hostel industry. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of integrating automat…

1
Enrique Calderón Fernández: Developing teams and talent at Mexico’s largest hotel group 51:52

1M ago51:52

51:52

What does it take to lead the largest hotel group in Mexico, oversee 17,000 employees, and navigate an industry in constant transformation? In this episode of The Turndown, Enrique Calderón Fernández, COO of Posadas, shares his insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of hospitality. From keeping hotels open during the pandemic to develop…

1
Adam Dailey: An investor’s mindset behind today’s hospitality deals 38:32

2M ago38:32

38:32

What’s it like to build a portfolio in a high-barrier market like San Diego? In this episode of The Turndown, Adam Dailey, real estate investor and accommodation operator, shares how he finds value in overlooked properties and why uncertainty is both a challenge and an opportunity for independent hoteliers. From running an Olympic hospitality busin…

1
Diego de Ponga: Leadership lessons from revenue management to the C-suite 47:14

2M ago47:14

47:14

What does it take to lead a successful hotel brand while keeping people at the heart of everything you do? In this episode of The Turndown, Diego de Ponga, CEO of Port Hotels, shares his journey from head of revenue management to CEO of one of Spain's most iconic family-owned hotel groups. Diego explains how Port Hotels invests heavily in employee …

1
Maxim Tint: How Asia is jumpstarting the documentless travel revolution 42:25

2M ago42:25

42:25

There’s a lot of talk about AI in hospitality - but how can it actually be used to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations for hotels? In this episode of The Turndown, Maxim Tint, Founder & CEO of Trevo talks about the evolution of guest experiences through technology. The conversation dives into the challenges hoteliers face in adoptin…

1
Lori Kiel: Bridging gaps in talent and technology 41:21

2M ago41:21

41:21

The hospitality industry is facing a talent crisis, but what does it take to attract, retain, and inspire the next generation of leaders? In this episode of The Turndown, Lori Kiel, SVP of Revenue Management at Pyramid Global Hospitality, shares her thoughts on the evolving role of talent and technology in the industry. The conversation dives into …

1
Richard Kessler: Building a legacy in independent luxury hotels 50:25

2M ago50:25

50:25

What does it take to shape the future of hotel development while staying true to your vision? In this episode of The Turndown, Richard Kessler, Founder of The Kessler Collection, shares his journey from building budget hotels to becoming a visionary in boutique luxury. From his first boutique hotel (before anyone really knew what that meant) to sha…

1
Jennifer Barnwell: Empowering independent hotels in a brand-centric market 47:12

1y ago47:12

47:12

Jennifer Barnwell is an advocate for independent hotels. As President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, she offers independents the opportunity to harness the power of scale and access cost savings through vendor negotiations, ultimately helping them stay independent and be more profitable. She discusses the challenges and opportunities for ind…

1
Claire Jollain: Appealing to the next generation in hospitality 43:47

1y ago43:47

43:47

With hospitality students graduating with skills that can be applied to other industries with better salaries and work-life balance, how will the industry retain its top-tier talent? As Dean of Hotel Institute Montreux and Assistant Dean of Swiss Hotel Management School, Claire Jollain has direct contact with future hospitality professionals and sh…

1
Kristen Vasan: The greater purpose in exploring the great outdoors 29:01

1y ago29:01

29:01

When was the last time you spent the night camping? As Global Director of Partnerships at Hipcamp with over 15 years of experience in the outdoor hospitality and tech industry, Kristen Vasan is dedicated to getting travelers to experience nature as a way of promoting environmental stewardship. She shares her transition from working in New York City…

1
Julia Krebs: Inspiring young minds to join the hospitality field 44:26

1y ago44:26

44:26

As someone who joined the hospitality industry right after high school, lecturer Julia Krebs has deep passion, understanding, and experience in the field that she draws from to connect with students at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management. She emphasizes the importance of inspiring young adults to choose a career in hospitality and d…

1
Gavin Gray: Essential tools and tips for running a successful vacation rental business 33:05

1y ago33:05

33:05

The vacation rental industry has become highly lucrative – and competitive – in recent years. As Global Head of Connectivity Account Management at Vrbo, Gavin Gray has a wealth of insights to share about the vacation rental industry, including top trends, hot destinations, and essential technology tools needed to gain a competitive edge. He highlig…

1
Dr. Stowe Shoemaker: The business of educating future hospitality leaders 49:29

1y ago49:29

49:29

During his long career in hospitality education, Dr. Stowe Shoemaker (Ph.D. Cornell University) has witnessed the hospitality curriculum evolve into a business-focused teaching. But should hospitality be all business? He discusses the challenges of educating and attracting a new generation to the hospitality industry and explores the value of apply…

1
Dallin Tait: The wild adventures of building a destination hotel 37:40

1y ago37:40

37:40

Running a resort & spa in the middle of remote Utah has proven to be one of life’s greatest adventures for Dallin Tait. After spending the better part of his career running an excursion company, Dallin also took on the role of General Manager at his family-owned hotel in Bluff, Utah – a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts. He shares his success journ…

1
Jacqueline Nunley: Innovation, adaptation, and the future of hospitality 44:29

1y ago44:29

44:29

Jacqueline Nunley has been at the forefront of revolutionizing travel industry technology for over two decades. As the Industry Advisor for Travel & Hospitality at Salesforce, she has dedicated her career to guiding companies to transform with innovative solutions. She shares her perspective on the importance of discovering and adopting new tools, …

1
Bianca Brasdorp: Running a thriving business as a woman in hospitality 47:01

1y ago47:01

47:01

From business setbacks to viral TikToks, Bianda Brasdorp has experienced a full spectrum of challenges and triumphs on her journey to becoming the successful owner of multiple female-only hostels in Europe. She shares her experience and recommendations for aspiring hostel owners, including coming up with a unique concept, making the most of social …

1
Anne-Julie Karcher: Unlocking the potential of social media influencers for hotels 41:59

1+ y ago41:59

41:59

Love them or hate them, social media influencers are on the rise. As the co-founder of Anorak Travel, an influencer company focused on the tourism industry, Anne-Julie Karcher has made a career of strategically matching hoteliers with influencers who can help them reach their marketing goals. She provides insights into the costs and budgeting of in…

1
Sebastien Leitner: Reflections from a lifelong career in hospitality 31:41

2y ago31:41

31:41

In our inaugural season of The Turndown podcast, host Sebastien Leitner has led conversations with hospitality leaders from all corners of the industry. Now, we’re turning the tables and putting Sebastien in the guest seat to get to know more about his illustrious hospitality career that spans hotel management, travel distribution, technology partn…

1
Jason Pinto: Revolutionizing hotel revenue management with AI and Machine Learning 33:13

2y ago33:13

33:13

What’s the difference between Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning? Jason Pinto, Co-founder and COO at Pace Revenue, can not only answer that question in a way that’s easy to understand, he can also explain how these tools are impacting revenue management in the hotel industry. He shares how AI-and-ML-backed technology is bringing hotel rev…

1
Richard Brosal: The challenges of meeting rising guest expectations post-pandemic 34:32

2y ago34:32

34:32

Richard Brosal is a hotelier who operates without “bricks or mortars.” As Co-Founder & Owner of Jet Luxury Resorts, a niche hospitality company in the condo hotel space in Las Vegas, Richard has the unique challenge of not only keeping guests happy but also satisfying the owners and investors of the properties he runs. He shares how rising inflatio…

1
Luka Berger: Exploring shifting standards in housekeeping, from automation to upselling 35:46

2y ago35:46

35:46

Having worked as a housekeeper in the past, Luka Berger, Founder & CEO of Flexkeeping, is passionate about bringing technology to properties that are still managing housekeeping using pen and paper. With some hotels either canceling, upselling, or charging for housekeeping, Luka also discusses solutions for forecasting staffing needs, plus the diff…

1
Julie Cheetham: How to measure your hotel’s sustainability impact 34:11

2y ago34:11

34:11

When we hear the word “sustainability,” we often think of green initiatives and the environment. Julie Cheetham, Founding Member & Managing Director of Weeva, a digital system for managing sustainability in tourism, helps hoteliers take a more holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing not only conservation, but also commerce, community, and…

1
Asa Firestone: Bootstrapping business insights from a rock climber-turned-hotelier 48:53

2y ago48:53

48:53

Asa Firestone started his career as a National Geographic grant-sponsored mountain climber and now runs a private, family-owned property that caters to adventure enthusiasts. From hair-pulling maintenance issues to starting a campervan and beer garden side venture right before the pandemic, Asa shares how he tackles the challenges of running bootst…

1
James Lemon: Envisioning a future of fully frictionless payments while traveling 41:00

2y ago41:00

41:00

Would you leave home without your wallet? James Lemon does. As Global Lead of Travel, Transport, & Leisure at Stripe, James relies on his digital wallet for making payments and works to connect the hospitality industry with the latest innovation in payments. What does a future of frictionless, invisible payments while traveling look like, and what …

1
Sarah Fults: How to successfully lead a big team with heart 34:21

2y ago34:21

34:21

As Vice President of Distribution at MGM Resorts, Sarah Fults is a hardcore hotelier who is known as a tough boss when it comes to managing partners. But when it comes to her team of 34, Sarah is a “mama bear” who knows all the kids’ and pets’ names. How does she keep that balance and manage to lead a loyal team even as many others in the industry …

1
Giancarlo Carniani: What happens when you unleash your hotel’s earning power? 35:43

2y ago35:43

35:43

When Giancarlo Carniani, General Manager of ToFlorence Hotels and President and Founder of the Hospitality Innovation Academy noticed that his hotel’s room rates were always selling at their peak, he had an idea – what if he stopped limiting the revenue management system and set the rates free? Hear about his experience removing the ceiling from hi…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cloudbeds Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
The Turndown: The Podcast for Hoteliers

Cloudbeds

1
Bashar Wali: Winning guest loyalty in an age of commoditized hospitality 1:00:14

1
Bradley Steward: Crafting rugged luxury at the intersection of design and hospitality 1:01:50

1
James Kendall LaRue: Connecting guests with nature and one another at LOGE 56:25

1
Claudia Infante: A Chief Data Officer’s take on hotel tech, integration, and data strategy 50:30

1
Diogo Vaz Ferreira: Authenticity and adaptability in the age of automation 48:43

1
Enrique Calderón Fernández: Developing teams and talent at Mexico’s largest hotel group 51:52

1
Adam Dailey: An investor’s mindset behind today’s hospitality deals 38:32

1
Diego de Ponga: Leadership lessons from revenue management to the C-suite 47:14

1
Maxim Tint: How Asia is jumpstarting the documentless travel revolution 42:25

1
Lori Kiel: Bridging gaps in talent and technology 41:21

1
Richard Kessler: Building a legacy in independent luxury hotels 50:25

1
Jennifer Barnwell: Empowering independent hotels in a brand-centric market 47:12

1
Claire Jollain: Appealing to the next generation in hospitality 43:47

1
Kristen Vasan: The greater purpose in exploring the great outdoors 29:01

1
Julia Krebs: Inspiring young minds to join the hospitality field 44:26

1
Gavin Gray: Essential tools and tips for running a successful vacation rental business 33:05

1
Dr. Stowe Shoemaker: The business of educating future hospitality leaders 49:29

1
Dallin Tait: The wild adventures of building a destination hotel 37:40

1
Jacqueline Nunley: Innovation, adaptation, and the future of hospitality 44:29

1
Bianca Brasdorp: Running a thriving business as a woman in hospitality 47:01

1
Anne-Julie Karcher: Unlocking the potential of social media influencers for hotels 41:59

1
Sebastien Leitner: Reflections from a lifelong career in hospitality 31:41

1
Jason Pinto: Revolutionizing hotel revenue management with AI and Machine Learning 33:13

1
Richard Brosal: The challenges of meeting rising guest expectations post-pandemic 34:32

1
Luka Berger: Exploring shifting standards in housekeeping, from automation to upselling 35:46

1
Julie Cheetham: How to measure your hotel’s sustainability impact 34:11

1
Asa Firestone: Bootstrapping business insights from a rock climber-turned-hotelier 48:53

1
James Lemon: Envisioning a future of fully frictionless payments while traveling 41:00

1
Sarah Fults: How to successfully lead a big team with heart 34:21

1
Giancarlo Carniani: What happens when you unleash your hotel’s earning power? 35:43

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