Our conversation with Rebecca Hubbard covers a range of topics including valuable lessons learned throughout their career such as the importance of relationships, continuous learning, and purposeful conviction. She shares her approach to overcoming challenges faced during a $140M hotel renovation and her commitment to providing exceptional service for guests. We also explore Becky’s involvement with important industry organizations and their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Elms Hotel & Spa, a historic Missouri landmark, has undergone a renovation and now offers guests an exquisite blend of modern amenities and original design elements. Among its unique offerings, the hotel is renowned for its iconic paranormal tours, which have gained popularity since it was featured on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters in 2013.

Eric Gavin discusses how Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle hotels set themselves apart in a competitive market, their approach to ensuring consistency in guest experience, their talent development and retention strategy, how they stay on top of industry trends, and future plans for expanding their hotel portfolio.

Claudia Adriana shares how Andaz San Diego prepares for the peak foodie season in April by increasing events and activations on the rooftop, incorporating specialty menus at its restaurants, and providing prime access for guests to explore even more culinary options in the vibrant Gaslamp District.

Alper Pztok talks about how working in various cultures has influenced their approach to managing staff and guests. He also discusses the inspiration behind the recent room redesign and the unique features of the Presidential Suite.

In this insightful interview, Michael regales us with the fascinating history of this legendary property, the inspiration behind the extensive renovation, and the exciting new programs and initiatives that have been introduced to entice both the local community and travelers alike. We also delve into the delectable culinary experiences on offer, and discover some of the highlights of the grand reopening of this illustrious landmark.

Donte Johnson is a successful hospitality professional and a native of Washington D.C. After graduating from Saint Peter’s University, he started his career with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants where he held various positions including concierge, director of guest services, area revenue manager, and assistant general manager.

A bullish outlook towards the next year as luxury travel continues to thrive. Lisa Bush on keeping Thompson Nashville relevant and group travel trends and predictions for 2023.

Philippe Gombert has recently completed his tenure as President of Relais & Châteaux, a role he stepped into nine years ago marking a career milestone in an industry he was born into.  The Gombert family legacy in the hospitality sector runs deep, and Philippe’s passion as a hotelier even deeper.  We recently sat down for a retrospective on his time as President, reflections on his career as a hotelier, and his expectations for the future.      

I see more Americans are in search of more culture-filled experiences. It’s not just about fancy stays or first-class commercial flights to major cities you’ve seen in Hollywood movies. Luxury travel is also no longer limited to one socioeconomic group of people. Social media has opened the floodgates and exposed luxury experiences to a larger audience.