Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality
Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality is a Skift podcast hosted by Katie Cline. It features exclusive interviews with top executives and innovators in the hotel and hospitality industry. Each episode explores strategies that drive guest loyalty, enhance customer experiences, and build standout brands. The show aims to provide actionable insights for hospitality professionals and aspiring industry leaders.
Episodes
She Started as the Receptionist. Now She’s the CEO.
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, to talk about her remarkable journey from answering phones as the organization’s receptionist to ultimately leading it as CEO.
Angela shares why she didn’t apply for the CEO role the first time it became available, what finally gave her the confidence to go for the top job, and h
Leela Palaces’ CEO on the Overlooked Detail That Can Make (or Break) a Hotel Stay
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and explores his hospitality “calling,” hiring for values, and delivering luxury through deep human connection and anticipatory service rather than transactional SOPs.
Bhatnagar shares lessons from Oberoi (commitment to excellence and detail), Starwood (distinct bran
He Spent 20 Years in the Army. Now He Runs One of the World’s Largest Hotel Companies
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Larry Cuculic, president and CEO of BWH Hotels, the global hospitality company behind brands including Best Western Hotels & Resorts, WorldHotels and SureStay Hotels.
Before entering the hospitality industry, Larry spent 20 years in the U.S. Army, where his career took him from West Point to serving as a prosecutor and military j
KAYAK’s New CEO on What No One Tells You About the Top Job
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Peer Bueller, the new CEO of Kayak, about succeeding co-founder Steve Hafner and defining Kayak’s next era.
Peer shares what has surprised him most about stepping into the top job, why he’s more involved in the nitty-gritty of the business than he ever expected, and the leadership and productivity philosophies that have shaped h
These Founders Have a Formula for Hospitality Design That Drives ROI
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Bri West and Jordan McDonough, co-founders of Somerled, a hospitality design firm that combines market research, guest psychology and intentional design to help owners create investments, not just interiors.
The two began working together when Bri tapped her longtime friend Jordan to help design one of her own short-term rentals. A
This Travel Tech Founder Says We’re Entering an Era of “Unlimited” Travel Demand
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Tim Hentschel, co-founder and co-CEO of HotelPlanner, one of the world’s leading travel technology platforms.
A third-generation hotelier who started working in hotels at just 12 years old, Tim has spent more than two decades at the intersection of hospitality and technology. He shares how he and his co-founder bootstrapped HotelPl
He’s Planned More than 30,000 Trips: Here’s What Travelers Get Wrong
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Jonathan Alder, founder of Jonathan’s Travels, a luxury travel expert who has visited 100 countries and planned more than 30,000 trips for his clients.
When a client tells Jonathan where they want to go, his first question is often, “Why?” Their answer typically reveals what someone actually wants from a trip, which frequently lead
Why This Founder Believes Every Hotel Should Think Like a Media Company
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Brandon Berkson, founder of Hotels Above Par, a boutique publication reaching more than half a million readers, as well as the creator of Mexzine. Brandon shares how getting furloughed during the pandemic led him to launch the brand, why his background in hotel PR gave him an unexpected advantage, and what he would do differently if
The Man Behind Hospitality’s Top Events on the Biggest Threat to AI
As artificial intelligence gets better at answering questions, analyzing data and automating work, the things it can’t replicate—bringing people together, building relationships, telling stories and making someone feel genuinely seen—could become more valuable than ever.
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Alexi Khajavi, Group President of Hospitality and Operation
The CEO of a 100-Year-Old Hotel on What You Should Never Preserve
How do you keep a 100-year-old hotel relevant in a world that's constantly changing?
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Tom Prescott, President & CEO of Seaway Hotels Corporation and steward of the iconic Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables, as the National Historic Landmark celebrates its centennial.
Tom shares what it really takes to operate one of America's most h
How Two Founders Made Impossible Reservations Possible
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Mena Barakat and Sarah Goldring, co-founders of ResX, a New York-based reservation exchange platform that’s changing the way people access some of the hardest-to-book restaurants.
What began as an Instagram page where two friends shared reservations they could no longer use has grown into a thriving technology platform with more th
Inside One of the World's Most Remote Luxury Hotels
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Kurt Berman, General Manager of Eleven Deplar Farm, a 13-room ultra-luxury adventure lodge on Iceland’s Troll Peninsula. Kurt is also the founder of Wild Hospitality and Wild Wander. With more than three decades of experience leading iconic properties across the Maldives, Seychelles, Thailand, the Caribbean, and now Iceland, Kurt sh
The Truth About the World Cup Hotel Boom
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with one of the industry's most trusted data experts, Jan Freitag, National Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar, to separate hype from reality. Together, they unpack all things World Cup—from returned room blocks and evolving booking patterns to what the tournament actually meant for hotel occupancy, room rates and performance ac
The Hospitality Secrets That Built America's #1 B&B
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Marco DiDomizio, hospitality strategist, real estate broker, consultant, and coach at InnAdvisors. Before advising hotel owners across the country, Marco spent nearly a decade transforming the Candleberry Inn on Cape Cod from a dated bed and breakfast into the #1 inn in the United States according to both Travel + Leisure and TripAd
140 Years. Four Generations. Inside One of America’s Last Great Family Resorts.
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Bob Beach, fourth-generation steward of Basin Harbor, one of America’s last great family-owned resorts. Now celebrating its 140th season, the lakeside Vermont property has remained in the same family since 1886—a remarkable feat in an industry increasingly dominated by global hotel brands.
Bob shares the incredible history of the
CEO of Fairmont & Raffles: Luxury Isn't What You Think It Is
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Throughout his remarkable career, Omer has held leadership roles at Four Seasons, Harrods, The Ritz Paris, and more, while living and working everywhere from Hawaii and California to Egypt, London, Paris, and now New York.
Together, they explore how luxury hospitality has e
Inside the Data-Driven Strategy Powering One of the World’s Fastest-Growing Luxury Destinations
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, to explore the data-driven strategy behind one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury destinations.
Over the past decade, Los Cabos has achieved nearly 130% growth in visitation while simultaneously strengthening its luxury positioning, protecting its natural envir
Inside NYU IHIF 2026: What CEOs, Investors & Industry Leaders See Next
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline takes listeners inside the 2026 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum (NYU IHIF), one of the most influential gatherings in global hospitality, travel, and hotel real estate.
Featuring exclusive conversations with Alexi Khajavi, Group President of Hospitality and Operational Real Estate at Questex; Robert O'Leary, Deputy Assistant Secret
The Billion-Dollar Business Hidden Inside a Jimmy Buffett Song
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews John Cohlan, CEO and Co-Founder of Margaritaville, to explore how a single Jimmy Buffett song evolved into a global lifestyle brand spanning hotels, resorts, cruises, active adult communities, restaurants, consumer products, and more.
John shares the unlikely story of how a Princeton graduate and Georgetown-trained lawyer who never p
How This Entrepreneur Turned Hospitality Into a $90 Million Fitness Empire
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with entrepreneur and boutique fitness executive Adam Shane for a conversation about hospitality, wellness, entrepreneurship, and the power of immersive experiences. Adam is the owner of Yoga Joint New York, a premier chain of infrared-heated fitness and hot yoga studios.
Adam started his career in investment banking and corporate fi
The Cold DM That Sparked a Real Estate Movement
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Grace Gudenkauf and Amelia McGee, co-founders of WIIRE (Women Invest in Real Estate), the fast-growing community helping women pursue financial and time freedom through real estate investing and entrepreneurship. What started with a cold Instagram DM between two strangers in Iowa has since grown into a movement serving thousands of
How This Founder’s Cancer Diagnosis Sparked One of the World’s Most Unique Wellness Retreats
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Marina Efraimoglou, the founder of Euphoria Retreat, to uncover the deeply personal story behind one of the world’s most unique wellness destinations.
Before founding Euphoria Retreat, Marina built a powerful career in finance, becoming the first chairwoman of a Greek bank. But everything changed when she was diagnosed with non-H
How to Buy a Hotel (Without Being Rich)
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Davonne Reaves—hotel owner, asset manager, and founder of The Vonne Group—to break down how hotel deals actually get done.
From her start at the front desk to managing over $1 billion in hotel assets, Davonne has built a career rooted in understanding both the operational and financial sides of the business. Today, she’s focused
How This Owner Bought a Property with No Money Down and Turned it into a Top 50 Hotel
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Jim Nagle, owner and managing partner of the Drake Oak Brook, an Autograph Collection Hotel, to unpack one of the most unconventional paths into hotel ownership. From starting as a Chicago attorney and bus driver to acquiring a legacy hotel with no money down, Jim’s story challenges everything we think we know about risk, experience
From Laguna Beach to Luxury Hotels: The Reality TV Star Who Built a Serious Career in Hospitality
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Dieter Schmitz, an original cast member of Laguna Beach who has since built a distinguished career in hospitality.
From starting as a beach attendant to becoming a General Manager at just 25 years old, Schmitz has opened and repositioned nine hotels throughout his career across brands including Accor, IHG, Marriott and more.
Now,
How Viral Content Built a $120M Private Aviation Brand
What does it really take to break into one of the most exclusive industries in the world?
On this episode of Suite Success, Katie sits down with Kolin Jones, Founder and CEO of Amalfi Jets—a $120M private aviation company he started at just 19 years old with no planes, no capital, and no connections.
On the heels of Masters Weekend, now one of the biggest private aviation events in the world
After Selling Match.com, She Built Again—and Then Took It to Shark Tank
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by Fran Maier—entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Match.com. After helping build one of the most iconic companies of the internet era (and selling it far earlier than she would have liked), Fran went on to do what most people don’t: she started again.
Her next company, BabyQuip, is now the leading baby gear rental platform in th
Is Good Design No Longer Enough? What Actually Makes Guests Come Back
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by architect and hospitality design expert David Shove-Brown, co-founder of the award-winning firm //3877. With a portfolio spanning hotels, restaurants, and mixed-use spaces across the country, David brings a rare perspective on how design, operations, and human behavior intersect to shape the guest experience.
In this conversation,
This CEO on The Branding Mistake Almost Every Destination Makes
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Gary Sherwin, President and CEO of Visit Newport Beach, to unpack the strategy behind building a destination people don’t just visit but aspire to be part of.
Gary shares why most destinations get branding wrong, the surprising shift from selling hotel rooms to telling holistic stories, and how a single, well-defined brand promise ca
She Turned a 300-Year-Old Italian Estate Into a Luxury Destination
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Carlotta Carabba Tettamanti, owner of Tenuta di Murlo, an 18,000-acre Umbrian estate in Italy that has been in her husband’s family for 300+ years. What began as a castle, working farmland, and a collection of abandoned stone farmhouses has, over the past 18 years, been thoughtfully restored into a luxury hospitality concept featuring p
Hotelier Barry Collymore on The Caribbean’s Untapped Advantage
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline speaks with Barry Collymore, a prominent Barbadian-born hotelier, developer, and tourism leader based in Grenada. His work spans multiple facets of the Caribbean tourism industry—he’s the Owner and Executive Chairman of Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort, as well as the Director and Partner of the West Indies Management Company. He also co-fou
The #1 Secret Only the World’s Best Concierges Know
What does it really take to deliver true five-star service?
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Sarah Dandashy, world-class concierge, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author. She unpacks the mindset that separates good service from a truly unforgettable experience.
From her early days working at the Four Seasons in Washington, DC to refining luxury standards at The Pe
The “Rookie Advantage” that Changed this CMO’s Career Trajectory
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Nicole Robinson, Chief Marketing Officer of andBeyond, the luxury adventure company operating in some of the world’s most rare and irreplaceable places.
Nicole’s career path is anything but traditional. She began her journey with the company as an auditor more than 25 years ago and has since held roles across finance, risk, commercial
The Google Doc That Turned Into a Global Hospitality Movement
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with journalist-turned-founder Samantha Shankman to explore how an eight-year obsession with farm hotels evolved into a global hospitality movement.
What started as a simple Google Doc—tracking the most compelling farm stays around the world—became the foundation for something much bigger. After years reporting for Skift, Travel + Leisu
Two Best Friends Bought a Motel — Then Netflix Called
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by Netflix stars and owners of The June Motel, April Brown and Sarah Sklash. April and Sarah are best friends who left careers in PR and government to pursue something entirely different: hospitality. In 2016, they purchased a rundown motel in Prince Edward County, Canada, rolled up their sleeves, and reimagined what a modern roadside st
Build in Public: The Marketing Move Most Hospitality Brands Avoid
In this episode of Suite Success, Katie Cline sits down with Steph Weber, founder and CEO of The Weber Co. and co-owner of Cabins on the Cumberland — a 12-cabin micro-resort on the river in Kentucky.Steph’s journey is anything but linear. She began her career in fashion, became a full-time influencer, lost access to her entire business overnight when she was locked out of Instagram, and used that
Be Interested, Not Interesting: An Emmy-Winning Journalist’s Golden Rule
On this episode of Suite Success, Katie Cline sits down with Peter Greenberg—Emmy Award–winning journalist, CBS News travel editor, and one of the most trusted voices in global travel. Together, they explore a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation about journalism, hospitality and curiosity.
From covering campus riots as a college student with a gas mask, to becoming the youngest correspondent
New from Skift: Executive Conversations Shaping the Travel Industry
We’re sharing a preview of a new podcast from Skift called Skift Take Sessions.
Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global travel industry. Each episode features candid interviews with CEOs and senior leaders across airlines, hotels, and travel platforms, recorded live at Skift events and expanded with context around why
Gensler’s 2026 Design Forecast: The 4 Shifts That Will Redefine Hotels
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Lori Mukoyama, Principal and Global Hospitality Leader at Gensler, to get a first look at Gensler’s 2026 Design Forecast. Lori shares the macro trends influencing design overall, and zooms in on the four biggest shifts set to shape hotels, resorts, and guest expectations in 2026 and beyond.
With real-world examples from her more
This CEO Says Travel’s Next Big Shift Isn’t AI — It’s Demographics
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Rafat Ali, CEO and Founder of Skift, to unpack the forces quietly reshaping travel right now, and why the most consequential shift has far less to do with technology than most people think.
Rafat traces the unconventional path that led him from journalism to building Skift into the world’s leading travel intelligence platform, sharing
The Top AI Trends that Will Shape Hospitality in 2026
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes back Chris Sanderson, co-founder of The Future Laboratory, to discuss the transformative role of AI in luxury hospitality in 2026.
The conversation reveals key insights from a new report- New Codes of Luxury: Elevating the Hospitality Guest Experience with AI, produced in partnership with Together Group. Chris explains how AI can close
Ten New Year's Resolutions, Inspired by the World’s Top Hospitality Leaders
Rather than approaching the new year with generic goal-setting, this episode revisits the conversations that defined Suite Success in 2025. The moments that lingered. The insights that challenged conventional ideas of success. The lessons that revealed themselves not as sound bites, but as lived experience.
Drawing from a year of interviews with founders, CEOs, editors-in-chief, and hospitality d
Hospitality’s Leading Voices on 2025’s Biggest Trends and Bold Predictions for 2026
On this special holiday episode of Suite Success, Katie Cline hosts a roundtable discussion with some of the leading voices in the hospitality industry, including Josiah Mackenzie of Hospitality Daily; Zach Busekrus from Behind the Stays; David Millili and Steve Carran from The Modern Hotelier; and Glenn Haussman of No Vacancy.
The discussion reflects on the pivotal stories and trends of 2025, s
Why This Founder Built Hotels for People Who’d Rather Be Outside
What if the best hotels weren’t designed to keep you inside—but to get you out into the world?
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Mike Weiss, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn Hotels and Resorts, to unpack how he’s building a boutique hospitality brand around nature, experience, and intentional growth.
Mike’s path to hospitality wasn’t linear. From investment bank
This Founder Bet On AI 11 Years Ago – Now The Industry Is Catching Up
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Richie Khandelwal, Co-Founder of PriceLabs, the dynamic pricing and revenue management platform transforming how short-term rentals and independent hotels optimize revenue.
Long before AI became mainstream, Richie was already building an AI-driven product to solve one of the most persistent challenges in hospitality: how to price intelli
The Co-Founder of Stacy’s Pita Chips on Selling to Pepsi & Building a Jungle Hotel
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Mark Andrus, the co-founder of Stacy’s Pita Chips, whose career path is one of the most unexpected and compelling stories in hospitality and entrepreneurship.
Mark never set out to build a beloved consumer packaged goods brand. His original plan was far simpler: run a small food cart in Boston with his partner Stacy and, if everything we
The Power of Silence: Practical Tips for Rest and Reflection
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Dr. Brittany Conners, founder and CEO of Optimistic Theory, who has pioneered in-home silent retreats.
Dr. Brittany shares the benefits of incorporating silence into daily life, especially during the hectic holiday season. The conversation explores practical, guilt-free methods to build quiet time into busy schedules, manage stress, a
Passport to Success: The International Childhood that Shaped a Global Hospitality Leader
What happens when someone grows up across multiple countries, works nearly every job inside a hotel, and then spends 30 years rising through one of the world’s biggest hospitality companies?
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by a true global citizen: Gonzalo Aguilar, CEO for Europe and the Americas at Minor Hotels.
Gonzalo shares how an international childhood—spannin
Can a Brand Still Be “Boutique” After a Buyout? IHG VP on Why Scaling isn’t Bad
What really happens when an independent brand gets acquired by a global hotel company—and can it stay “boutique” after the buyout?
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Vicki Poulos, Vice President of Luxury and Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, for an honest look at growth, scale, and authenticity in modern hospitality.
With over two decades of experience, Vi
Finding Your Unfair Advantage: How Two Architects Turned a Desert Relic into an Award-Winning Hotel
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline speaks with Diana Ossa and Josh Dobken, two professional architects turned passionate hoteliers. When they stumbled upon a 13-room, half-demolished motel in Palm Springs, most first time investors would’ve ran the other way. But where others saw risk, they saw potential. Drawing on their backgrounds in architecture and design, they transformed the
She Bought a House in Labor—Now it’s a Top 1% Airbnb Featured in Arch Digest
When most people go into the delivery room, they’re focused on diapers and nap schedules. But Haley Brosa was buying a house.
What started as an idea to reclaim her sense of self evolved into a creative outlet—and a serious business. Four months after the birth of her second child, what became known as Holly House went live on Airbnb. Within ten days, the home was booked solid for six months and
How Culture, Fashion, and Hospitality Collided to Redefine a Sports Brand, with the NY Liberty’s Chief Brand Officer
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Shana Stephenson, Chief Brand Officer of the New York Liberty, to explore how culture, fashion, and hospitality can redefine not only a brand, but an entire fan experience.
From reimagining game day as a full-sensory event to positioning the NY Liberty as a lifestyle brand, Shana shares how she infused elements of design, community
The Hospitality Blueprint: Meet the Designer Behind Some of the World’s Most Iconic Hotels
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Julie Frank, Vice President of Design at Aspen Hospitality Group. Originally from South Africa, Julie started her career as an architect in New York before transitioning into broader hospitality design. Having worked for notable companies and brands such as Rockwell Group, Nobu, W Hotels, Le Meridien, St. Regis, AvroKO, and more, Julie no
One Year of Suite Success: Your Most Loved Conversations and What They Taught Us
On this special one year anniversary episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline reflects on the podcast's journey over the past year. Tune in for heartfelt stories of personal hardship and behind the scenes tales of the creation of the show, culminating in its acquisition by Skift.
Katie also debuts the top five most-loved episodes from the year featuring insightful conversations with industry
How This CEO Turned Mentorship Into a Superpower at a 100+ Year Old Company
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality, to explore how he harnessed the power of mentorship to modernize a company with a 100+ year heritage.
Having led teams across multiple regions and industries, Agnelo shares how investing in people and nurturing talent can transform both careers and organizations.
In this conversation, the
How Living in 7 Countries Made This CEO a Master of Transferable Skills
On this episode of Suite Success, Katie Cline sits down with Phil McAveety, CEO of Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, together in New York City at Skift Global Forum. From advertising to sports, retail, and hospitality, Phil’s career demonstrates how transferable skills and storytelling drive exceptional guest experiences. Having lived in seven countries across four continents, he brings a global persp
The Design Secrets That Built a Business (and a Marriage)
On this episode of Suite Success, Katie Cline chats with Bella and Levi Linchenko, the powerhouse couple who co-founded co-founders of Let's Go Design Co. As married real estate investors and coworkers, Bella and Levi have managed to merge love, strategy, and design into a thriving business and partnership. From their Hallmark level meet-cute to running a boutique short-term rental and design firm
The Travel Secrets Only an Editor in Chief Knows, with Travel + Leisure’s Jacqui Gifford
What does it take to lead one of the world’s most iconic travel magazines in a time when travel is constantly evolving?
On this episode of Suite Success, Katie Cline sits down with Jacqui Gifford, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure. The two talk about how Jacqui’s global upbringing influenced her love for travel, her dynamic journey from studying English at Princeton to becoming a prominent figu
“That’s What the Money’s For”—The Truth About Wealth, According to Investopedia Editor in Chief
What’s the real difference between being rich and being wealthy? And is investing really just a fancier name for gambling?
On this episode of Suite Success, Katie Cline sits down with Caleb Silver, Editor-in-Chief of Investopedia and host of The Investopedia Express. Caleb shares his remarkable path from producing wildlife documentaries in Central and South America to leading one of the world’s m
Creative Financing Secrets Fueling Hotel Acquisitions
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Kassidy Warren—hotel investor and host of the For Your Own Good podcast.
Kassidy shares his journey from a disillusioned corporate engineer to a successful real estate investor, specializing in hotels and short-term rentals worth $13 million. From walking away from burnout, to taking up van life, to buying short-term rentals and ultimat
The Biggest Mistakes Hotel Leaders Make (and How to Avoid Them)
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Richard Brekelmans, a seasoned hospitality executive with more than three decades of experience at Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and now the founder of RICHMANS Hospitality Advisory.
Katie and Richard dive into his unique perspective on the hospitality industry, having worked on every side of it—from being the
The Social Media Expert on How to Turn Followers Into Bookings
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Emily Lethgo, founder of Match Point Socials and a seasoned social media strategist specializing in short-term rentals and hospitality. Emily pulls back the curtain on the ever-evolving world of social media marketing, revealing the biggest mistake hosts make to hold back bookings.
From the power of authentic engagement to the se
A Match Made in Marketing: How a Blind Date (Set Up by Me!) Created a Hospitality Power Couple
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes two of her longtime colleagues and friends: Yamil Errasti, the Founder of Everything Now, a marketing studio that helps brands find their voice and cut through the noise; and Pelayo Pintado, the CEO and Founder of Idónea Comunicación, one of the top PR and communications agencies in Spain.
They also happen to be married — and Katie take
Why Every City is a Food City, According to Top Chef’s Gail Simmons
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Top Chef judge and culinary storyteller Gail Simmons to talk travel, taste, and the unexpected power of a good meal.
From her early days in food media to two decades on Top Chef, Gail reflects on how curiosity—and a few bold leaps—shaped her career. She shares how food became her lens for understanding people and places, and why th
The “Super Bowl of Travel”: Inside Travel + Leisure’s World's Best Summit
On this very special episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline takes you behind the velvet rope of Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Summit. The event, described by one panelist as the “Super Bowl of Travel” brought together influential voices from across the industry for keynote speeches, panel discussions, and spirited debates on the trends shaping global travel today. Katie shares personal
The Gen Z Expert on How to Attract Tomorrow’s Guests and Today’s Talent
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline talks with Dr. Meghan Grace—generational researcher, podcast host, and resident Gen Z expert—to break down what makes each generation tick and how those insights can unlock better hiring, stronger culture, and more thoughtful guest experiences.
Meghan shares why Gen Z is craving more than a paycheck—and why hospitality might be the perfect matc
How this Master of Property Management Scaled to 100+ Short-Term Rentals
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline speaks with Patryk Swietek, owner of The Cohost Company. Patryk is a master of property management and serial entrepreneur who scaled his portfolio to over 100 short-term rentals in just one year. He shares how he built and acquired property management companies and reveals the mindset that helped him grow fast—despite the inevitable mistakes alon
He Survived Brain Cancer—And Became Italy’s Most Celebrated Hotelier
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Paolo Lorenzoni, the legendary General Manager of The Gritti Palace. Known for hosting world dignitaries, celebrities, and royalty, Paolo opens up about his extraordinary career—and the diagnosis that nearly ended it all.
Before arriving at The Gritti, Paolo held leadership roles at some of the most prestigious hotels in the worl
A Life Rewritten After Tragedy: Weekender Hotels CEO on Sentencing, Sobriety and Starting Over
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Keir Weimer, Founder and CEO of Weekender Hotels. His journey is one of profound transformation, marked by tragedy, resilience, and remarkable reinvention.
At just 23 years old, Keir was involved in a tragic accident that claimed the life of his best friend. Sentenced to 2-6 years in prison, what followed was not just time served
How this Founder Built the Tinder for Hotel Tech
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline chats with Jasmine Seliga, the founder and CEO of Affixify- an unbiased, algorithm-based platform that matches hotels with hospitality technology providers.
With a career spent selling hospitality software, leading corporate sales teams, and consulting for tech companies, Jasmine knows just how fragmented and overwhelming the hotel tech landsca
The Boutique Hotel Expert on Why it’s Easier Than You Think to Own a Hotel
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by Blake Dailey, a boutique hotel investor and former military officer who scaled his business from a single short-term rental to six hotels and six short-term rentals located in multiple states.
Blake shares his journey of transitioning from the military to full-time real estate investing, the strategies he used to grow his portfoli
From Branding to Bar Design: Four Seasons’ VP of F&B on Why Life’s Too Short to Have a Bad Meal
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Michael Doneff, Vice President of Global Food and Beverage Concept and Brand Development for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. From his Midwestern roots in Minnesota to overseeing Michelin-starred restaurants in France, Michael shares the unexpected journey that shaped his taste—and his career.
You’ll hear why simplicity trumps spectacle,
Hygge Over Hustle: Why This CPA Walked Away From the White House (Literally)
In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline chats with Kerri Gibson— former CPA and corporate tech executive turned boutique hotelier, chalet host, and founder of Experiences Hygge. What started as a sabbatical to recover from burnout quickly turned into a passion for hospitality, renovation, and creating warm, welcoming spaces rooted in intention. Kerri shares how her journey from the boar
Exclusive First Look: Virtuoso's Summer 2025 Travel Trends
Summer travel is heating up—and we’ve got the data to prove it. In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Misty Belles, Vice President of Global Public Relations at Virtuoso, the world’s leading luxury and experiential travel network. Dubbed the Wander Woman of Travel, Misty shares an exclusive first look at Virtuoso’s top travel trends for Summer 2025—just in time for Memorial D
The Untold Story of Travel’s Biggest Disruptor: The Points Guy
In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down for a candid conversation with Brian Kelly, known to millions as “The Points Guy”. The trailblazing founder of the world’s most influential travel and points platform pulls back the curtain on how the idea for a points travel agency evolved into a personal blog — and ultimately grew into a global media empire with a fiercely loyal global
How a Bad Vacation Selfie and a Pawned Engagement Ring Took Flytographer from Side Hustle to Eight-Figures
In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Nicole Smith, the visionary founder of Flytographer — the world’s first global vacation photography platform. What started as a creative side hustle after a weekend in Paris with her best friend has grown into an eight-figure, profitable business that spans over 350 destinations and has helped over 100,000 travelers capture meaningf
The Story Behind the Story: What You Didn’t Know About Marriott’s Starwood Acquisition—and the Company’s Surprising Rebirth
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with one of the most influential communications leaders in hospitality and beyond: KC Kavanagh. Currently serving as the Chief Communications Officer for Visa, KC has also held top communications roles at companies like AT&T, Bacardi, and, of course, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Throughout her 18 year tenure with the hotel company, she hel
How This ‘Accidental’ Hotelier Rebuilt the Rainforest—and Was Voted #1 in the World
On this Earth Day-inspired episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline welcomes Leo Ghitis, the visionary owner of Nayara Resorts. Leo is an entrepreneur who’s redefining what it means to run luxury eco-lodges with purpose. He personifies blending a deep love of nature with his mission-driven mindset, resulting in an unwavering commitment to transformative hospitality. His properties have earned gl
The Branding Test That Built a Billion-Dollar Hotel Empire
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by Chris Holdren, a visionary marketing leader whose career has shaped some of the world’s most iconic hospitality and entertainment brands. Most recently, Chris served as EVP Chief Marketing Officer and later Co-President of Caesars Digital, where he helped lead the brand’s foray into the digital gaming world.
Katie and Chris first met
No Money, No Problem: How This Designer Turned $0 Into a $3M Real Estate Empire
On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews Madi Johnson, a design-driven short-term rental investor known for transforming historic homes in upstate New York into impeccable guest-centric retreats. She’s also the co-founder of The Short-Term Rental Book Club, a community for hospitality entrepreneurs to learn, connect, and grow in the ever-evolving short-term rental industry. Ma
