SMACK Hospitality – Details, episodes & analysis

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SMACK Hospitality

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/22d. Total Eps: 117

Welcome to SMACK! Just like our name, everything we do here is a little different and yet you’ll probably have more fun here than elsewhere. SMACK Hospitality Media is your one-of-a-kind source for hospitality and tourism-related edutainment. It is our mission to provide fun and engaging content for industry professionals in modern media formats. With our podcast we aim to give everybody around the world the chance to meet key decision-makers and trailblazers of the hospitality industry. Chasing that ambitious goal, our hospitality podcast airs twice a month between September and July. So, join the conversation, tune in and never ever lose your curiosity. Enjoy the show!

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Stijn Oyen - Design Hotels | Selective by Design, Independence at Scale & The Marriott Partnership

Episode 119

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 35:34

350 hotels. 58 countries. And they reject 95% of hotel applications. Ouch. Fritz caught up with Stijn Oyen, Managing Director of Design Hotels, at upnxt26 - organised by Elevatr Hospitality - to talk about how you build a global brand without selling your soul… Fun fact: Stijn's career started in a two-star Michelin kitchen. He still runs hospitality like a chef: teamwork, zero compromises, and every detail has to be perfect or it doesn't leave the pass. Now, here's what Stijn shared: - Curation is the Superpower Design Hotels gets 400+ applications a year. Only 5% make it in. They're not just collecting properties, but rather building a community of visionaries. (And 60% of their owners are first-timers. Bold moves only.) - The Marriott Trade-Off Design Hotels brought Marriott 90 new destinations. In return? Access to Marriott Bonvoy's global reach and serious commercial firepower, while staying fiercely independent. - Travelers Want to Be Changed Nobody books a trip to feel exactly the same afterward. People want to learn something, connect with locals, and come home as a slightly better version of themselves. The bar has officially been raised. So… Ready to hear how Design Hotels stays fiercely independent while playing in the big leagues? Hit play. This month of SMACK is sponsored by RoomPriceGenie.

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Lily Wecker - Aethos | Human-to-Human Hospitality, Building for Connection & Owner's Mindset

Episode 118

Monday, June 15, 2026 • Duration 41:34

What if the best hotels stopped trying to worship you? Flo just sat down with Lily Wecker, CEO of Aethos, who's building hotels that treat you like an actual human being. No pedestals, no scripts: just real conversation, human to human. Revolutionary? Maybe. Refreshing? Absolutely. This episode was recorded at the amazing IHIF EMEA, and is brought to you by our sponsor RoomPriceGenie. Check them out in the comments! Now, here's the tea Lily spilled: - Gen Z Is Lonely (And Aethos' Got the Fix) Gen Z: socializing less, dating less, drinking less. Living their best lives? Not quite. Aethos stepped in with programming, emotional density (yes, that's a thing), and spaces literally designed for you to bump into interesting humans. - They're the Impressionists of Hospitality Lily compared their current bold brand campaigns to 19th-century rule breakers. The impressionists were controversial, rejected, mocked, and then became icons. The take-away: Aethos isn't afraid to experiment, break a few rules, and be avant-garde. - Owner's Mindset = Superpower Lily's leadership philosophy? Own your mistakes, give your team psychological safety to experiment, and stay relentlessly optimistic. That's how you build something that lasts. Ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about luxury? Hit play. Enjoy the show!

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Barbara Muckermann - Kempinski Hotels | The Good Life Business Model, Asset-Heavy Plays & The Power of Heritage

Episode 117

Monday, May 11, 2026 • Duration 40:07

“There are a lot of logos in this industry. Very few brands.” When Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, drops a line like that at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, you sit up straight. What's the difference between a real luxury brand and just a fancy logo, you may ask? In the latest SMACK episode, Fritz gets the unfiltered answer from Barbara. They're talking heritage, gravitas, and turning the 'good life' into a serious business model. On the table: - Logos vs. Brands Why most “luxury” brands are just logos with attributes, and how a 170+ year-old brand gives Kempinski an unfair advantage. - The Good Life Kempinski as the curator of joy: open-to-the-city lobbies, locals in the bar, and giving guests “permission to enjoy.” - Asset-Heavy, On Purpose Why Kempinski is moving towards more asset control in a world obsessed with asset-light models. Tune in now on all platforms and hear how one of hospitality’s sharpest brand minds is steering a luxury icon into its next chapter. Enjoy the show!

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Eu Chin Fen - Frasers Hospitality | Real Talk on Career Growth, Human Judgment & The Value Chain

Episode 116

Monday, April 13, 2026 • Duration 41:37

What if the most important career advice you get this year comes from an ex-investment banker? That's exactly what happened when Florian sat down with the incredible Eu Chin Fen, CEO of Frasers Hospitality, for a LIVEPodcast at IHIF EMEA’s Under 30s Hangout. Eu Chin Fen didn't come from a traditional hotel background, and that's exactly why her take on how to win in this industry is a highlight. Here's a taste of the wisdom she dropped: - Connect the dots (all of them) Your job isn't just your department. From the FrontDesk to the P&L, understand how the whole thing works. Know which line item your role impacts. That's your superpower. - AI can't replace your judgment So, stop panicking about robots taking over! Tech is just a tool. Your real, irreplaceable value comes from your experience and the judgment calls you make. AI can't do that for you. - Authenticity is non-negotiable The most important leadership skill? Being a real human. Especially in a crisis, being vulnerable and finding the "path of truth" is what actually inspires people. Forget the old-school playbook. Ready for a career masterclass without the corporate fluff?

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Jan Heringa - Leonardo Hotels | From Brand Launches to Construction Curveballs

Episode 115

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • Duration 46:46

"Projects always go wrong." That’s not us being cheeky, that’s a direct quote from a VP of Development. This week, Florian’s got Jan Heringa, VP Development and Project Management at Leonardo Hotels, in the SMACK spotlight. From kitchen chaos at 15 to masterminding the launch of iconic brands like NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels across Europe, Jan’s career is pure, unfiltered hotelier grit. But trust us, it’s not all smooth openings and clinking champagne glasses. They’re tearing down the curtain on: - The investment strategy that powered Leonardo Hotels’ massive Central Europe expansion, fifteen new properties in just one year - The absolute chaos of hotel construction, and the learning process behind budget overruns, timeline nightmares, and finding five layers of tiles during a renovation - Why sustainability became a must in the hospitality industry—it’s gone from “nice-to-have” to the only way to sign new deals and secure financing in today’s market Now, here’s Jan’s unvarnished advice for young hoteliers: forget shortcuts. Walk the talk, get your hands dirty in every department, and build that solid foundation. Ready for the truth about building a hospitality empire, straight from the guy who lives it? Enjoy the show!

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Lennert De Jong - Another Star | Flipping the Script on Brands, Tech, and the Marriott Move

Episode 114

Monday, January 19, 2026 • Duration 42:43

The brand is sold, the tech is integrated, and a new star is rising. If you are wondering what hotel operations will actually look like in the next few years, Lennert De Jong is already there, blueprint in hand. In the latest SMACK episode, Florian sits down with the CEO of Another Star (and ex-CitizenM legend) to unpack one of the most talked-about moves in hospitality lately: CitizenM selling the brand to Marriott. Yep. That one. They get into how Lennert and his team pulled off a record-speed tech integration in four months (casual) and why the so-called “death of loyalty” is wildly exaggerated in the age of AI. What is on the table: - The Marriott move: why selling the brand but keeping operations was the smartest scale play in the room. - Another Star is born: how CitizenM turned into a white-label operator with serious firepower. - AI and distribution: why AI agents might actually help hotels claw back direct bookings from the OTAs. - Loyalty, upgraded: why Marriott Bonvoy is still a cheat code for conquering the world’s biggest cities. Hit play on all platforms and check out how Lennert and his team decided to flip the game once again. Think big hotel chains are dinosaurs? This episode might ruin that narrative. Enjoy the show!

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Rafat Ali - Skift l Building a Travel Media Empire That Actually Matters

Episode 113

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 • Duration 01:01:48

Building a travel media empire isn’t for the faint-hearted, and Rafat Ali knows exactly what he’s talking about. This December, Fritz sits down with Rafat, founder and CEO of Skift, for a conversation loaded with insider insights on travel media, startups, and the raw realities of running a global brand. They get into everything from how Skift carved out a voice that matters worldwide, to keeping pace in a whirlwind industry, Rafat’s personal journey navigating the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and even their thoughts on New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. In other words, here’s what you’ll hear about: - Media Mastery: how Skift became the global voice of travel, and how Rafat sees the next chapter unfolding - Industry Dynamics: what’s actually driving travel trends beyond the headlines and the hype - Founder Life: his personal path and the lessons learned Hit play, this one hits both the head and the gut. Enjoy the show!

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Dirk Bakker – Colliers | The Money Moves Behind Hospitality’s Hottest Destinations

Episode 112

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 • Duration 45:54

Money talks, but hotels walk the walk! And Dirk Bakker knows exactly which ones are worth your attention… We’re warming up this month of November with an episode packed with insider perspectives from Dirk, Head of EMEA Hotels at Colliers. During the Future Hospitality Summit 2025 in Dubai, Dirk and Fritz dove into what’s shaping hotel investments, how destinations get Instagram-famous overnight, and much more... In other words, you’ll hear about: - Investment Outlook EMEA: trends, risks, and where the smart money is going - Travel & Experience: the destinations that still deliver jaw-dropping guest moments - AI & Service: which parts of hospitality tech can replace humans, and which can’t… Enjoy the show!

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Elie Milky – Radisson Hotel Group | Talking Global Growth, Lifestyle Hotels & Branded Residences

Episode 111

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 • Duration 48:14

What does it really take to grow a hotel brand across continents? SMACK is back with an episode packed with insider insights from Elie Milky, Chief Development Officer of Radisson Hotel Group for the Middle East, North East Africa, Cyprus, and Greece. In preparation for the upcoming Future Hospitality Summit, he joined Fritz in Dubai to unpack how Radisson Hotel Group develops brands that last, navigates lifestyle hotels, and explores the booming world of branded residences. In this episode: • How Radisson Hotel Group sniffs out concepts that actually stick as brands • Lifestyle hotels: why being “cool” beats collecting stars • Branded residences: hype, bling, and whether buyers actually get their money’s worth • Europe vs Middle East: markets, madness, and money moves If you thought hotel development was boring… think again. Enjoy the show!

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Christopher Hartley & Simon Naudi - GHA & Corinthia | Loyalty, Luxury & Grand Boutique Hotels

Episode 110

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 • Duration 39:10

Two industry titans in one iconic room?! SMACK Season 7 is officially starting, and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off. Christopher Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, and Simon Naudi, Group CEO of Corinthia Hotels, joined Fritz at the stunning Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels during the GHA’s annual CEO meeting. The result? A masterclass in loyalty, luxury, and GRAND Boutique. In this Season 7 opener: • Why GHA’s #loyalty model is winning over independent brands • How #Corinthia blends grand hotels with boutique soul • What tomorrow’s #luxurytraveler actually wants, and expects • Why local authenticity still rules in a global game This bomb of an opening episode is live now on all platforms! Hit play, take notes, and welcome to a brand new season of SMACK. Enjoy the show!

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SMACK Hospitality – Details, episodes & analysis

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SMACK Hospitality – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify