The Turndown: The Podcast for Hoteliers – Details, episodes & analysis

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 independents in terms of funding, brand awareness, and loyalty programs, as well as which key technology investments to prioritize.

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 shares her perspective on how the industry needs to adapt to appeal to the upcoming generation of leaders.  

Additional resources on this topic:  

• A 2024 guide to hotel automation 
• What is a hotel chatbot? 9 benefits and key features to look for

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 partnerships, and beyond. Get to know more about his passion and future vision for the industry, plus the other career path he almost followed instead.  

Additional resources on this topic: 

• State of Independent Lodging Report 
• CloudTalks: Strengthening Your Distribution Strategy with the Right Channel Mix 

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 revenue managers greater results, more informed decision-making, and even better storytelling. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• The ultimate guide to hotel revenue management 
• What is a hotel compset and why is it important for pricing? 

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 inflation, costs, and guest expectations have presented hurdles in running a hospitality business in today’s post-pandemic world – plus details about his surprising and impressive morning routine.  

Additional resources on this topic: 

• How to meet – and exceed – guest expectations 
• Managing hotel guest communications for the modern traveler 

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 difference between implementing green initiatives vs greenwashing in housekeeping. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• Housekeeping training manual and SOP
• Housekeeping Checklist

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 culture. Julie discusses measuring your property's full sustainability impact, plus how to make positive choices as a traveler when it comes to choosing destinations and excursions.

Additional resources on this topic:

• The top green certifications for your eco hotel (global & regional)
• 11 hotel eCommerce strategies for selling more rooms online

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 bootstrapping businesses head-on – plus how he maintains a loyal staff to help shoulder the load. 

Additional resources on this topic: 

• 5 ways RV parks and campgrounds can boost bookings with software
• How hotel operating costs affect the bottom line

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 challenges stand in the way of that? James explains, as well as shares funny stories of when he has gotten caught without cash on hand.

Additional resources on the topic: 

• 3 ways to provide a better payment experience for your guests
• Hotel payment processing with Cloudbeds

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 are struggling with staffing issues? Sarah shares her experience, tips, and her ambition to design the perfect toiletry bag.

Additional resources on this topic:

• Facing a labor shortage at your property? Here’s how technology can help
• What is a GDS & how can it help increase occupancy?