When Chet Pipkin moved from founding Belkin to creating Desolation Hotel, he brought with him a deep curiosity about how people experience the world—and a lifelong habit of solving problems through design.
In this episode, Chet shares how he and his team built Desolation Hotel to create what he calls “aha moments”—those small surprises that make a guest’s stay effortless and memorable. From EV chargers and Dyson hair dryers to stocked kitchenettes and heated floors, every detail is intentional. But what matters most isn’t the amenities themselves—it’s the way Chet thinks about hospitality: removing friction, anticipating needs, and empowering guests to have the experience they want.
If you care about designing thoughtful guest experiences, leading with authenticity, and learning how product thinking can elevate hospitality, this conversation offers powerful insight into what true care looks like in practice.
A few more resources:
If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!
Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
