Hotel Operations

🏨 TPG Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, will manage five Marriott-branded select service hotels in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas, as announced in May 2025. The partnership with Verge Management LLC expands TPG's presence in the south-central U.S., focusing on operational excellence and asset performance. This collaboration aims to enhance Verge Management's hospitality investments, leveraging TPG's industry expertise.

📚 Walter started working in the hospitality industry at age 14 in Kansas City as a dishwasher, inspired by Carlos Pena and Phil Pastelli. Pena, a maitre d' and immigrant, encouraged him to attend Cornell University for hospitality. In 1974-75, Pastelli, a key figure in the hotel industry and an alumnus of Cornell, wrote a recommendation letter for Walter, which was crucial for his admission. This support significantly shaped Walter's career trajectory, highlighting the impact of mentorship.

📱 Beaumier CEO Billy Skelli-Cohen discusses evolving hospitality trends on May 26, 2025. Over 20 years, guest experiences shifted from standardized luxury to personal, guest-led journeys. Exceptional service arises from empowered staff, highlighting the need for a culture of curiosity and emotional intelligence. Locations contribute naturally to experiences, while AI should enhance, not replace, human touch. Beaumier prioritizes authenticity and flexibility, allowing guests to craft meaningful experiences. Listen further on the Hospitality Daily podcast.

🏖️ 2025, the French Riviera: Billy of Beaumier emphasizes guest experience evolution over two decades. Hotels must allow guests to craft personal experiences without prescription. At Les Roches Rouges, flexibility in service is key, accommodating diverse guest needs. The focus is on staff happiness, as it directly influences guest experiences. A notable past shortfall was a rigid arrival process in Mauritius. Unexpected, genuine gestures, like a staff member playing football with a child, create memorable moments.

🌶 In spring 2023, Chef Maurilio Molteni of TOZI Victoria, London, highlights British asparagus, crafting it into stocks, pastas, and dishes to reduce waste. Techniques include blanching in salted water and refreshing in ice water. Popular asparagus recipes feature salads with quail eggs and truffle, tagliolini, and deep-fried with truffle mayo. Located at 8 Gillingham Street, Pimlico, TOZI maintains its original team since opening over a decade ago.

🏨 Global hospitality leaders like Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and IHG Hotels & Resorts manage thousands of hotels, ensuring consistent brand standards and leveraging centralized systems. Luxury-focused firms such as Aman Resorts and The Dorchester Collection prioritize high-touch experiences with fewer properties. Independent operators like Aimbridge Hospitality emphasize unique, locally inspired stays. Management styles vary: franchises offer owner control, while contracts and independent management allow for flexible approaches, all aiming to meet guest expectations and maintain brand identity.

🏨 Billy, CEO of Beaumier Hotels, blends design-driven thinking and local culture in boutique hospitality across Europe. He has a history with iconic luxury hotels in France, Switzerland, and Italy, and built the Lore Group, growing from 1 to 1,500 staff in a decade. Recently, Billy managed Eden Hotels in the Netherlands. Currently in Provence, Billy emphasizes guest experiences and a culture valuing feedback from young staff, key to enhancing hotel stays and addressing post-COVID staffing challenges.

🏨 May 23, 2025, travel experts at Expedia reveal strategies for free hotel upgrades. When? Travel during off-peak seasons for better odds. Where? Popular locales like Dubai. Who? Friendly, respectful guests. What? Mention real celebrations for thoughtful upgrades. How? Use subtlety instead of demands; communicate early with the hotel. Why? Kindness and charm can lead to perks without spending extra. For more details, visit [TimeOut](https://www.timeoutdubai.com/news/how-to-get-free-hotel-upgrade).

🏨 May 22, 2025, Kevin Kelleher, a former hotel leader and current account manager at Actabl, shared insights on the Hospitality Daily Podcast about hotel pre-opening and opening processes. His essential playbook aims to help avoid costly mistakes during these crucial phases. Check out the full episode for more expert advice on successful hotel launches.