Some people enter hospitality by accident. Others are born into it—raised at tables where the meal was just the beginning of the experience.

For Bobby Quintal, hospitality isn’t just a career —  it’s a lifelong passion shaped by growing up in New Orleans, one of the most culturally rich and culinary-driven cities in the world.

From his early days working in restaurants to leading development for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, one of the most highly regarded restaurant groups in the world, Bobby has spent his career crafting memorable spaces that blend food, design, and storytelling.

Now, as a partner at Sandstone Hospitality, Bobby is helping redefine boutique hotels—breathing new life into historic properties like The Columns, building brand-new destinations like Hotel Henrietta, and weaving F&B-forward hospitality into every project.

In this episode, we dive into:

Connect with Bobby

Learn more about Sandstone

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

Imagine owning so many homes around the world that you lose track of them—so instead of letting them sit empty, you hire someone to manage them, curate them, and quietly offer them to an elite circle of travelers who can afford $20,000-a-night stays.

If that’s the world you live in, you might hire Wolf Worster lives in.

As the founder of Sirreti, a private network shaping the ultra-luxury villa and private residence industry, Wolf works with high-net-worth individuals, property managers, and travel advisors to create the most exclusive stays on the planet — homes so private and so pristine, they don’t even appear on public listings.

One of his clients? Michael Dell, the billionaire founder of Dell Computers. That’s the level we’re talking about here.

But what makes a property truly ultra-luxury? And how has high-end travel changed as younger billionaires step onto the scene, throwing traditional expectations out the window?

In this episode, we explore:

Connect with Wolf

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

Meet Ian Joseph — real estate investor turned hospitality entrepreneur — who is on a mission to bring a new kind of micro-resort experience to life.

 What started as a simple desire to buy a vacation home led him to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, a historic spa town with deep hospitality roots.

Now, Ian is in the early stages of launching Branch, an experiential micro-resort designed to blend striking architecture, immersive nature experiences, and strong community connections.

Branch hasn’t broken ground yet, but Ian is deep in the trenches — securing financing, finalizing design plans, and laying the foundation for what he hopes will be the first of many unique stays. Inspired by brands like Live Oak Lake, he’s determined to build a hospitality concept that goes beyond beautiful accommodations and taps into the story, history, and culture of its location.

In this episode, we dive into:

Follow Branch on Instagram 

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

Meet John Rutledge, founder of Oxford Capital Group and creator of the Godfrey Hotels—an innovative collection of boutique properties that blend upscale luxury with a social, lifestyle-driven experience.

In this episode, John discusses:

John’s dual experience of owning and operating both chain-affiliated and independent properties makes this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of hospitality, boutique hotel branding, and entrepreneurial success. His rare perspective provides a roadmap for navigating the evolving demands of today’s luxury travelers and shaping the next wave of hotel innovation.

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

Meet Morgan Brown, the force behind new portfolio additions at Inspirato, the premier luxury travel membership that unlocks access to some of the world’s most exclusive homes, hotels, and experiences.

Inspirato isn’t just about five-star stays—it’s about curating seamless, high-touch, high-design travel for discerning members who expect the extraordinary. But what exactly do today’s luxury travelers want? And how is the concept of loyalty evolving in an era of shifting preferences?

In this episode, we explore:

Morgan offers rare insights into the minds of today’s high-net-worth traveler, revealing what they crave, what keeps them loyal, and where the industry is headed next. If you’re fascinated by the future of curated travel experiences, this episode is a must-listen.

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

Meet Brian Linton—entrepreneur, brand builder, and now a rising force in boutique hospitality. From founding the sustainable apparel company United by Blue to transforming rundown motels into sought-after boutique stays, Brian has mastered the art of brand storytelling and customer experience.

His hospitality journey started unexpectedly in 2020 when he and his wife purchased a neglected roadside motel in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. What began as a pandemic side project became The Rex, a high-design boutique retreat that quickly gained a cult following. From there, Brian expanded into new ventures—including Ferncrest, a glamping brand that’s pioneering a fresh approach to hospitality franchising.

In this episode, we dive into:

Brian is redefining what it means to build a hospitality brand in the modern era—where content, community, and commerce intersect. If you’re fascinated by the future of boutique hotels, unique stays, and experiential travel, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Follow Brian on Instagram

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

Sean Breuner and Reuben Doetsch saw an opportunity to transform the short-term rental space long before the industry exploded. In 2017, they set out to build AvantStay, a brand that blends the best of boutique hospitality with the freedom of private homes.

Their approach is anything but casual. Every property is meticulously designed, every experience carefully curated. While others rushed into the space during the pandemic, Sean and Reuben were already scaling with precision, setting a new standard for high-end vacation rentals.

In this episode, we explore:

Sean and Reuben are building more than just a portfolio of stunning homes—they’re redefining what hospitality looks like in the short-term rental space. If you’re interested in the future of luxury travel, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about AvantStay

Connect with Sean and Reuben on LinkedIn.

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

Meet Dan Flannery, a hospitality leader with an extraordinary career, has spent decades redefining luxury travel. From his early days at Marriott to helping launch the Edition brand with Ian Schrager, and now leading operations at Loews Hotels, Dan’s journey is a masterclass in blending vision with execution.

Guided by a belief that true luxury lies in refinement and authenticity, Dan’s approach to hospitality is both rooted in tradition and forward-thinking. His story is one of passion, precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

In this episode, Zach sits down with Dan to explore his remarkable career and gain a deeper understanding of the trends shaping luxury hospitality today.

Tune in to hear how...

Dan’s story is a powerful reminder that great hospitality starts with visionaries who aren’t afraid to push boundaries. Whether you’re dreaming of opening a single boutique property or building a brand that scales globally, this conversation offers invaluable lessons from one of the industry’s brightest minds.

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

Meet Frances Kiradjian, founder and CEO of the Boutique Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA) and a leading voice and force in the independent boutique hotel space. 

Fran’s journey began in the corporate travel world, managing massive accounts like Disney and Toyota. But it was her bold decision to champion the boutique hotel sector—long before it was trendy—that cemented her legacy. Since founding BLLA in 2009, Fran has built a thriving community for independent hoteliers and other hospitality entrepreneurs.

In this episode, we uncover:

Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Fran. 

Connect with Fran

Learn more about BLLLA

Rachel Alday, co-founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, has been quietly redefining what it means to deliver high-end hospitality in the heart of the mountains. With a background in marketing and her husband Rob’s roots in real estate, the duo created a company that marries meticulous service with a deep love for ski-town culture.

Abode’s journey began humbly in Park City, but today it spans over 200 elite properties in three coveted destinations: Park City, Jackson Hole, and Sun Valley. Guided by the belief that true luxury is about connection and authenticity, Rachel has built a brand that thrives on personal touches and an unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction.

In this episode, Rachel takes us behind the scenes of her luxury rental empire and shares how Abode has earned its reputation as a trusted name in vacation rentals.

Learn more about Abode Luxury Rentals

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by IMN! The countdown is on for the premier Short Term Rental Forum hosted by IMN—the industry leader with over 30 years of experience! Join me on January 15-16 at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort where I'll be speaking at the forum, and you’ll have the chance to network with 400+ top investors, operators, property managers, lenders, and tech providers in the Short Term Rental space. It’s the must-attend event of the year to elevate your business strategy and connect with the industry's best. Don’t miss out – you can use code BTS for an extra 15% off the final tickets. Register now at events.imn.org/str25 – I’ll see you in Miami!

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. 

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.