In this episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, Laurenz Schwarzhappel, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Global Living Apartments, explains how the company consistently achieves around 92% occupancy across nine German cities by doing what most hospitality operators avoid. Narrowing the guest segment, rethinking asset use, and automating everything possible.

Global Living Apartments focuses on families and group travelers, a segment traditional hotels struggle to serve. By converting commercial properties into short-stay apartments and operating with a deeply automated tech stack, the company delivers affordable, high-density stays with a lean team and minimal friction.

The conversation explores how this model performs not only in major cities, but also in smaller industrial markets where demand is stable and competition is limited.

Key themes explored:

• Why targeting families and groups unlocks consistently higher occupancy than hotels
• How operating in smaller cities like Jena and Chemnitz delivered 90%+ occupancy and exceeded financial expectations
• The regulatory advantage of converting commercial real estate into short-stay apartments in Germany
• How AI-driven guest communication saved 800–900 operational hours with a team of five
• Why automation should precede hiring, not follow it
• How tech-first operations reduce ADR while improving guest satisfaction
• What AI-driven booking assistants will change about demand, discovery, and niche positioning
• Why “if you address all, you address no one” is becoming a survival rule in hospitality
• Global Living’s expansion into property management services for smaller operators in 2026

For hospitality, short-stay, and living sector leaders, this episode reframes performance. The competitive edge is not scale alone, but clarity of segment, disciplined automation, and a willingness to operate where others are not looking.

Explore related industry analysis and strategic perspectives:
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Website: https://abodeworldwide.com
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In this episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham sits down with Ulrich Pillau, Co-founder & CEO of Apaleo, to explore how AI and API-first technology are redefining what modern hospitality looks like behind the scenes and in front of guests.

Uli explains why the industry is splitting between digital-first operators and legacy brands struggling to adapt, and why simply “moving to the cloud” won’t fix broken guest journeys without a fundamental rethink of operating models.

💡 In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
🤖 How AI and LLMs are changing how guests research, book, and interact
🏨 Why replacing a PMS doesn’t automatically modernise operations
🔌 How open, API-first platforms enable faster experimentation and innovation
🔄 The emergence of hybrid models blending hotels, serviced living, and niche lodging
⚠️ Why mid-market brands face consolidation pressure without real digital reinvention

A clear-eyed look at what hospitality must rethink now to stay competitive in an AI-driven world.

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski speak with Alexander Limpert, the founder behind RentalReady and GuestReady, to unpack how automation, data, and AI are transforming operational efficiency in short-term rentals.

💡 Highlights include:
 🤖 How RentalReady became the first PMS to integrate OpenAI, now powering a third-gen AI assistant
 💬 Why AI replies to “confident messages” but escalates complex ones to humans
 🏗️ Why GuestReady is shifting toward entire building management to strengthen revenue stability
 🌍 How geographic diversification helps manage regulatory volatility
 🛏️ Why GuestReady blends local authenticity with hotel-like standards for a differentiated stay
 📜 The case for reasonable, balanced STR regulation that protects housing and enables innovation

Alex makes the case for a future where smarter tools empower operators, improve guest experience, and support sustainable growth across the sector.

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In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Jason Hardman, Head of UK Living at CBRE, to explore how policy, planning, and private capital are reshaping the UK’s housing future.

💡 Highlights include:
 🏡 Why housing models must evolve to reflect modern lifestyles and longer life spans
 🏘️ How institutional investment is fueling growth in single-family rental
 📊 The UK’s 1.5 million homes target—and how to balance quality, speed, and sustainability
 🤝 How the Renters Reform Bill is changing landlord-tenant relationships
 ⚙️ Why tech-led service delivery is the key to happier renters and efficient operations

Jason offers a grounded, data-informed perspective on how the UK living sector can innovate without losing sight of long-term value, community, and trust.

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and co-host Kristian Lupinski sit down with Asli Kutlucan, CEO Europe at TFE Hotels, to explore how the company is bridging the gap between hotels and homes with its fast-growing Adina and  MM:MT (Moment) brands.

In this episode, Asli shares:
 🏨 Why casual living is the next evolution of modern hospitality
 🏗️ How adaptive reuse is unlocking new value from underused city buildings
 🤖 How the new GXP platform is transforming guest experience and staff operations
 🌍 Why flexible, service-led living is resonating with a generation on the move
 💬 How to balance tech-driven efficiency with authentic hospitality

From Berlin to Cambridge, Hamburg to Glasgow, TFE is leading a new era of living that’s flexible, connected, and human-centered.

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Stephanie Smith, Head of Residential at Muse, to unpack how thoughtful design, data, and collaboration are shaping the next era of residential living in the UK.

💡 Highlights include:
 🏡 Why responsive service and maintenance matter more than flashy amenities
 🌍 How early engagement with residents and local schools drives better design and safety
 📊 Why “tech for tech’s sake” is out — and data-driven benchmarking is in
 🌿 The financial and environmental benefits of Passive House design
 🏘️ How Muse balances regeneration and affordability without triggering gentrification

Stephanie’s insights offer a refreshing, pragmatic view on how to create homes that genuinely support communities — not just markets.

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Joe Persechino, COO of Yugo, to unpack the global growth trajectory of student accommodation and the strategies needed to meet demand.

💡 Highlights from the conversation:
 🌍 Why student numbers are rising from 240M to 400M by 2050
 📊 Why markets like the UK are 30% penetrated while Italy lags at only 5%
 🏢 How Yugo blends global brand consistency with local market nuance
 🤝 Why partnerships with universities and parents are critical for trust and growth
 🌱 How Gen Z expectations around sustainability and wellbeing are reshaping the student experience

Joe explains why PBSA is no longer a niche “alternative” but a core asset class attracting global institutional capital — and how Yugo is leading the way.

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Jonathan Burridge, Founder & CEO of Utopi, to explore how his company is helping operators cut costs, reduce carbon, and improve resident engagement through data-driven technology.

💡 Highlights include:
 ⚡ How Utopi uncovered 1,400% energy consumption variance in one building
 📊 Why ESG is shifting from “compliance” to performance and ROI
 🎮 Behavioral change campaigns that save energy and build community
🤖 The role of AI in streamlining workflows, insights, and customer features
🏨 How lessons from student housing can carry into hospitality and hotels

Jonathan shares a candid perspective on how tech can drive operational excellence—without losing sight of residents or community.

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Josef Vollmayr, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Limehome, to explore how the company is reshaping hospitality across Europe with efficiency, design, and digital-first operations.

💡 Highlights include:
 🌍 Why most travelers now value clean, functional stays over luxury touches
 🤖 How Limehome achieves 85% automation without losing the guest experience
 🏗️ The building strategies behind 72% space efficiency versus hotels at 50%
 📲 Why OTAs remain vital—and how Limehome still captures loyalty post-booking
 💶 How staffing, energy, and construction costs are forcing innovation in hospitality

Josef offers a candid, insider perspective on what it takes to scale hospitality today — and where the market is heading.

In this episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Kevin Murphy, Co-founder & COO of Renew, to explore how multifamily operators can turn one of their biggest weaknesses—renewals—into a relationship-driven advantage.

💡 Highlights include:
 🏘️ Why renewals should start on day one, not 60 days before expiry
 🏨 How “hotelification” is reshaping expectations in the rental world
 📊 Why fragmented operators struggle with loyalty—and how networks can solve it
 🤖 The balance between AI automation and human service recovery
 🌍 A vision for renting as part of the American dream by 2030

Kevin’s insights reveal a roadmap for operators to build loyalty, trust, and retention in a sector that has long struggled with churn.