What happens when a lifelong hotelier challenges the traditional franchise model — and discovers a better way to grow brands, revenue, and guest loyalty?

In today's episode, David and Steve sit down with Fredrick Schoener, Brand Director at Silverstone Inns and a lifetime hotelier known for his innovative approach to the hotel business, franchise models, and revenue growth.

Fredrick shares his incredible journey in hospitality — from front desk to owner, to brand director — and reveals why he believes membership-based hotel branding models will redefine the future of hospitality.

Today, you'll learn about:

• How hotel owners can make money, even in tough markets
• Why most properties rely more on OTAs than they admit
• How Gen Z will transform hotel ownership and branding
• Why thick franchise contracts hurt owners — and what to do instead
• The mindset needed to grow from entry-level employee to brand leader

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y7li-1ysP6g

Links:
Fredrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrick-schoener-cha-a5153517/
SilverStone Inns: https://www.silverstoneinns.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/225

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Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, Steve and David sit down with Tiffany Donato, Chief Investment Officer at Marcus Hotels & Resorts, for a candid deep dive into hotel investments, portfolio strategy, and the art of turning underused spaces into revenue and memorable experiences.

Tiffany shares lessons from Hyatt and beyond, why Marcus pairs long-term thinking with entrepreneurial experiments (think igloos, mocktails, and ski hills), and how co-investing, recapitalizations, and smart PIPs shape their expansion outside the Midwest. Plus: texting over email, AI for call handling, and why serving locals is a growth strategy.

You’ll learn:

• The Marcus blueprint for expansion beyond the Midwest
• How to underwrite labour, rate, and demand honestly (and still win)
• Practical activations that drive revenue
• Why co-investing and long-term thinking beat quarter-to-quarter pressure
• Simple tech moves that delight guests and reduce friction

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zYPYxG0AZJA

Links:
Tiffany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-leadbetter-donato-46b1027/
Marcus Hotels Management | Hotels, Resorts & Restaurants: https://www.marcushotels.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/224

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In today's episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Fredrik Sjoberg, the visionary CEO and founder of Maison — an AI-driven platform revolutionizing how hotels interact with guests and manage their digital presence. 

Fredrik's story is extraordinary — from acting on national TV and earning a Ph.D. at Harvard to leading hotel chains and founding two hotel tech companies. He shares how his diverse background shaped his leadership style, why AI will redefine hospitality forever, and how Maison helps hotels tackle labor shortages, improve upsells, and become “agent-ready” in the AI era.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI is transforming the hospitality and travel industry
• Why traditional SEO is dead (and how hotels should adapt)
• How conversational booking and AI agents will replace websites
• The importance of structured hotel data for discovery and direct bookings

This episode is sponsored by Maison: https://www.maison.cx/

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/D1KdWNEIC78

Links:
Fredrik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-sjoberg-6851174/

Maison: https://www.maison.cx/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/223

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Ever wondered how a world-class coffee program can transform a boutique hotel’s guest experience and boost revenue? 

In this episode, hosts David M. and Steve Carran sit down with Gage Johnston, Marketing Manager at Dalla Corte, to explore the art and science of coffee in hospitality. 

Gage shares his incredible journey in the coffee industry—from barista roles in California to launching his own startup, leading coffee programs for 300+ baristas, and now shaping B2B coffee solutions with Dalla Corte.

Discover insights on:

• How coffee programs elevate guest experiences in boutique and independent hotels
• Common mistakes hotels make when implementing coffee programs
• The role of automation and technology in modern coffee operations
• Trends to watch in 2026, including hyper-personalization and premium experiences
• Tips for designing convenient, innovative, and guest-focused coffee programs

If you’re in hospitality, hotel management, or F&B, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to create memorable guest experiences and boost on-premises revenue.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nxS-CPw7a7Y

Links:
Gage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gage-johnston-b59086229/

Dalla Corte: https://dallacorte.com/usa/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/222

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

On today's episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Will Gilbert, Co-Founder of Bodhi, at the company’s Training and Testing Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bodhi is transforming hospitality technology with a manufacturer-agnostic platform that unifies every system in a hotel—from door locks and lighting to PMS, POS, and housekeeping—into one seamless interface.

Will shares how Bodhi is solving one of the biggest challenges in the industry: fragmented hotel technology. Discover how their platform ensures 100% guest satisfaction through real-time system monitoring, predictive maintenance, and their suite of AI tools — including GuestGPT, Super Agent, and BodhiGPT — that proactively enhance both guest experience and hotel operations.

From building a state-of-the-art testing lab to expanding into multifamily, office, and healthcare sectors, Will gives us an inside look at Bodhi’s mission to redefine the way spaces connect and communicate.

Tune in to learn:

• How Bodhi integrates all hotel systems into one “single pane of glass.”
• The role of AI in creating smarter, more responsive guest experiences.
• How Bodhi’s testing lab ensures reliability and innovation across global installations.
• The company’s vision to extend hospitality beyond hotels into multifamily and healthcare environments.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/85Tti4IPHA8

Links:

Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-gilbert-0348586/
Bodhi: https://www.gobodhi.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/221

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Zack Gharib, the President of Red Roof, to explore leadership, innovation, and the future of hospitality.

Zack shares his incredible journey — from growing up in Lebanon and discovering his passion for hotels, to leading one of America’s most recognized hospitality brands. Learn how Red Roof is embracing AI-driven technology, enhancing the guest experience, and building a culture of genuine relationships and real results.

Discover what it takes to thrive in hotel management, lead through change, and balance guest satisfaction with franchisee success. Zack also opens up about his leadership lessons from Mr. Marriott, his transition from Marriott and La Quinta to Red Roof, and why relationships and culture remain at the heart of hospitality.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Red Roof is using AI and Hotel IQ to optimize pricing and revenue management
• The importance of team culture, leadership, and franchise relationships
• How technology is transforming the guest experience in 2025 and beyond
• Insights into Red Roof’s new mobile app, loyalty program, and guest analytics initiatives
• Why authentic leadership and passion are key to long-term success in hospitality

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V8hnpGv2IIA

Links:

Zack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-gharib/
Red Roof: https://www.redroof.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/220

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by the legendary Anthony Melchiorri to break down what’s been happening in the hospitality world throughout September.

From ongoing labor shortages and AI’s role in hotel operations, to the impact of the government shutdown on travel, visa challenges for international tourism, and skyrocketing holiday travel costs, the trio dives deep into the realities—and opportunities—facing hoteliers today.

Anthony shares his trademark candid takes on industry trends, training, and technology, plus some entertaining insights on everything from Delta’s YouTube partnership to the origin of resort fees (hint: he had something to do with it!).

Topics Covered:

• Why labor shortages might never go away—and how AI can actually help
• The effect of government shutdowns on travel and tourism
• Rising holiday travel costs and the AI-driven pricing challenge
• How airlines and hotels can better embrace technology
• Fun behind-the-scenes stories from Anthony’s 40-year hospitality career

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4_xZWfZz36A

Links:

• Labor Issues are hotels top challenge
• US Government Shutdown Affects US Travel (Another article)
• Visa Law is a new hurdle for tourists and business travelers
• Holiday Travel Trends
• Delta Partners with YouTube
• What is new with Anthony Melchiorri

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/219

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, we sit down with Robert Grosz, President & COO of WorldVue, a nearly 50-year leader in hospitality technology solutions. Bob shares his journey from the Midwest to the forefront of real estate and tech, and how culture, quick decision-making, and loyalty have shaped his leadership style.

We dive into:

• Why “culture eats strategy for breakfast” and how karaoke helped build stronger teams 
• The evolution of WorldVue from looping movies on VHS to delivering cutting-edge cloud-based guest experiences
• How mobile technology and personalization are transforming hospitality
• Why technology should be part of hotel design conversations from day one

Robert's insights highlight not only where hospitality tech is today, but also where it’s headed. This is a fun, thoughtful conversation packed with leadership lessons, industry trends, and a few Neil Diamond references.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/14OVBJ8FHro

This episode is sponsored by WorldVue — https://www.worldvue.com/

Links:

Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-g-9806552/
WorldVue: https://www.worldvue.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/218

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How can independent hotels win in today’s digital landscape with creators, podcasts, and emerging platforms?

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier Podcast, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with hospitality leaders Hillary Folkvord (Hotelier & Entrepreneur, Sacajawea Hotel), Melissa Benhaim (Founder of Benhaim Public Relations), Jennifer Glatt (M.A., Boutique & Independent Hotel Journalist & Storyteller), and Karla Cobreiro (Chief Credibility Officer, Cobreiro Comms) to uncover the strategies driving authentic storytelling, social media success, and hotel brand growth. 

From building trust through authentic, personality-driven storytelling to leveraging influencers and content creators, this panel explores how independent hotels can stand out in a competitive market.

You’ll learn:

• Why the best story wins when it comes to hotel branding and guest experience.
• How to create a cohesive brand voice across Instagram, podcasts, newsletters, and websites.
• Practical strategies for social media, video marketing, and PR outreach that actually drive bookings.
• The importance of hyperlocal collaborations with local businesses, guides, and vendors.
• What hotel leaders should look for when partnering with influencers and content creators.
• How AI search and platforms like Substack are changing the way hotels get discovered.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2bbOc5hZu-Q

Links:

Panelists

Melissa Benhaim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-benhaim-90263734/

Karla Cobreiro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-cobreiro/

Hillary Folkvord on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-folkvord-b777b313/

Jennifer Glatt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-glatt/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/217

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

We’re live from the Independent Hotel Show in Miami, Florida, joined by Munir Maluf, CEO & Founder of MP Parking.
In this episode, we dive into the future of hotel valet parking and how the Smart Valet Podium is transforming the guest arrival experience.

Munir shares his insights on:

•  Why the valet experience is the first impression of a hotel
•  How MP Parking bridges the gap between hotel culture and valet service
•  The importance of hotel involvement in parking operations
•  How MP Parking improves staff satisfaction and guest service

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YzScq585I50

Links:
Munir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/munir-maluf-0a6a1913/
Miami Parking Inc: https://www.parkmp.com/
Le VALET: https://www.levalets.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/216

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.