Behind the Stays

Why Most Hotel Developments Feel Soulless — And How Zach Rapaport Plans to Change That.

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What does it take to transform real estate development into something more than just bricks and mortar—into places with soul, story, and unforgettable experiences?

Today’s guest, Zach Rapaport, is on a mission to answer that question. As the founder of Meerkat Development, he’s redefining what it means to build hospitality and lifestyle-driven spaces from the ground up.


His journey started in construction — literally digging foundations — and evolved into leading development projects for some of the most compelling hospitality brands today, including Joe & The Juice, Selina, and Lifehouse.

From scaling global F&B concepts to crafting boutique hotels that blend place and purpose, Zach has been at the forefront of experience-first hospitality development. In this episode, Zach pulls back the curtain on:

  • Why most developments feel soulless — and how he’s changing that.
  • What it takes to design hospitality concepts that aren’t just trendy, but timeless
  • The 75/25 rule of brand consistency — how much a space should adapt to its location vs. maintain its DNA
  • The untapped opportunity in storytelling-driven development (and why it’s a competitive advantage)
  • Lessons from scaling Joe & The Juice across the U.S., building lifestyle hotels at Selina, and leading development for Lifehouse

    • If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build experiences, not just properties — or how the future of hospitality is being shaped by people who think like creatives but execute like developers — this one’s for you.

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    Behind the StaysBy Zach Busekrus
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