The Modern Hotelier

What does it take to create a truly one-of-a-kind hospitality experience in the age of AI?
In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Janice Wilson, founder of Menizei and Territori to explore the intersection of hospitality, technology, real estate, AI, and category design.
Janice shares her unconventional journey from law and real estate to professional dance, entrepreneurship in Cambodia, software engineering at Amazon, and building a unique hospitality concept near Olympic National Park. She explains why she believes category can matter more than data when creating differentiated hotel experiences and why relying too heavily on competitors and traditional comp sets can lead to a “crisis of sameness.” She also discusses why lifestyle operators have an advantage when experimenting with AI, the challenges of building a custom hotel tech stack, and what larger hotel brands need to consider as AI becomes increasingly embedded in hospitality.
You’ll also hear Janice’s advice for aspiring hotel owners, why design should begin earlier in the development process, and what the future of hotel technology could look like.
In this episode, you’ll learn: 
Why category design can help hotels stand apart from competitors
The advantages and challenges of custom hotel tech stacks
Why lifestyle hotels can move faster than large brands
How storytelling can become a transformational guest experience
Why design should be part of a hotel's core concept—not just an amenity
If you're interested in hotel technology, AI in hospitality, hotel development, lifestyle hotels, guest experience, and the future of travel, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how hoteliers can think beyond traditional industry playbooks.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5sFviYGOx0k

Links:
Janice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicewilson/
Territori: https://territori.io/
Menizei: https://menizei.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/327
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.

What does it take to build technology that can truly transform hotel operations?
In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Kevin King, CEO of Shiji, for a wide-ranging conversation about hospitality technology, artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of the hotel industry.
Kevin shares his journey from working at a hotel front desk in Australia to leading a global hospitality technology company. He discusses how his experiences living and working in China shaped his leadership philosophy, what he learned from scaling MICROS across Asia Pacific, and why successful technology companies must ultimately be built around people, trust, and resilience.
The conversation also dives deep into AI in hospitality—and why hotels need to look beyond chatbots and flashy features. Kevin explains how connected platforms, APIs, data governance, security, compliance, and agentic AI can help hotels move from simply answering questions to actually completing operational tasks. Kevin shares his perspective on why AI will eventually become as invisible and essential as the internet, why hotels may be using only a fraction of the technology they already have, and why functionality should come before unnecessary processes and features.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
The evolution of hotel PMS and enterprise technology
How AI can create real operational value for hotels
Data security, privacy, compliance, and data sovereignty
Why connected platforms are critical for AI adoption
The importance of people, resilience, and trust in hospitality leadership
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YXhod3D2m2M
This episode is sponsored by Shiji: https://www.shijigroup.com/

Links:
Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-king-9689271/
Shiji Group: https://www.shijigroup.com/
For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/326
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.

What’s happening across the hospitality industry right now? 
In this episode of The Modern Hotelier Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Richard Sandoval, CEO of Spire Hospitality, to unpack the latest trends and biggest stories shaping the hospitality industry—from Airbnb’s growing move into hotels and OYO’s fake hotel listings to Hilton and Marriott’s push into wellness and experiential travel. They also dive into Google’s $10 million acquisition of Spirit Airlines’ data, the growing value of data and AI in travel, and what automation means for the future of hotel operations. 
Richard also shares his vision for Spire Hospitality, the importance of the owner-operator model, and why, even as AI transforms the industry, genuine human connection, hospitality, and personalized guest experiences will remain at the heart of the business.
 In this episode, you’ll learn more about: 
Airbnb partners with Lark Hotels
OYO takes bookings for fake rooms
Hilton launches Signia Restore & Marriot's Luxury Collection Unveils Expeditions
Google buys Spirit Airlines data for $10 million
What's new at Spire Hospitality

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oKdibg8m2z4

Links:
Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sandoval-434234184
Spire Hospitality: http://www.spirehotels.com/
For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/325
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 do you scale a boutique hotel company without losing the creativity, personality, and local connection that make independent hospitality so special?
In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jorgan von Stiening, President of Palisociety, to explore the strategy behind scaling a successful boutique hotel company while staying true to its brand and guest experience.
Jorgan shares his journey from accounting and hospitality consulting at Ernst & Young to joining Palisociety and helping the company grow from three hotels to a much larger portfolio across multiple brands and markets. He also breaks down Palisociety’s partnership with Design Hotels and Marriott Bonvoy, explaining how the company is using Marriott’s global reach and loyalty base while maintaining its independent identity.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to scale boutique hotels without losing their identity
Why systems and SOPs are critical to independent hotel success
The business value of in-house design, marketing, and branding
How Marriott Bonvoy is changing Palisociety’s customer acquisition strategy
What major events like the 2028 Olympics could mean for Los Angeles hotels
This episode is sponsored by Sip Tea: https://sip-tea-path.com/
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HNlQ5NDIyJo

Links:
Jorgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorganvonstiening/
Palisociety: http://palisociety.com/
For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/324
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.

What does it really take to own a hotel, and how can more people gain access to hotel investing?
In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, Davonne Reaves, founder and CEO of The Vonne Group and Vesterr, shares her journey from working on the front lines of hospitality to becoming a hotel owner, investor, entrepreneur, and advocate for greater access to hotel ownership.
Davonne explains how her grandmother’s hospitality influenced her career, what she learned at Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and how hotel consulting and asset management opened her eyes to the business of hotel ownership. She also shares why she created Vesterr to connect commercial real estate deal sponsors with investors.
David, Steve, and Davonne also explore the growing role of AI in hotel investing—and why some parts of the acquisition process still require a human touch.
Davonne shares candid advice for young entrepreneurs and women entering the industry: stay authentic, keep learning, find mentors, work hard, and never let someone else's “no” stop you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What working in hotel operations taught her about ownership
How to evaluate a hotel investment opportunity
Why the sponsor, location, brand, and operator matter
Where human expertise remains essential in hospitality
Advice for aspiring hotel owners and young entrepreneurs
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v4Ju_rdcVd8

Links:
Davonne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davonnereaves
Vesterr: https://www.vesterr.com/
For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/323
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.