In this special 2025 Year-End Recap, hosts David Millili, Steve Carran, and Jon Bumhoffer reflect on a massive year for The Modern Hotelier, filmed on location at the Lafayette Hotel & Club in San Diego, California.

From nearly doubling episode output and becoming hospitality’s most engaged podcast, to launching Modern Hotelier Media, producing high-impact hotel experience tours, and covering major hospitality events and trade shows across the U.S., this episode breaks down the milestones that defined 2025.

Topics Covered:

• Favorite moments from the year
• Behind-the-scenes stories from major hospitality conferences
• Lessons learned building a media company in hospitality
• What excites them most about 2026, including international expansion

If you’re a hotel owner, operator, hospitality professional, or hotel tech brand, this episode offers insight into where hospitality media is heading—and how storytelling, video, and community engagement are shaping the future of the industry.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j_zOdOB1kFI

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/240

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.

Steve Carran and David Millili join a special holiday roundtable led by Katie Cline (Suite Success), alongside Glenn Hausmann (No Vacancy), Josiah Mackenzie (Hospitality Daily), and Zach Busekrus (Behind the Stays), to unpack the biggest hospitality moments of 2025 and what’s likely coming in 2026.

From the long-awaited Waldorf Astoria New York revival and the acceleration of “ultra-luxury,” to loyalty disruption, trade show fatigue, boutique brands being gobbled up by the majors, and the industry’s messy (but inevitable) race to adopt AI—this conversation is packed with sharp takes, real operator perspective, and plenty of friendly debate.

They wrap with 2026 predictions, including the growing divide between luxury and everyone else, the next evolution of loyalty (beyond points), authentic content backlash against the “AI buffet,” workforce shifts driven by automation, and what’s next for branded short-term rentals and experience-led travel.

In this episode, we cover:

• 2025’s biggest headline: the Waldorf Astoria New York restoration and what it signals for luxury
• Why points can feel more like “bribery” than true loyalty
• AI in hospitality: confusion, hype, and the gap between “buzzwords” vs real results
• How AI should support staff (reduce stress, protect service) rather than replace people
• Travel behaviour shifts: more local trips, road trips, and value-driven getaways (without giving up travel)

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT3HtYbHDNY

Links:
Katie Cline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiecline13/

Host of Suite Success: https://www.suitesuccesspodcast.com/

Josiah Mackenzie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/

Host, Hospitality Daily: https://podcast.hospitalitydaily.com/p/start-here/

Glenn Hausmann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennhaussman/

Host, No Vacancy: https://novacancynews.com/

Zach Busekrus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharybusekrus/

Host, Behind the Stays: https://www.journey.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/239

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 for a boutique hotel to stand out in the crowded world of social media?

In this episode, host David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dino Jevric, Social Media Marketing Manager at Arlo Hotels, to explore how hotels can thrive in today’s digital world.

From Dino’s early days in social media to running creative campaigns for Arlo Hotels, we dive deep into strategies that connect travelers with authentic experiences. Discover how Arlo leverages culture, personality, and behind-the-scenes content to redefine boutique hotel marketing—and why authenticity is more important than ever in social media.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Arlo Hotels builds engaging campaigns without relying solely on promotions
• The balance between polished visuals and authentic, “run-and-gun” content
• Tips for hotels struggling with social media: leaning into culture and personality
• How Arlo’s social media creates connection before guests even step on property

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FvaCNK7_vYc

Links:
Dino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dino-jevric/
Arlo Hotels: https://arlohotels.com/
Arlo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arlohotels/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/238

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.