Charlestowne Hotels: Cutting Through AI Hype with Smart, Practical Strategy

📍 Recorded studio-style, Glenn Haussman and producer Suzanne welcome Shamim Ehsani, co-founder of Tribe Hotel in Nairobi to #NoVacancyNews, who’s challenging the clichés of African #hospitality and revealing a bold, design-led approach to travel experiences in Kenya. 🌍 Here’s what you’ll hear: •    🏨 How Tribe Hotel helped lead the transformation of Nairobi’s hotel scene from colonial formality to contemporary cultural expression •    🎨 The Ehsani family’s dedication to art, architecture, and experience-driven design, including a 900+ piece in-house art collection •    🦁 A look at exclusive offerings like night safaris, running with former world-record marathoners, and showcasing Kenya beyond the expected •    🍽️ Why they shifted the hotel’s food program to be authentically African — after testing over 170 dishes for the new menu at Jiko restaurant •    🤯 A global pet-peeve list turned design blueprint: Shamim’s hilarious and relatable frustrations with things like long check-ins, weak Wi-Fi, minibar gouging, and windows that don’t open 💬 “We didn’t want another hotel that mimicked outdated ideas. We wanted to build something that feels like Nairobi — modern, stylish, and true to who we are.” – Shamim Ehsani 🙌 Special thanks to Actabl — Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit Actabl.com to learn more.  

We’re back in our pre-recorded format! In this episode of hashtag#NoVacancy, I’m joined by Seth Bolt and Tori Bolt, founders of Bolt Farm Treehouse, who’ve created one of the most compelling hashtag#hospitality concepts in the country—where hashtag#guestexperience, design, and mission-driven leadership all come together in a powerful way. Doctor Prodcuer Suzanne cohosts. Special thanks to our advertiser: Actabl – Gives You the Power to Profit. Visit them at Actabl.com 🎧 What you’ll learn from this conversation: • How a handcrafted honeymoon retreat turned into a growing, high-performance resort business • Their 100% direct booking model—achieving 94% occupancy and a 25–30% rebooking rate before checkout • The strategy behind building an Instagram community of over 630,000 followers • Why storytelling and transparency have helped shape a brand with loyal fans • Their unique hiring philosophy, resulting in 11,000+ applications and a top-tier team • How they deliver immersive, guest-first experiences without relying on traditional hotel structures • The role AI will play in enhancing hospitality while keeping the human touch front and center • Their commitment to intentional growth without sacrificing what makes their concept special This episode offers valuable insight into how bold vision, operational focus, and creativity can lead to something truly distinct in today’s hospitality landscape.

At #NoVacancyNews we caught up with Amit Aghara, CTO of Fintech, to get a closer look at how they’re transforming invoice management for hoteliers — and it’s not just about #alcohol anymore. We broke down how Fintech streamlines the complex world of payments, regulations, and vendor management — all via automation and smart tech. 👀 Here's what you'll learn: * How Fintech built a two-sided network with over 8,000 alcohol distributors—and now hundreds of non-alcohol vendors too * Ways their system de-risks your accounts payable and prevents costly compliance mistakes * Why Fintech’s back-office integrations can help you better manage inventory and pricing * Insights into beverage program management for multi-property hotel owners * How their modernized tech stack enhances security and lets you try before you buy * Why actionable analytics (like expected cost analysis) can save you serious money If you’ve ever dealt with invoicing headaches from vendors like Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, or US Foods, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen in and find out how to stop chasing down paperwork—and start spending more time focusing on your guests.

During Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) HITEC, hashtag#NoVacancyNews caught up with Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel and Resort Collection, to discuss how she evaluates hospitality technology for a diverse portfolio of independent hotels. With so many vendors vying for attention, she shared how Curator narrows the field and finds real value for its member hotels. Here’s what we covered: How Curator uses events like hashtag#HITEC to strengthen vendor relationships and discover meaningful innovations The role of pilot programs in validating tech before wider adoption Why it's critical to focus on tools that support team efficiency and guest experience The growing pressure on profitability in a year of minimal revenue growth Curator’s commitment to helping members stay ahead without getting overwhelmed If you're feeling the pressure to make smart hashtag#hospitalitytech decisions, Jen offers a sharp, practical perspective that’s well worth your time. Special thanks to our sponsor Uniguest — their Hotel Hub solution connects every step of the guest journey to your messaging and brand. Learn more at uniguest.com.

David Donnelly's philosophy is that success is built on strong, mutually beneficial relationships. That attitude's going to get him into trouble while hanging with Glenn, Craig and Producer Dave. Tune in and find out

Yesterday at Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) hashtag#HITEC2025, I spoke with Ben Jamieson of Sonesta International Hotels about how the company is approaching hashtag#hoteltechnology and operations to support one of the fastest growth stories in hospitality. With more than 1,200 hotels and a portfolio that spans from economy to upscale, Sonesta is focused on building systems that work across all brands while keeping the guest experience front and center. This episode of hashtag#NoVacancyNews looks at how they’re doing it. Key points from our conversation: 🔹 What it takes to align technology and operations during rapid expansion 🔹 Building consistency while respecting the differences between brands 🔹 Choosing between in-house solutions and third-party tech providers 🔹 Enhancing revenue and service through mobile tools and POS upgrades 🔹 Taking a disciplined approach to AI with a steering committee and real-world testing 🔹Why learning quickly from failure is central to their innovation strategy Thanks to our sponsor Uniguest. Their Hotel Hub solution connects every step of the guest journey to your campaign messaging and brand. Learn more at uniguest.com.

This week at Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) HITEC, hashtag#NoVacancyNews sat down with Max Spangler, VP of Technology at Charlestowne Hotels, to discuss how their team is making clear-eyed tech decisions in a time when everything seems to be labeled “AI” - whether it is or isn't! Here’s what you’ll learn: *Why “AI-washing” is making it harder—not easier—to evaluate hotel tech *How Charlestowne’s steering groups across departments help vet, test, and implement tools that actually work *The impact of AI tools like Cursor and Windsurfer for lean teams managing boutique properties *How they’re now creating slide decks, video, and image content faster than ever—without sacrificing quality *What tech vendors should be doing to explain why they’re using AI (instead of just saying they are) If you care about hotel technology that actually helps your team—not just sells buzzwords—this is a great one to watch. hashtag#NoVacancyNews is here at hashtag#HITEC2025 bringing you the real conversations that matter in hospitality. And yes, hashtag#HotelTechnology that works does exist—you just have to know what to look for. Big thanks to our sponsor Unifocus – technology that drives value. Learn more at unifocus.com

While in Indianapolis, hashtag#NoVacancyNews caught up with Michael Hirschler of Staypineapple Hotels Inc. during an event with Cendyn to talk about how the company rebuilt their hashtag#hoteltech stack from the ground up—and why taking risks on emerging platforms was the right call. In this short and insightful interview, you'll hear: 💡 How Staypineapple designed a fully cloud-based system to simplify ownership and operations 💡 Why connectivity between PMS, CRM, and other platforms is non-negotiable 💡 What it takes to break free from legacy tech and future-proof a hotel brand 💡 The importance of making bold decisions to keep the guest at the center of the experience 💡 How the industry’s past leaders can become stuck—and what to do differently

Recorded live at HITEC 2025, #novacancynews caught up with Jenna Fishel, Chief Commercial Officer at First Hospitality, to explore how her team is taking #AI from theory to action—and evolving how commercial teams collaborate. This isn't about chasing tech trends. It’s about building smarter systems that make life easier and business better. Here’s what we covered: How #hoteltechnology is being used to analyze commercial calls and suggest strategy improvements The shift from siloed meetings to a fully integrated commercial strategy that include marketing, sales, revenue, and ops Why First Hospitality built a dedicated marketing team—and what happens when you stop forcing salespeople to moonlight as marketers The power of collaboration in a world where RevPAR growth is harder to come by Ways AI is helping reduce repetitive tasks so teams can focus on meaningful work 🎯 Special thanks to our sponsor: Unifocus, technology that drives value. Visit unifocus.com  

Recorded last month at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, hashtag#NoVacancyNews got an amazing backstage experience with the legendary Cami Christensen, President & GM of the property. Cami started at the front desk and now runs this iconic resort — and we had a lot of laughs and hashtag#Elvis sightings along the way. 📍If you love old-school hashtag#LasVegas nostalgia blended with modern hospitality, this one’s for you. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/e8k9kPBR What you'll experience in this episode: 🎰 How Cami went from check-ins to calling the shots at the about 3,000-room resort 🎤 The story behind recreating Elvis Presley’s legendary 1969 comeback show –coming this summer! 🕺 Hidden Elvis memorabilia—including a lock of his hair, his dressing room, and his water fountain (yes, really) 🍸 A tour of Westgate’s revived venues like Velvet Bar and EBar with nightly live music 🏈 Inside the world’s largest sportsbook and why it’s not becoming a nightclub 🏰 A walkthrough of their jaw-dropping rooftop 12,000 sq. ft. Versailles Suite (with a private pool!) 🚝 Why Westgate is the most connected resort in Vegas with direct monorail and Vegas Loop access ⚡️This isn’t just a history lesson, it’s a look at how a legacy property keeps reinventing itself while staying true to its soul. 👑 You’re going to want to watch this one before the King leaves the building again.