The man disrupting business stays

Want guests to remember your hotel for all the right reasons? Start with what they breathe, how they leave and the story you tell along the way. Guests are breathing easy (literally) thanks to hotels cashing in on clean-air certification. Meanwhile, one GM proved that the final 10 minutes of a guest’s stay can turn “pretty good” into “perfection” (it starts with a simple question). And in Georgia, Francis Ford Coppola is directing a whole new scene in hospitality with a film studio–meets–boutique hotel concept that’s pure creative gold. ✨Inspiration incoming!✨

Wild thing. Noble House Hotels & Resorts is set to launch The Sylvan Lodge this month in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The 38-room retreat within the exclusive Snake River Sporting Club redefines what it means to deliver high-touch hospitality in a rugged-chic setting.

Rare air. Now booking: rooms that actually smell like nothing. FreshAir’s new certification empowers hotels to turn clean air into a premium perk (and profit for you).

Group travel glow-up. These new Backroads adventures are for millennials who want trails by day and turndown service by night. It’s like summer camp grew up and discovered wine pairings.

All the feels. Curious why some boutique hotels manage to feel deeply personal while others fall flat? Casetta Hotels co-founder Carolyn Schneider has a few thoughts.

Ready for takeoff. Chic meets eco-conscious with sustainable suitcases that don't compromise on style. From recycled materials to sleek designs, these bags prove that in travel gear, going green is the new black.

‘Our sales team speaks directly to decision makers and implements what they need firsthand’

Kyle Manning is the National Director of Business Travel Sales at Staypineapple, where bold design, cheeky charm and über-comfy beds are redefining business travel. With fun, funky properties in cities like Seattle, San Diego and Chicago, Staypineapple ditches the bland for something way more memorable. Manning's goal? To deliver all the perks business travelers need—while making every stay feel less corporate and a whole lot more fun. -Jennifer Glatt

How can indie hotels scale sales while staying authentic?
Independent boutique hotels have a unique opportunity to develop true relationships with their clients and learn what is most important to their travel needs. It’s a one-on-one partnership where we can uncover and learn from each company what matters most to them and to their travelers. Large, big-box hotels are burdened with too many layers of salespeople. A client’s needs get diluted as it’s passed from one salesperson to another to another. It’s like a game of “telephone,” where the first message is always misunderstood by the last person that hears it. With Staypineapple, our sales team speaks directly to decision makers and implements what they need firsthand. There is no opportunity for anything to be lost in translation.

What’s your pitch for landing group bookings that want something different?
We are a breath of fresh air in a sea of monotonous brands. We have the ability to ask a client directly: What’s most important to you? If you had a magic wand, what would this meeting look like? Every group, every client, every guest is so different and unique. The only “secret sauce” is finding out specifically what makes a client happy, then overdelivering and knocking their socks off each and every time.

What sales tactics help boutiques stand out from big chains?
We pride ourselves as being disruptors to the big chains. Traditional big box hotels will always be considered by corporate guests. To be honest, I’m glad that they are—it lets us stand out and it lets us shine. Does a company’s traveler really want to stay at the same old hotel year in and year out? Do they want the exact same hotel in one city as they do in another city? Doesn’t the savvy hotel guest want something new? A unique, breathtaking hotel in the heart of the city, where they can actually enjoy their stay and not just count down the minutes until they check out? The majority of our partners include a diverse set of hotels in their travel portfolio. Keep the big box brands for the conservative travelers, and add our upscale boutique hotels for the well-traveled, discerning, adventurous guest. When was the last time that you called a big chain to ask something about your hotel bill? Could you get through? How many automated messages did you listen to before being told to call someone else? We talk one-on-one with every corporate client, whether it’s the decision maker signing a contract or the new hire who is staying at our hotel for the first time.

What’s your best strategy for turning first-time guests into loyal ones?
Personalization. Gone are the days of a hotel guest being impressed by a reservations system seeing that you like Diet Coke in your room or that you want a room away from the elevator. Guests want and expect to be WOW-ed: 'When you checked in a year ago, you had a Seattle Storm hat on, they’re in town tonight, so we got you tickets and have scheduled an Uber to arrive 30 minutes before the first pitch.' That’s the level of personalization that a guest seeking something different and great. That is what we deliver time and time again at Staypineapple.

Shake it up

Hotel Bardo is mixing things up with cocktail classes that turn guests into master mixologists—no bartending experience required. Sip, shake and savor Savannah’s local flavors in a way that’s way more fun than just ordering a drink.

Why it matters: Interactive experiences like this swap standard lodging for epic escapes. Adding local flair with hands-on fun keeps guests buzzing long after checkout. (Savannah Morning News)

Hospitality meets Hollywood

Francis Ford Coppola is flipping the script on hotel stays with the All-Movie Hotel in Peachtree City, Ga.—a cinematic escape where guests can sleep, screen and script all in one place (he lived and worked here for two years before the 2024 release of Megalopolis).

Why it matters: The property offers a bold blueprint for niche, experience-driven hospitality. By integrating luxury accommodations with professional-grade film production facilities, Coppola has created a unique destination that caters to both creatives and cinephiles. This genius mix of movie magic and boutique vibes shows how hotels can win loyal fans by serving up one-of-a-kind experiences that make them impossible to forget. (Hollywood Reporter)

Above: All-Movie Hotel’s Francis Ford Coppola Suite. (Aaron Colussi)

Urban markets lead the way

CBRE's latest forecast predicts a modest 1.3% RevPAR growth for U.S. hotels in 2025—down from the 2% growth anticipated earlier this year—with urban markets leading the way amid economic headwinds. Hoteliers should prepare for tighter margins and capitalize on localized demand trends. 

Why it matters: The tempered 2025 outlook underscores the importance of strategic positioning in urban and drive-to leisure markets, where demand is expected to be strongest. With supply growth constrained by high construction and financing costs, existing properties may benefit from reduced competition. (Hotel Business)

Nail the farewell, win the review

Are your guests suffering from a lackluster final impression? A simple but powerful "last 10 minutes" protocol can turn a four-star experience into a five-star memory.

Why it matters: Checkout is not just an operational formality—it’s your final branding opportunity. By proactively managing departures and asking one thoughtful question as guests exit, you can resolve lingering issues before they turn into public complaints. (Beyond the Lobby) 

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