Reality Check: Sales, Strategy & Standing Out in Branded Hotels

The Biggest Threat to Hospitality Right Now (It’s Not AI)

Hospitality is under pressure like never before. Rising costs. Shrinking margins. Increasing uncertainty. And at the same time, a wave of AI and technological change reshaping how the industry operates. In this episode, Adam is joined by Robert Richardson, Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality, to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes — and what it means for the future of hospitality. Together, they explore: * The growing gap between operating costs and what guests are willing to pay * Why hospitality is still misunderstood (and undervalued) by government * The case for recognising hospitality as a true profession * How leaders can navigate uncertainty and build resilient teams * Where AI fits in — and where it absolutely doesn’t * Why human connection will remain at the heart of great hospitality Despite the challenges, one thing is clear: Hospitality isn’t going anywhere. It remains one of the most important industries in society — shaping the moments that matter in people’s lives. Want to understand how your hotel is showing up in AI search? 👉 Get your visibility score at scoreplan.ai

Reality Check: Sales, Strategy & Standing Out in Branded Hotels

In this episode of The Hotel Growth Podcast, Adam Hamadache is joined by Wendy White, Director of Sales & Marketing at Kew Green Hotels, to unpack the real-world pressures facing branded hotels in today’s market. Wendy shares her journey from glass collector to group sales leader and gives a candid take on what it really takes to grow in 2025 – including how to compete with luxury experiences, cut through digital noise, and stay visible in a crowded OTA-dominated space. We cover: * Why CRM is the most powerful tool in a modern marketer’s kit * The real challenge of staying competitive in secondary locations * Her views on event clustering and the feast-or-famine effect * Why data, personalisation and segmentation are the keys to conversion * How hotels should approach tech, marketing budgets and brand platforms If you’re running a branded hotel—or managing one—you’ll get plenty of practical insights from this conversation. 📍 One key takeaway: “New business, new business, new business. Without it, there’s no business.”

Luxury with Purpose: Eugene Leonard on Leading Hotel Café Royal

In this episode of The Hotel Growth Podcast, Adam sits down with Eugene Leonard, General Manager at the iconic Hotel Café Royal, to explore the future of luxury hospitality—and the operational reality behind delivering it in 2025. Eugene shares his journey from dishwashing to directing global openings, and offers rare insight into how a legendary brand stays relevant in an ever-evolving market. He opens up about the tough Q1 many London hotels faced, the resurgence of experiential travel, and how digital integration is reshaping the guest journey. You’ll hear: * Why ease is the new luxury—and how Café Royal uses tech to create it * The real impact of VAT, Brexit, and government policy on high-end hospitality * What “Feel Good Fridays” have done for his team culture * How travel trends are shifting from destinations to events and experiences * The missed opportunity in fragmented hotel tech stacks—and the big idea no one’s built yet With humility and clarity, Eugene delivers a masterclass in modern leadership, service excellence, and how luxury can still surprise.

Cut Through the Noise: Ryan Haynes on Smarter Hotel Tech Buying

In this episode of The Hotel Growth Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Haynes—host of Travel Market Life and a leading voice in hotel tech strategy—to talk about why so many hotels get their technology decisions wrong… and what to do about it. Ryan doesn’t sugarcoat it. From the madness of managing 20+ contracts to the cost of integrations that don’t actually integrate, he shares what’s really going on under the hood—and how hoteliers can avoid the traps. We cover: → Why most RFPs are like writing to Santa → What to actually ask tech vendors before signing anything → How peer-to-peer conversations beat demos every time → And why messaging tech is the next big growth lever for hotels If you’re thinking about changing your PMS, CRM, or any other bit of your stack—listen to this first.

Coach First, Owner Second: Tudor Hopkins on Leading Hotels Differently

In this episode of The Hotel Growth Podcast, Adam Hamadache sits down with hospitality veteran Tudor Hopkins—owner of Sleeping Bear Hotels and founder of The Hospitality Coach. Tudor shares the story of how he turned a struggling 3-star hotel in Dorchester into a lean, 30% profit machine—without breakfast, without a restaurant, and without cutting corners on guest experience. But this conversation goes beyond operations. We dive into: * Why hotel leadership needs to shift from command to coaching * How small, independent hotels can build high-performance teams without big budgets * The power of listening, trust and letting go (even when the marquee heater breaks on a wedding day) From his wild early days in cocktail bars to building a hospitality franchise model designed for today’s economics, Tudor brings honest, practical insight you won’t hear anywhere else. If you care about growing a profitable hotel and developing a stronger team, this episode is a must-listen.