Hospitality Design: What I've Learned

Growing up in a small town outside Providence, Rhode Island, Dr. Jonathan Leary always had big dreams. At a young age, he had plotted to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in medicine, despite never having visited the city. Those dreams evolved as he explored ways of helping people on a deeper level—not just improving their physical health but enhancing their lifestyle.After completing his undergraduate studies in kinesiology at the University of Rhode Island and obtaining a doctorate in chiropractic medicine from Southern California University, Leary had a traditional path to becoming a medical doctor in mind. But his perspective shifted as he spent time in hospitals. Instead of the fulfillment he imagined, he found chaotic and stressful environments that didn't align with his vision of care. Struggling with the rigidity of these systems, he realized the traditional medical model wasn't for him.That's when the idea for Remedy Place began to take shape. Through his studies and an introduction to alternative medicine, Leary was inspired by the power of holistic care. He saw potential for meaningful change by merging proven wellness practices with a hospitality-driven, healing environment.The idea was bold. And today, with four locations in West Hollywood, New York, and Boston, Remedy Place is rooted in the belief that social connection is essential to health, transforming the concept of self-care and setting a new standard for wellness.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Caroline and Sabri Farouki, partners behind New Orleans-based studio Farouki Farouki, bring a personal and global perspective to their practice. Caroline grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana in a home designed by Louisiana architect A. Hays Town, known for pioneering reusing materials. Surrounded by antiques and architectural details, her passion for design started early. She studied architecture in college, but shifted to environmental studies with a minor in architecture before earning her master's in fine arts in interior design from the Savannah College of Art and Design.Sabri, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, spent his formative years in Egypt, attending an American international school in Cairo. His exposure to varied cultural environments shaped his worldview of what design could be. After completing his undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, where he met Caroline, he went on to earn his master's of architecture from Columbia University in New York.The pair launched Farouki Farouki in 2015 after working at acclaimed firms like AvroKO, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Bjarke Ingels Group. Today, their firm balances architecture and interiors across a range of hospitality projects, including the recently opened Hotel Henrietta in New Orleans and the Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Suchi Reddy's creative journey began in Chennai, India, where she grew up in a vibrant home curated by her mother—think scenic wallpaper, terrazzo floors embedded with marble fragments, and a rich mix of textures. Surrounded by gardens and books, Reddy developed an early sensitivity to how environments shape our sense of self. That awareness grew into a passion for architecture, which she pursued both in India and the U.S.In 2002, she founded her New York–based multidisciplinary studio, Reddymade. From Humanscale's sustainably minded Chicago showroom to immersive installations for the Smithsonian, her work reflects her guiding principle: form follows feeling. Rooted in the science of neuroaesthetics—the intersection of neuroscience and design—Reddy's approach centers on creating spaces that resonate emotionally. Whether through retail, residential, or institutional projects, her mission remains the same: to make people feel seen, included, and inspired.This episode is brought to you by American Leather. For more information, go to americanleather.com.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Born in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, Jacu Strauss' early years were marked by his imagination—crafting dollhouses from wine boxes and drawing urban streetscapes in the dirt. With limited access to TV or the internet, he turned to encyclopedias and magazines to fuel an inner world that laid the foundation for his future.At 18, he left for London on what was meant to be a brief gap year. It quickly turned into a journey through banking, architecture studies in New Zealand, and ultimately, back to the UK. His career took a turn when he joined Tom Dixon, where he helped dream up the transformative Sea Containers hotel.That philosophy continues to anchor his work as creative director at Lore Group, where he oversees a diverse portfolio of hotels. From the charming Pulitzer Amsterdam to the intimate sophistication of the Lyle in Washington, DC, Strauss designs with both whimsy and purpose—always seeking to humanize spaces through material, form, and story.This podcast is sponsored by StyleNations. For more information, go to stylenations.com.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

As founder of his eponymous New York firm, visionary architect Morris Adjmi's work is deeply rooted in a respect for heritage while embracing innovation. With a career shaped by early experiences working alongside Pritzker Prize-winning architect Aldo Rossi, Adjmi developed a distinct approach that balances modern aesthetics anchored in a deep understanding of architectural and cultural history. His projects, spanning adaptive reuse to new construction, reflect a meticulous attention to detail. Take the recently opened Forth Atlanta, which is revitalizing the Georgia city's Old Fourth Ward with Adjmi's signature refined yet curated style. Adjmi's forthcoming projects—including the renovation of the Swan Hotel at Disney World in Orlando, Florida and the Four Seasons Hotel Charleston in South Carolina—maintain a dialogue between past and future to honor each city's identity while reimagining its possibilities.This episode is brought to you by American Leather. For more information, go to americanleather.com.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

From her childhood in Larchmont, New York to leading a renowned wellness company, Cathy O'Brien's wide-ranging career spans the music industry as well as the beauty and wellness sectors, where she helped rethink brand strategies at luxury companies like Jo Malone.Driven by her vision for holistic wellness and inspired by her own health challenges, O'Brien came to Naturopathica in 2022 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people approach self-care. Recognizing the powerful connection between nature, science, and wellbeing, she sought to create products and experiences that were both effective and innovative. Under her leadership, the company has become a pioneer in natural health, offering therapeutic solutions that emphasize balance, sustainability, and the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Through Naturopathica, O'Brien continues to redefine what it means to live a truly healthy and harmonious life.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

When Jason Brown and Brad Guidi joined forces to create hospitality real estate private equity firm Blue Flag Capital, they weren't just building hotels—they were crafting experiences rooted in storytelling, design, and a sense of place.Their journey began with a bold vision on Nantucket and has since expanded to destinations from Martha's Vineyard to Jackson Hole.With a philosophy of hospitality as theater, Blue Flag Capital, with Brown and Guidi at the helm, continues to redefine hospitality, one immersive stay at a time.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Growing up  in Brooklyn, lifelong friends Matthew Sears and Darius Davie started their entrepreneurial journey thanks to a shared passion for design, grooming, and community. Enter Groom Guy, their take on a luxury salon concept that blends wellness with hospitality.Davie, a former hairstylist, envisioned Groom Guy as a resource hub for men's self care, while Sears—who has a background in finance—helped shape that vision into a thriving business.In 2020, the duo launched the inaugural Groom Guy inside Yours Truly DC, with locations in the PGA National Resort in Florida and Salamander DC to follow. Designed as a self-care sanctuary, the intimate barbershop prioritizes thoughtful design, sensory details, and an elevated approach to grooming, elevating the barbershop into an essential hospitality experience.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

A driving force behind the evolution of Las Vegas dining scene and beyond, Elizabeth Blau began her F&B journey under the legendary Sirio Maccioni at Le Cirque in New York. That foundation propelled her to Las Vegas in the late ‘90s, where she played a crucial role in transforming the city into a culinary powerhouse.Today, as founder and CEO of Blau Associates, she continues to shape the future of hospitality alongside her husband, chef Kim Canteenwalla, blending her passion for design with culinary excellence.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Icelandic hotelier Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir has built a reputation for her innovative approach to creating immersive guest experiences.Growing up in a small town near Reykjavik, she developed a deep connection to Iceland's rugged natural beauty, a bond that would later shape her career.After nearly two decades with Icelandic Airline, Sigurlaug returned to Iceland in 2013, where she transformed a former geothermal power plant staff building into the ION Adventure Hotel—a boutique property that  blends with the surrounding volcanic landscape.Her collection of properties, including a second hotel in Reykjavik, embodies her dedication to connecting guests with Iceland's vibrant culture and authentic spirit.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

From working in a butcher shop as a child to immersing himself in the world of art and architecture, Vincent Celano's upbringing in Brooklyn, New York instilled in him a love of storytelling and a deep appreciation for the power of design.After graduating from Pratt Institute, he cut his teeth at design giants like Rockwell Group, Jeffrey Beers International, and ICRAVE, where he honed his craft in experiential and hospitality design.In 2005, he founded Celano Design Studio, a multidisciplinary firm dedicated to creating dynamic, guest-centered environments. Today, the studio has expanded to include furniture and industrial design, reflecting Celano's unwavering commitment to human-centered experiences.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Matt Goodrich, principal of his New York-based design studio Goodrich, has cultivated an approach that is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and pursuing the unexpected. With a career that spans more than two decades, including stints at Rockwell Group and AvroKO, Goodrich's perspective champions the art of storytelling.Since founding his eponymous firm in 2017, Goodrich, who was recently named Boutique Design's 2024 Designer of the Year, has leaned into projects that push boundaries, taking on challenges that stretch the team's capabilities, from Ci Siamo, his collaboration with restaurateur Danny Meyer to the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The latter, home to the New York Islanders hockey team, challenged the studio, which had little prior experience in either live entertainment or sports venues, to create a unique, hospitality-driven project. It became a defining moment for the firm, reinforcing Goodrich's ethos: learning by doing and embracing the unfamiliar to create something extraordinary.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Revisit our conversation with prolific designer Tara Bernerd, founder of  her eponymous London-based firm Tara Bernerd & Partners. Back in 2020, as the world was facing an unprecedented pandemic, Tara shared how her team was navigating Covid, as well as detailed her work on projects including the Hari Hong Kong. This year, Tara was guest editor of our November 2024 issue, where she and her team highlighted the New Dolce Vita, a celebration of all things Milan, from its people, places, and projects. Read the issue here.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Having lived across continents—from Hong Kong to Houston and Singapore to Pakistan—Aliya Khan's upbringing instilled a appreciation for culture, architecture, and art.After studying architecture at Pratt Institute in New York, Khan began her career in residential design before transitioning to the hospitality industry, working for Starwood Hotels & Resorts (now Marriott), helping launch brands like W Hotels, Aloft, and Le Méridien.Today, as vice president of global design strategies for Marriott International's lifestyle brands, Khan has redefined the design language for Aloft, Moxy, AC Hotels, and Westin.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tom Ito, a third-generation Japanese-American, was destined to be in the hospitality industry. He worked at his grandparents' restaurant when he was young, and he was also inspired by his parents—his father was a bartender-turned-restaurant GM and his mother worked as a hostess. He joined Gensler nearly 40 years ago, launching the firm's hospitality practice in the late 1990s with the renovation of the Beverly Hills Hotel. He has since expanded the practice to an international scale, with projects including Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Resort & Residences in Guanacaste, Costa Rica; the Six Senses Grand Bahama; and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens in Greece. Now, as the firmwide leader of the hospitality practice and principal in Gensler's Los Angeles office, Ito is also integral to the firm's climate change initiative, which aims to make all Gensler projects carbon neutral by 2030.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Born in Chicago and raised in Arizona, Sam Fox's early experiences working in his parents' diners, Mexican restaurants, and delis shaped his understanding of the industry. He dropped out of the University of Arizona, where he was studying real estate finance, to pursue his passion, using his tuition money to open his first restaurant—all before he turned 21. Now, with a vast portfolio of successful eateries, Fox has taken on a new challenge with the opening of the Global Ambassador, a luxury hotel in Phoenix that is centered around five of his newly created restaurants. Here, he shares how his past paved the way for a career as one of the country's most prolific restaurateurs. Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Raised for much of his childhood in Connecticut before moving to New York as a teenager, John Meadow developed a love for hospitality at a young age. He got his start as a dishwasher and sandwich maker at Au Bon Pain before attending Cornell's hotel school. By 24, he opened his first restaurant, and in 2008, launched Scarpetta, which won accolades for its refined yet unpretentious take on Italian dining. As president and founder of LDV Hospitality, Meadow has built an empire that spans multiple countries and cities. His portfolio now includes the forthcoming Barlume, slated to open next month in New York, and his first foray into hotels with LDV at the Maidstone, which opened this summer in the Hamptons.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Settling in Seattle as a Vietnamese refugee, My Nguyen began her 22-year design career as an intern for Holland America Line followed by nearly nine years at NB Design Group. Now, Nguyen leads the interior design and interior asset management teams for Holland America Line and Seabourn fleets.Through her commitment to sustainability, Nguyen has pushed boundaries in the cruise industry, transforming design processes to focus on environmental responsibility. Whether leading a design team or tackling the post-pandemic travel surge, Nguyen's ability to balance creativity with practicality makes her a force in cruise ship design today.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Juan Bremer has a deep connection to nature that has shaped his journey into the world of luxury hospitality. Growing up as the son of an ambassador, Bremer's early years were a whirlwind of cultures, spanning Moscow, Germany, and Mexico. (Today, he splits his time between Mexico and Italy.) This multicultural upbringing instilled in him an appreciation for diverse environments and languages, a foundation that continues to influence his philosophy around development.Bremer's creative spirit was evident from a young age, leading friends on adventures and conjuring up games. This innate creativity, combined with a love for the outdoors, has become the cornerstone of his work. His entry into hospitality was born from a desire to preserve the untouched beauty of Mexico's virgin beaches, and his first major project, the One&Only Mandarina via his RLH Properties company, set the stage for Xala, a 3,000-acre luxury development in the Costalegre region of Jalisco, Mexico. Found on the Pacific coastline, it will be home to residences and a Six Senses resort, slated to open in 2026.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Born in Florence and raised between Switzerland and Northern California, David Montalba, founder of Montalba Architects, was exposed to many different cultures growing up, which is evident in his work today from the rustic yet refined Whitepod eco-chalets in Monthey Switzerland to the bespoke Nobu Palo Alto in California.Today—with offices in Santa Monica, California; New York; and Lausanne, Switzerland—his multidisciplinary firm is celebrated for their thoughtful balance between modernity and timelessness, all while maintaining an approach that is as much about the people who inhabit the space as the space itself.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Eric Papachristos, who lived in Greece before returning to the U.S. at age 10, spent his life in restaurants, working at his father's diner as a dishwasher. It made sense, then, that his path would lead him back to hospitality after earning a degree in finance.With a keen eye for collaboration, Papachristos joined forces with celebrated chef Jody Adams to open Greek restaurant Trade Boston in 2011. Thirteen years later, he has grown his empire to count 10 restaurants under his A Street Hospitality Group banner.His latest venture, the AvroKO-designed La Padrona, is a culinary gem nestled within the luxurious Raffles Hotel in downtown Boston. As Papachristos looks to the future, his ambitions extend beyond the dining scene, with plans to develop a residential community in Boston—a pivot inspired from the challenges of the Covid era.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

After a 13-year stint at Chicago firm 555 International, Karen Herold, who grew up in Holland, went out on her own, founding Studio K Creative in 2014. A decade since she launched her firm, Herold has made a name for herself with a portfolio that includes restaurants for BOKA Restaurant Group like chef Stephanie Izard's Girl and the Goat in Chicago and Los Angeles and BIÂN wellness cub in Chicago. Next up is a heli-ski project that marries Herold's luxury background with the great outdoors. Here, she she talks about her time as a fashion student, what she learned from her mentor James Geier of 555 International, and building projects with people she admires.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

The industry lost an icon when architect and designer Jeffrey Beers passed away earlier this year at age 67 after a battle with cancer. But Jeffrey Beers International (JBI), the New York practice Beers founded in 1986, will uphold his visionary legacy and continue to shape the hospitality design sphere under the guidance of newly appointed partners Michael Pandolfi, Nora Liu-Kanter, and Tim Rooney.At the time Pandolfi joined the firm in 2000, JBI resembled a carefree artists' studio more than an office. Beers took over a closet, turning the open space under a massive skylight in the main room over to his small team. Las Vegas was fast transforming into a high-end food and drink destination then and JBI was smack in the middle of that energetic shift, bringing to life venues like Tabu—the MGM Grand ultra-lounge flaunting tables with holographic images projected onto them—and Rumjungle at Mandalay Bay, a fantastical tropical restaurant and nightclub fusing fire and bongo drums. “Those were things that Jeff loved—crazy ideas that not everybody would propose to a client,” recalls Pandolfi, noting how Beers regularly encouraged his staff to share such wild notions in an office he treated as an open forum. “Nobody had titles. Everybody was equal. If you had a great idea, everybody would listen to it and it could be executed.”Here, the three partners share how they plan to continue their late founder's legacy.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Growing up in Kent in southeast London, Mark Eacott was always a curious kid—inspired by his artist grandfather, who taught him how to sketch and draw, and his dad, who was a builder with a strong do-it-yourself skillset. Those influences, coupled with Eacott's creative mind, fostered his passion for design. He majored in architecture at the University of Bath, where he studied abroad as part of the Erasmus exchange program at TU Delft, a specialized architecture school in Holland. That was a life-changing experience for Eacott, ultimately leading to an internship at OMA in Rotterdam where he worked alongside Rem Koolhaas. (Eacott went on to earn his master's degree from the Royal College of Art in London.)His career took off from there, and he added a list of hospitality giants to his résumé including Soho House, Yoo, HBA, and SBE, before landing at Ennismore (the latter two companies were both acquired by Accor), where he's been the global vice president of design since 2019. Eacott's philosophy is centered around service and experience. He's unafraid to retool brands that need a facelift or to call upon nostalgia for reboots of industry gamechangers, like the refresh of the Delano in Miami. Now based in Dubai, Eacott shares lessons learned along his impressive journey and how a successful brand is rooted in emotion.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

In 1979, as the Iranian Revolution swept through the streets of Tehran, Younes Nazarian and his wife Soraya Sarah made the decision to leave behind a successful construction business and move their family to the U.S., ultimately landing in Los Angeles. His youngest son, Sam, was only 3 years old at the time, but he watched his dad build a new life in America.  Younes' business acumen led him to become an early investor in technology company Qualcomm and eventually chairman of Nazarian Enterprises, which focused on a variety of interests in the private, public, and real estate markets.SBLike his father, Sam, showcased a formidable drive. A smart, athletic kid, he played baseball and basketball in high school and college before attending NYU's Stern School of Business. By 23, Sam had become the country's largest distributor of Nextel, a wireless digital communications provider. A year later, he ventured into hotel real estate, buying the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. By the time he was 26, Sam had invested in 10 hotels and had even dipped his toes into film production on the side.In 2006, he launched SBE—Sammy Boy Entertainment, a callback to a childhood nickname. After a series of successful nightclub venues, the first SLS hotel in Beverly Hills opened, a testament to his vision of blending F&B and nightlife into a cohesive luxury-meets-lifestyle experience.As the SBE brand grew, so did Nazarian's ambitions. In 2020, he sold the company to Accor, and this January, he announced HQ Projects, a strategic partnership with Wyndham that provides hotel owners with the freedom to craft their own hospitality stories.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

New Jersey native David Barry studied law before getting into real estate development alongside his brother, focusing on redeveloping shipyards and truckyards. When the W brand was being developed in Hoboken, New Jersey, Barry entered the hospitality side of the real estate business. Today, he counts Chiltern Firehouse in London, New York's Chelsea Hotel, and Caldera House in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on his client list.Barry has always been a curious person and interested in exploring new frontiers, which led him to founding Urby in 2012, the hospitality-inspired urban housing concept centered on modern design, high-end amenities, affordable pricing, and programming.Simplicity is key to the success of Urby, which is currently found in six locations with four more on the boards in Philadelphia; Washington, DC; Wynwood, Florida; and Journal Square, New Jersey.As he looks ahead, Barry says his greatest lesson learned is to not get caught up in the noise and chatter of the present moment but to think longterm and plan accordingly.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains in Walland, Tennessee, the 68-room Blackberry Farm is a verdant escape known for its food, wine, and Southern hospitality. The small inn was originally purchased by Samuel E. Beall III, founder of the Ruby Tuesday chain, in 1976. After adding land and more buildings, it blossomed into the exclusive property it is today. In 1998, Samuel's son and Mary Celeste's husband, Sam, took it over, transforming it into a culinary powerhouse and must-visit getaway tucked away in East Tennessee.After the unexpected passing of her husband in 2016, Mary Celeste took over as proprietor while raising her five children. She didn't shy away from the challenge. In fact, she credits the power of believing in herself for ushering the resort into its next and most exciting era yet. Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Known for her sensual, dynamic designs that integrate with their surroundings, the Iceland-born, West Hollywood, California-based Gulla Jónsdóttir creates unique spatial experiences that exist at the intersection of organic beauty and function.Since 2009 when she launched her firm Atelier Gulla Jónsdóttir, she has spearheaded projects including China's Macau Roosevelt hotel and the renovation of Hollywood's Chinese Theater. With the Sandbourne Santa Monica in California and 1 Hotel Crete in Greece on the boards, Jónsdóttir continues to immerse guests in their surroundings with an approach centered on  all five senses.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

A diagnosis of colon cancer led Alejandro Bataller's father Alfredo Bataller to launch the SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain 15 years ago. Today, the family-run business has established itself as of one of the leading wellness resorts in the world. A recently opened outpost in Costa Mujeres, Mexico designed by local firms Sordo Madaleno and Alejandro Escudero (a forthcoming  property set on a 25-acre island on the coastline between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is on the boards) continues the company's goal to transform people's health and wellbeing through innovative, cutting-edge practices wrapped in a hospitality-focused luxury experience. Additionally, the company's real estate development arm, AB Living Group, is working with Marriott to develop branded residences and resort projects in Mexico under the SHA Wellness brand. “For us, this is much more than a business, it's a mission,” says Alejandro.This episode is brought to you by American Leather. For more information, go to americanleather.com.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Mario Tricoci got the entrepreneurial bug at an early age, watching his parents revolutionize the salon world and invent the day spa concept. He saw what they created and wanted to emulate it, but with his own spin. When he opened the Simeone Deary Design Group-crafted Elysian hotel in Chicago in 2009, it changed the hospitality landscape as a refined luxury hotel that put community first and offered approachable service. The project was short-lived (they sold it in 2011), but Tricoci was just getting started, launching Aparium Hotel Group in 2012. Today, the hotel owner and operator counts 11 properties in its portfolio, with four more slated to open this year. Here, the CEO and founder shares how his philosophy of finding the right partner, place, and product has led to Aparium's decade-plus of success.This episode is brought to you by American Leather. For more information, go to americanleather.com.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Studio Collective partners Leslie Kale, Adam Goldstein, and Christian Schulz founded their firm during the Great Recession. Though they started out to make ends meet, they soon found successful with cocktail lounge the Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt before diving into hotels with the Landsby in Sylvan, California. Today, the trio leads a 20-person team, where they've expanded their portfolio with notable projects like the Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles, Proper Hotels' spinoff brand Hotel June on LA's Westside, and recently, Ferraro's Bar & Restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. With more than two decades of experience, the Venice, California-based design firm has learned how to let the client and project dictate where things are headed. “You have to trust that it will still be great,” says Schulz.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York and then Long Island, Julien Albertini, cofounder of Asthetíque, was influenced by his architect father and his mother, who loved redecorating their home. He studied architecture and then finance, designing small projects around the city until he met his business partner, the Moscow-based designer Alina Pimkina. Their vision and goals aligned, and their design firm, with offices in New York, Miami, and recently Riyadh, has showcased that rich intersection of masculine and feminine in projects for the past seven years, from Café Polet in Moscow to to Kahawa Café in Doha. Albertini shares his journey from architecture and finance student to successful entrepreneur.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Childhood friends Asher Warr and Robin Faulkner, cofounders of Amarla Hotels, launched their first property in Cartagena in 2018. The 17th-century mansion, a former tobacco factory, celebrates the community via authentic experiences—a pillar of the newly founded  brand. Next came Amarla Casco Viejo, the eight-room boutique that is reimagining Panama's hospitality scene. The British entrepreneurs are rethinking hospitality by creating hotels centered around what they call a heartfelt hospitality approach—one that transcends the property and immerses visitors into the location.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

From an early age, the Melbourne-bred, New York-based Ross Mollison had a love for music and live entertainment. This nascent passion led him to launch Spiegelworld in 2005, known for its groundbreaking shows that blend cabaret, the circus, and variety performances.Under Mollison's leadership, Spiegelworld has become synonymous with cutting-edge, adult-oriented entertainment that pushes the boundaries of traditional theatrical experiences. Indeed, his creativity and vision have played a key role in shaping Spiegelworld's reputation as a trailblazer in the world of live entertainment, spotlighted in the forthcoming DiscoShow and the development of a circus town in Nipton, California, where Mollison and his team dream up their creative, otherworldly endeavors.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Carlos Martínez Flórez, who left Cuba when he was 3 years old, spent his early years in Puerto Rico, where he developed a passion for reading and storytelling. He struggled in school but was always interested in architecture, which he pursued at the Ohio State University. He cut his teeth with Holabird & Root, the Doblin Group, and Perkins&Will before landing at Gensler in 2001. With more than four decades of industry experience, Martínez Flórez now serves as the co-managing director and design principal at the firm's New York office, where he has become integral in fostering the next generation of design professionals.

Louis Thompson began his hospitality career working with Six Senses. While there, he learned about the importance of sustainability, innovation, and regeneration. In 2011, after 10 years with the wellness-focused brand, Thompson founded Nomadic Resorts. It was a natural next step for the entrepreneur, who was experimenting with crafting eco-friendly resorts in remote locales. Take the Wild Coast Tented Lodge near the Yala National Park in Sri Lanka. Thompson, who designed the building to blend into its natural surroundings, also trained 80 people from a neighboring fishermen's village to help with the construction. Today, Thompson is again pushing the envelope as he introduces salutogenic architecture to a new audience, where he hopes to influence mental wellbeing through design. Here, he shares his vision for the future of hospitality, including the development of niche experiences that cultivate community.

Growing up in Scotland, surrounded by Glasgow's vibrant culture and architecture, Iain Watson, CEO of David Collins Studio, found his passion early on. A chance meeting with David Collins changed his life forever. He started working alongside the designer over the summer. Since that pivotal moment, spanning more than three decades, Watson has remained an integral part of the studio's evolution. Together, they carved a niche in the hospitality industry, crafting iconic spaces, including chef Pierre Koffmann's La Tante Claire in Chelsea, Claridge's Bar at the Claridge's Hotel in London, and the Blue Bar in London's Berkeley Hotel. The firm is also one of a handful of designers behind the highly anticipated Fontainebleau Las Vegas, opening this month. After Collins' death in 2013, Watson took the reins of the company, where he has ushered the studio into a new era while still honoring Collins' legacy.

Born in Laguna Beach, California, Maryellis Bunn, founder of the Museum of Ice Cream, was influenced by her artist mother, who shaped her creative mindset. Dubbed the Millennial Walt Disney, Bunn launched the original concept for the Museum of Ice Cream as a pop-up in New York in 2016, and has since transformed it into brick-and-mortar experiential spaces that invite people to slide into a pool made of biodegradable sprinkles or enjoy a cocktail at the pretty-in-pink bar. With standalone museums in New York, Chicago, Austin, and Singapore, Bunn continues to evolve the brand's mission to create spaces that inspire imagination and unite people around something “as simple and beautiful as ice cream,” she says,

Designer Ken Fulk is a renaissance man, avid traveler, and a design dreamer. He's known for his artistry and creativity, conjuring cinematic experiences that defy expectations. Take his longtime partnership with nightlife empresario David Grutman. Together, they have created the whimsical Goodtime Hotel and the recently opened, equally eclectic and singular, Casadonna, both in Miami. Fulk is also evolving his office, owning and operating some of the restaurants he designs. “There's no exit strategy here,” he says. “People ask if I'll ever slow down, and I hope not. We will continue to evolve, grow, and stay curious.”

Tom Parker and Andy Goodwin founded the London- and Los Angeles-based Fettle in 2013 after a decade of working with some of London's most notable design firms including United Designers and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Launching their own firm was the natural next step for the friends-turned-business partners. “At the time, it was very exciting and it felt like we were on the precipice of something great,” says Parker. Today, their portfolio includes the Hoxton, Portland in Oregon, the Draycott in LA, and the just-opened Georgian, their meticulous revitalization of a grande dame in Santa Monica, California.

British-Nigerian designer Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́, who founded his London-based Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co in 2014, is known for his compelling design narratives that nod to his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria. He moved to London at the age of 6, and it wasn't long before Adẹ̀kọ́ started sketching furniture and clothing that caught the eye of his teachers and landed him a slot in a summer product design program led by Terence Conran.  His resumé includes stints with United Design Partnership and David Collins Studio, where he helped design Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha's outpost of Italian restaurant Scarpetta. Today, along with his eight-person team, he is crafting luxe interiors for a forthcoming fleet of cruise ships and designing a scullery inside a London men's hostel where residents find community in cooking and eating together. 

When COVID hit, Lola Taverna in New York's SoHo neighborhood had only been open for a few months. The world had stopped, and Cobi Levy and Will Makris, the duo behind Prince Street Hospitality, had to pivot. They turned Lola Taverna into a communal gathering spot, offering takeout food with chairs to rent (the money went to first responders). Utilizing the park next door, they served up to 250 people a day. It helped them survive those uncertain pandemic days, and when restaurants were finally able to reopen, Lola Taverna was on everyone's mind, with a waitlist on the weekends that numbered up to 4,000. Today, their portfolio includes seven restaurants in New York and Miami, with Alba on the boards in Los Angeles, the pair's first foray to the West Coast.

As president of luxury at Marriott International, Tina Edmundson oversees all aspects of Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, BVLGARI Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels Worldwide brands. But Edmundson, an industry veteran, first made a significant mark on the company as global brand and marketing officer, leading a portfolio of 30 distinct hotel brands upon the massive merger of Marriott and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Raised in Mumbai, India, where Edmundson's parents worked for an airline before her entrepreneurial mother opened a string of beauty salons, Edmundson graduated with a finance degree from the University of Bombay, and then ventured to the U.S. to pursue her MBA in hotel and restaurant administration at the University of Houston's Conrad N. Hilton college.

With a roster of venues including New York hotspots Ray's, Jac's on Bond, and Georgia Room, the trio behind Authentic Hospitality—Matt Kliegman, Matthew Charles, and Carlos Quirarte—have been reshaping New York's F&B scene since they opened the Smile In 2009. One of those partners, Kliegman, started his party-planning career back at New York University (NYU) and his résumé speaks for itself. Whether working with Ian Schrager at the Public Hotel or bringing an Old School sophistication to Rock Center with the Pebble Bar, Kliegman says the secret to his success is his team. “Partnerships are like marriages,” he points out, “and it's important to take the time to pick the right partners.”

With a father in the military, the Paris-based Emlyn Brown attended 13 schools over 18 years. During high school in Munich, he traveled constantly with his family, from Italy to Cyprus and Hong Kong. He graduated from the University of Manchester in the UK with a degree in leisure and sport, and furthered his education in the field by studying sport science and psychology. That led him to his first job with Holmes Place, a health, fitness, and wellness concept, which Brown describes as the Equinox of the '90s. His seven-year journey there took him from the sales floor to eventually becoming the area director for Europe. Today, his résumé is a who's who of gamechanging wellness brands, including Six Senses, GOCO Hospitality, Resense Spa, and currently Accor, where he serves as the global senior vice president of wellbeing. Here, Brown explains how if wellbeing is done right, it can create a sense of community.

Born in Budapest, the London-based Linda Boronkay was inspired by her architect father and her journalist mother. Indeed, her interest in design was piqued from an early age with the former model winning Britain's Best Emerging Interior Designer award during her second year of college. That led to jobs with Martin Brudnizki, Tara Bernerd, and Woods Bagot. From there, she landed at Soho House, where she spent four years as the company's director of design.  In September 2020, at the height of the pandemic, she launched her own eponymous firm. With a team of 12, her studio has been enlisted to design the Thompson Rome and Sir Prague, adding to her growing portfolio. “I'm in love with the notion of ... giving people an unforgettable experience,” she says. “ I want to give [people] that sense of excitement and fantasy—that primal, intuitive, and visceral feeling that you're about to experience something special. I'm in love with that feeling.”

In November 2023, Libby Sims Patrick will be inducted into Hospitality Design's Platinum Circle, an honor bestowed on those who have made significant impact and contributions to the hospitality industry. In February of 2022, Sims Patrick joined editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen for a wide-ranging conversation, where she reflected on her southern upbringing, launching her Atlanta-based firm, and her role as an owner-developer of the River Runner Hotel, slated to open in 2024. 

Andrew Fay and Roger Hill met at Cornell University and became fast friends bonding over their shared passion for hospitality. In 1988, they took a leap of faith and founded the Gettys Group. It was a big risk at the time, but one that has paid off in the three-plus decades they've run the Chicago-based company as COO and CEO, respectively. Their work speaks for itself. Consider the Farnam Hotel's vibrant interiors, which have reinvigorated Omaha, Nebraska, or the Grand Bohemian Orlando's lush designs.  Today, the 70-person firm is made up of experts in everything from interiors  and development to branding and procurement. This collaborative spirit has allowed the Gettys Group to offer a truly holistic approach to design, ensuring that each project is as unique and memorable as the next.

For Malene Djenaba Barnett, the common thread of her life's work is her ancestors, whom she pays homage to through her multidisciplinary pursuits. There's Barnett's textiles and ceramics work tied to the Black diaspora, her 2018 founding of the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) to celebrate and support Black creatives, and her current studies as a Fulbright scholar where she is the visiting artist at Edna Manley College in Kingston, Jamaica. 

The Co-CEOS of Tao Group Hospitality share the unique distinction of being business partners and best friends. After meeting in high school, Tepperberg and Strauss started throwing parties which quickly evolved into larger events and an exclusive list of clientele. After graduating from college, they founded Strategic Group, opened gamechanging Manhattan nightclub Marquee, and eventually, met Marc Packer and Rich Wolf, founders of Tao restaurant. Soon after, the foursome launched Tao Group Hospitality—and the rest is history. 

After 17 years ascending the ranks of Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), starting out as a designer before eventually becoming a partner, Meghann Day was recently promoted to President of the Americas. Although Day's career has taken her all over the world and through different roles from designer to principal interior designer to her newly created position, one thing hasn't changed—her love of hospitality.