BLLA Podcast: Affordable Luxury with Ernest Lee
Season 1, Episode 3 of “The Unfamiliar Shift with Ariela”
Overview
Ernest Lee of citizenM is based in New York City and has an extensive range of business experience in investments, real estate, finance, strategy, and even operations. It’s safe to say in the bustling city that never sleeps, he’s truly doing it all. As the Chief Growth Officer for the famous citizenM Hotels, Ernest is responsible for implementing new growth initiatives, products, and programs, pursuing strategic partnerships, and developing long-term commercial strategy in collaboration with the Chief Commercial Officer. To top it all off, he’s recognized for guiding the complex multi-regional expansion of citizenM’s North American portfolio.
These luxury properties, or proud misfits of traditional hotels, are satisfying the modern traveler’s desire for affordable luxury and brilliantly shifting the status quo of hospitality as we know it.
What You Will Hear:
- How Ernest built a career in the hospitality industry
- Chief Growth Officer explained
- Learning by looking at other industries
- citizenM ethos
- Creating a new category, Affordable Luxury, in the boutique hotel industry
- Building a boutique hotel portfolio based on transparency
- The 360 experience
- Advice and tips on owning and operating a boutique hotel
- Authenticity and the importance of listening
- Choosing locations
- What boutique means to Ernest
Season 1 is sponsored by Solonis, the new property management system designed for hotels. Solonis is also a premier partner member of BLLA!
BLLA (Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association)
Established in 2009, the Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) is the world's most innovative and influential association for independent boutique hotels, brands, and suppliers. Dedicated to championing the unique essence of boutique hospitality, BLLA offers its global membership base unparalleled networking opportunities, industry insights, and advocacy initiatives. With a mission to elevate and empower independent hotel owners and operators, BLLA continues to shape the future of hospitality through innovation, collaboration, and excellence. The organization is a pioneer in forecasting the boutique movement. The corporate manifesto showcases BLLA as a catalyst for trends and the future of the boutique lifestyle, with a focus on hospitality. BLLA.org BLLA LinkedIn BLLA Events LinkedIn
