HN Originals

HN TV
Interview Sustainability

EHL Innovation Rewind: Bernhard Bohnenberger on Mindful Luxury and the Invisible Power of Technology

Our conversation with Bernhard Bohnenberger, CEO and Co-founder of Discover Collection, took place during the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne. We spoke with him about the role of technology in luxury hospitality, how guest expectations are evolving, and why emotional connection should remain central to high-end travel. Drawing on his background with Six Senses and now the Discover Collection, Bernhard shared his vision for what he calls “Mindful Luxury” and how technology should support—never replace—the human experience.

Simone Puorto in conversation with Bernhard Bohnenberger
HN TV
Interview Sustainability

EHL Innovation Rewind: Pierre-André Krüger on Blending Ancient Wisdom with Modern Hospitality

During the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne, we had the chance to sit down with Pierre-André Krüger, CEO and Founder of Nomad Lodges. Our conversation explored the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern hospitality, the importance of working closely with indigenous communities, and why he believes that real transformation begins when guests reconnect—with nature, with others, and with themselves.

Simone Puorto in conversation with Pierre-André Krüger
HN TV
Interview Sales & Marketing

EHL Innovation Rewind: Rainer Stampfer on AI, Personalization, and the Human Touch at Four Seasons

During the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne, we sat down with Rainer Stampfer, President of Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Our conversation explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in luxury hospitality, the evolving expectations around personalization, and why the human element continues to be the ultimate marker of excellence in high-end service.

Rainer Stampfer in conversation with Simone Puorto
HN TV
Interview Sustainability

EHL Innovation Rewind: Diane Binder on Redefining Sustainability, Regeneration, and the True Meaning of Luxury

During the EHL Open Innovation Summit, we sat down with Diane Binder to talk about the role of virtual reality, regeneration, and what real luxury means today. As Founder and CEO of Regenopolis and Co-founder of 700’000 heures Impact, Diane brings a unique lens that bridges sustainable development, hospitality, and systemic change. In our conversation, she shared why we need to move beyond metrics, how hospitality can become part of local ecosystems, and why the next era of travel will be defined by meaning, not just experience.

Simone Puorto in conversation with Diane Binder
HN TV
Opinion Article Sustainability

EHL Innovation Rewind: Sarah Marquis on Why the Future of Travel Must Be Felt, Not Engineered

While attending the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne, we met with Sarah Marquis, National Geographic Explorer, to talk about the future of travel and what makes it truly meaningful. In our conversation, she reflected on the importance of emotional connection, the irreplaceable value of walking, and how real travel is never about technology but about presence, feeling, and being part of the natural world.

By Sarah Marquis and Simone Puorto
HN TV
Interview Technology

EHL Innovation Rewind: Michael Levie on Middleware, Microdata and the Jam Session Spirit of CitizenM

At the Open Innovation Summit hosted by EHL, we sat down with Michael Levie, Founding Partner at CitizenM Hotels. We asked him a few questions about where he sees the biggest tech shifts coming in hospitality and what makes CitizenM stand out in the way they work. Michael talked about middleware, microdata and why moving to the cloud is not enough. He also explained how the culture at CitizenM is like a jam session and how that energy still lives on today.

Simone Puorto in conversation with Michael Levie
HN Original
Opinion Article Sales & Marketing

Food for Thought: Is Traditional Search Dead?

A recent post on LinkedIn declared the end of the search engines as we know them. the list even declared “R.I.P. Search.” This is in tune with an avalanche of recent headlines arguing that traditional search is dead due to the rise of AI Search via the generative AI platforms ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.

By Max Starkov, Hospitality & travel technologist and digital strategist, Hospitality Net
HN Original
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

Why is Airbnb losing the war of STR dominance to Booking.com?

Last year, Booking.com delivered 400.4 million nights booked at short-term rentals (STRs), which was 80% of Airbnb’s total nights. At the same time, Booking.com generates almost twice as many nights per listing on its platform as Airbnb. Growth rates for a number of STR listings on the Booking.com platform were 17% vs only 4% for Airbnb.

By Max Starkov, Hospitality & travel technologist and digital strategist, Hospitality Net
HN Original
Opinion Article Technology

Hospitality Net’s Recap: Insights from Mews Unfold 2025

Mews Unfold 2025 opened with a different tone than previous editions. Instead of product features or welcome applause, Mews founder Richard Valtr and CEO Matt Welle spoke openly about the state of the world. In a time of political uncertainty and unpredictable travel patterns, they challenged the industry to stop asking why and start acting on the how.

By Henri Roelings, Founder, Hospitality Net
HN Original
Opinion Article Technology

The 2025 Mews Unfold Awards: Honoring Excellence in Hospitality

Held as the grand finale of this year’s Mews Unfold conference, the 2025 Mews Unfold Awards were a fantastic way to wrap up an already energizing day. It was great to be there in person as the Mews team shined a spotlight on some of the most forward-thinking people and brands in hospitality. This was all about sincere recognition for the people and ideas driving hospitality forward.

By Henri Roelings, Founder, Hospitality Net
HN Original
Opinion Article Technology

The Heart of Hospitality - A Day at Mews Unfold Volume 06

Exactly one week ago, we had the pleasure of attending Mews Unfold 2025 in Amsterdam. Now in its sixth edition, Unfold has grown into one of the most anticipated hospitality events in Europe, drawing over 700 hoteliers, tech partners, and innovators from around the world. What began in a single room just a few years ago has evolved into a multi-floor experience, full of energy, insight, and meaningful connection.

By Henri Roelings, Founder, Hospitality Net
HN Original
Opinion Article Technology

From "Gig" to "Glitch" Economy: Hospitality's New Battle Against AI Hallucinations

Last week, a client contacted me in visible perplexity: "We received a booking for a two-bedroom suite that does not exist." There was no record to corroborate this reservation: no website transaction, OTA listing, or direct inquiry. The source was eventually traced to an obscure AI-driven booking platform, whose name we withhold for professional discretion, which had fabricated an entirely plausible yet wholly fictional description of the property. The guest arrived altogether convinced. The staff? Utterly baffled...

By Daniel C. Doppler and Simone Puorto
HN Original
Interview Technology

Unfolding the Future of Hospitality: Why Mews Unfold Is the Conversation the Industry Needs

As the hospitality industry faces ongoing economic challenges, shifting guest expectations, and rapid technological change, there is a growing need for operators to rethink how they work. Mews Unfold, a one-day event taking place on Wednesday, April 30 at the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam, is here to help turn that into action.

Henri Roelings in conversation with Matthijs Welle
HN Original
Opinion Article Sales & Marketing

Why hoteliers routinely ignore a very lucrative revenue source?

A recent post on LinkedIn claimed that hoteliers should not be bidding on their branded keyword terms on Google (Ex. Luna Hotel New York, Luna Hotel NYC, Hotel Luna Manhattan, etc.), since a multitude of other channels like social, content, various media channels, etc. are driving the actual demand for those branded Google searches for your hotel.

By Max Starkov, Hospitality & travel technologist and digital strategist, Hospitality Net