Brand | Insiders

The world of hotel brands is beautifully diverse and constantly evolving, varying by guest profile, scale, region, design, amenities, heritage, and many other attributes. For hoteliers who live and breathe this industry, this variety is a rich tapestry to help travelers of all types discover new destinations. For everyone else, this multiplicity can be dauntingly confusing! Brand Insiders gives a voice to innovative hotel brands. Episodes focus on what makes hotel brands unique, how their operational playbooks generate returns for owners, and how they are meeting the evolving needs of modern travelers. It’s a video series for all to learn about industry trends, trendsetting brands, growing categories and emerging markets.

Building the Future of Hospitality: An Interview with Niko Karstikko, Co-Founder & CEO of Bob W

This interview features Niko Karstikko, the Co-Founder & Group CEO of Bob W, an innovative hospitality company blending the comfort and consistency of hotels with the authentic local experience and affordability of short-stay rentals, designed for modern, tech-savvy travelers who mix business and leisure stays. Founded in 2017-2018, Bob W operates in commercial properties under appropriate legal frameworks and emphasizes scalability, flexibility, and sustainability through technology - such as app-enabled self-service amenities, partnerships with local gyms and restaurants, and a tech stack for guest and operational services. Their average stay length is about 4 nights and they have expanded across 19 cities in 11 European countries

Beyond Luxury: Ori Kafri’s Vision of Human-Centered Hospitality at J.K. Place

Ori Kafri introduces J.K. Place as a family-founded boutique hotel brand that defines "boutique" not by design trends, but by personal, tailor-made hospitality. With three intimate properties in Capri, Rome, Paris, and soon Milan, each averaging around 30 rooms, Kafri describes the brand"s essence as creating "homes" rather than hotels - spaces where guests feel personally known and individually cared for. He contrasts J.K."s approach to larger hotel chains, which he likens to luxury fashion houses, while J.K. Place aspires to be the "tailor-made suit" - a bespoke experience built through genuine human connection.