The Turndown: The Podcast for Hoteliers

James Kendall LaRue: Connecting guests with nature and one another at LOGE

How do you create a truly memorable hospitality experience that keeps guests coming back? In this episode of The Turndown, James Kendall LaRue, COO of LOGE, shares his journey from consulting to leading an innovative hospitality brand that prioritizes community and authenticity. With properties designed to get guests out of their rooms and connected with each other and the outdoors, LOGE blends technology and personalized hospitality to create memorable moments across its growing network of experiential stays.
 
Kendall discusses how LOGE leverages tech to streamline operations while empowering team members to focus on human-to-human interactions and shares insights on why authenticity and genuine care are the core competencies he seeks in leaders. With a unique approach to staffing, training, and community engagement, Kendall explains why true hospitality is about creating meaningful experiences, not just selling rooms.

Claudia Infante: A Chief Data Officer’s take on hotel tech, integration, and data strategy

How do you balance guest experience with data security in an industry built on personal connections? In this episode of The Turndown, Claudia Infante, Chief Data Officer at Margaritaville, shares her perspective on the evolving role of technology in hospitality—what’s working, what’s missing, and what needs to change.
 
From guest data management to AI and facial recognition, Claudia breaks down how hotels can leverage technology without losing the heart of hospitality. She also shares her thoughts on the next generation of industry leaders and why seamless tech integrations are still one of the biggest pain points in hospitality. Plus, we hear about her career journey from banquet server to hospitality tech leader and what earning a Lifetime Achievement Award means to her.
 

Diogo Vaz Ferreira: Authenticity and adaptability in the age of automation

What does it mean to deliver authentic hospitality in an increasingly automated world? In this episode of The Turndown, Diogo Vaz Ferreira, Head of Commercial at Clink Hostels, shares his thoughts on balancing modernization with the human touch in the hostel industry.
 
The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of integrating automation, the evolving expectations of younger, tech-savvy travelers, and how hostels like Clink are staying ahead by embracing innovation without sacrificing community. From the intricacies of hostel revenue management to the impact of social dynamics on guest experience, this episode offers valuable insights for hospitality professionals navigating a fast-changing landscape.

Enrique Calderón Fernández: Developing teams and talent at Mexico’s largest hotel group

What does it take to lead the largest hotel group in Mexico, oversee 17,000 employees, and navigate an industry in constant transformation? In this episode of The Turndown, Enrique Calderón Fernández, COO of Posadas, shares his insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of hospitality.
 
From keeping hotels open during the pandemic to developing 30 new properties, Enrique discusses the challenges of labor retention, rising costs, and evolving guest expectations. He explains how Posadas is driving productivity through guest experience, upselling, and sustainability - while navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. 

Adam Dailey: An investor’s mindset behind today’s hospitality deals

What’s it like to build a portfolio in a high-barrier market like San Diego? In this episode of The Turndown, Adam Dailey, real estate investor and accommodation operator, shares how he finds value in overlooked properties and why uncertainty is both a challenge and an opportunity for independent hoteliers.
 
From running an Olympic hospitality business to building a portfolio in San Diego, Adam shares how his early experience packaging tickets and accommodations sparked a passion for real estate. He talks through the realities of today’s hospitality market—financing challenges, shifting guest behavior, and why service still matters more than ever.

Diego de Ponga: Leadership lessons from revenue management to the C-suite

What does it take to lead a successful hotel brand while keeping people at the heart of everything you do? In this episode of The Turndown, Diego de Ponga, CEO of Port Hotels, shares his journey from head of revenue management to CEO of one of Spain's most iconic family-owned hotel groups.
 
Diego explains how Port Hotels invests heavily in employee development, emphasizing why training programs and team culture are critical for hospitality success. He also highlights the importance of clearly aligning sales, marketing, and revenue management teams to create a perfect growth cycle, shares how integrated technology drives efficiency, and provides practical advice for revenue professionals to future-proof their careers.

Maxim Tint: How Asia is jumpstarting the documentless travel revolution

There’s a lot of talk about AI in hospitality - but how can it actually be used to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations for hotels? In this episode of The Turndown, Maxim Tint, Founder & CEO of Trevo talks about the evolution of guest experiences through technology. 
 
The conversation dives into the challenges hoteliers face in adopting change, the role of governments in driving innovation, and the balance between automation and in-person guest interactions.

Lori Kiel: Bridging gaps in talent and technology

The hospitality industry is facing a talent crisis, but what does it take to attract, retain, and inspire the next generation of leaders? In this episode of The Turndown, Lori Kiel, SVP of Revenue Management at Pyramid Global Hospitality, shares her thoughts on the evolving role of talent and technology in the industry.
 
The conversation dives into the future of revenue management and commercial teams, the importance of collaboration, and how to create a sustainable pipeline of passionate hospitality professionals.