Show Notes
Coming live from the UK Hotelier Roundtable Roadshow - this conversation comes from Whittlebury Park, with our hotel host Bradley Spillman, Senior Digital and Marketing Manager, alongside and a panel of experts. We look into how a family-run estate is using data, design and technology without losing that human, hospitality feel. Featuring David Ohanjanian from Up Hotel Agency, Sharon Cowler of Netaffinity, Prem Jethwa-Odedra from Biteluxe, Alessandra Leoni from Focus on Hospitality, Scot Turner from Auden Hospitality What We Explore - Personalisation & Story: How Whittlebury Park is using small, specific touches and guest data to move beyond generic messaging and create stays that feel remembered, not just recorded. - Websites & Conversion: Why a clear brief, flexible design and a shorter booking journey turned Whittlebury’s website into both a brand window and a serious revenue driver. - Tech & Human Balance: How booking engines, WhatsApp, on-site data capture and smarter F&B and spatial design can support direct bookings and guest satisfaction without losing the heart of hospitality. What stayed with me from this roundtable is how hoteliers challenges are shared, whether running a vast estate or opening a single independent hotel. The tools are there, but the real work is choosing the right ones, aligning owners and teams, and keeping the guest’s reality at the centre. Sometimes - tech is not the answer. Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.
More from Hoteliers’ Voice
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Is hospitality just a stepping stone, or can it be a lifelong, fulfilling career? In this episode, we sit down with Marsela Loulai, Hotel Manager at Mercure Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa, for an insightful, practical conversation on the future of talent in the hospitality industry. Drawing from her personal career journey—spanning past milestones, current leadership challenges, and future ambitions—Marsela shares her direct experience with modern people management and hiring in today's competitive landscape. Together, we explore how leaders can rewrite the industry narrative to transform hospitality from a temporary stint into a rewarding, long-term profession. Plus, Marsela gives us an insider’s look at Kenwood Hall—a historic 4-star country house hotel set in 12 acres of tranquil parkland near Sheffield city centre. She breaks down their target guest profile, marketing focus, tailored event packages, and the distinct advantages of combining boutique charm with the global reach of the Mercure brand. Key Highlights & Takeaways Career Trajectory: Marsela’s personal journey and how early experiences shaped her modern leadership style. The Hiring Reality: Honest insights into modern recruitment, retention, and managing diverse teams in today’s market. From Job to Career: Actionable strategies for hospitality leaders to foster long-term career growth and employee loyalty. Behind the Scenes at Kenwood Hall: Understanding their target guests, custom event offerings, and marketing focus. The Brand Advantage: Balancing the local character of a Sheffield landmark with the global strength and support of Mercure.
Discounting gets heads in beds, but does it drive profitable growth? Does it deliver the right type of guests? What are the risks? In this episode, we sit down with Jon Siberry, Revenue Consultant for Z Hotels and Sarova Hotels, to uncover the real impact of flash sales and impulse buying in today’s hotel landscape. Jon breaks down what actually drives results versus what simply erodes your Average Daily Rate (ADR). Whether you're looking to fill sudden distressed inventory or test new market segments, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for executing flash campaigns without diluting your brand. In this episode, we discuss: What Works vs. What Doesn't: The exact conditions under which a flash campaign succeeds, and the common pitfalls that burn revenue. Impact on Rates & ADR: How to structure deep discounts without destroying your rate integrity or anchor pricing. The "Impulse" Guest Profile: Who actually books these deals, their lead times, and how their behavior differs from direct bookers. Ancillary Spend & RevPAR: Does a discounted rate lead to lower overall spend, or can on-property upselling make up the difference? Reviewing Performance: Key metrics beyond occupancy to evaluate whether a campaign was genuinely incremental or just cannibalized direct bookings.