Welcome to our grand finale episode of Season 2 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury hospitality.

In our finale episode, we're thrilled to feature three extraordinary "Leaders Behind the Stars." First, award-winning travel journalist Jeannette Ceja shares her journey of pursuing a master's degree in France while maintaining her global media career. Her perspective on representation and finding one's voice offers valuable insights for industry professionals.

In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, we spotlight two standout leaders from the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Summit in Monaco: Scott Campbell, Director of Revenue Management at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, and Jeff Wielgopolan, Service Director at Meadowood Napa Valley.

What does it take to deliver world-class service—when you've never experienced it yourself? This powerful question sits at the heart of five-star hospitality, and both Scott and Jeff offer deep insight into how they lead teams to create authentic, elevated guest experiences that go far beyond expectations.

Imagine stepping off a small turboprop plane onto a pristine island less than a mile long, where coconut trees sway in gentle breezes and sea turtles nest undisturbed along protected shores. Welcome to the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, where luxury meets untouched nature in perfect harmony.

Join us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Mark Basaloga, Resort Manager at Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.

Step into Tuscan luxury with Episode 6 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide. This week, our "Leaders Behind the Stars" spotlight falls on Roberto Protezione, General Manager of Castelfalfi, a 2,700-acre estate between Florence and Pisa. Under Roberto’s leadership, Castelfalfi transformed from a €250-per-night property into a €1,000+ ultra-luxury destination, earning a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating on its first application.

Join us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Pierre-Louis Renou, General Manager of Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel. This legendary property, freshly reopened in March 2023 after a three-year transformation, has proudly earned a Five-Star rating this year. 

Pierre-Louis takes us behind the scenes to explore the leadership and vision that brought this milestone to life. The Carlton Cannes stands as a striking example of how luxury hospitality continues to evolve, adapting to the expectations of today’s diverse and dynamic travelers. Pierre-Louis shares how affluent guests are breaking conventional molds—one day arriving by private jet, the next flying economy—creating a demand for unmatched flexibility paired with unwavering, top-tier service.  

In episode 4 of our 10-part Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, we continue our "Leaders Behind the Stars" spotlight with Megan Torrance, Senior Vice President for Learning and Development at Forbes Travel Guide, as she takes us behind the scenes to explore how the world’s most prestigious hotels are adapting to meet these new demands.

Forbes Travel Guide’s approach goes beyond checklists—it's about creating meaningful, emotional connections with guests. With 40 expert trainers worldwide, their mission is to elevate service through personalized coaching rather than rigid procedures.

In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series with Forbes Travel Guide, we spotlight one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars" — Pradeep Raman, Managing Director of The Surrey – A Corinthia Hotel.

Nestled in New York’s Upper East Side, this newly opened luxury hotel has achieved an incredible 35% repeat guest rate in just months. Pradeep shares the secret behind its success—genuine connections. From doormen who know local pets by name to a guest who moved his entire business to the hotel after witnessing this level of care, The Surrey's philosophy is clear: You come as a guest, leave as a friend, and return as family.

In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, we highlight one of the Leaders Behind the Stars—Sarah McIntosh, the inspiring Hotel Manager at the Five-Star Maybourne Beverly Hills. Sarah takes us behind the scenes of her impressive career trajectory, her leadership approach, and the trends defining the next chapter of Five-Star hospitality.  

Sarah shares key insights into trends shaping the future of luxury hospitality, providing a glimpse into how properties like the Maybourne Beverly Hills remain leaders in the industry.  

Welcome to Season 2 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury hospitality.

In this season, we take you behind the scenes of Forbes Travel Guide 'The Summit' in Monaco—their first-ever international event. With over 750 attendees from 90+ countries, this prestigious event drew a global audience for learning, collaboration, and celebrating excellence in luxury hospitality, which featured main stage talks, exclusive sessions, and even the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.

In our first episode we are joined by Malcolm Hendry, Managing Director of Hotel 41, The Rubens at the Palace, and 100 Princes Street, who shares his incredible journey to earning his first Forbes Travel Guide’s coveted five-star rating and how they have maintained that status for nine consecutive years. Discover how he rallied his team after narrowly missing the mark on the first attempt and built a culture of excellence that defines Red Carnation Hotels.

Experience the behind-the-scenes magic of 'The Summit' in Las Vegas with Amanda Fraser, President, Standards & Ratings at Forbes Travel Guide.

Discover the meticulous planning and unparalleled vision that go into creating this extraordinary event, where structured sessions seamlessly blend with ample networking opportunities. Amanda provides exclusive insights into how this invitation only event brings together an unparalleled group of global leaders in hospitality, influential luxury brands, thought leaders, and travel professionals.

What if the pandemic had an unexpected silver lining for luxury travel in India? Join us as we sit down with Sanjay Arya, CEO of KFT Corporation, who shares how the Forbes Travel Summit in Las Vegas transformed his perspective on the industry.

Ever wondered how watching media stars like Sofia Vergara can ignite a passion for travel? Meet Jeannette Ceja, the dynamic founder of Jet Set with Jeannette, who joins us to share her inspiring journey from her roots in Orange County and Nashville to becoming a trailblazer in the travel industry. Jeannette reveals how her Mexican heritage and early aspirations, fueled by travel shows on Discovery Channel, shaped her mission to represent the Latina community in media. Tune in to hear Jeannette’s dedication to promoting diversity in the travel world and how she uses her platform to showcase the beauty of the world and her cultural roots.

What if you could transform your travel experiences while empowering local artisans? Join us for an engaging conversation with Rana Saad, the visionary founder and CEO of Tuzmo, recorded live at Forbes Travel Guide’s ‘The Summit’ in Las Vegas. Rana takes us through Tuzmo’s journey from its launch just before the pandemic to its current standing as a platform that connects travelers with local artisans for authentic cultural experiences. You'll gain insights into the massive $650 billion handicraft market, poised to grow to $1.3 trillion, and learn how Tuzmo is ensuring that more revenue reaches the artisans themselves. Rana's extensive background in travel and digital innovation at Accenture has helped fuel Tuzmo’s mission to create meaningful and fair travel experiences.

What does it take to build a luxury car rental empire from just seven vehicles to a fleet of 6,000? Join us as we sit down with Mauricio Souza, VP of Operations at Go Rentals, to uncover the secret behind their remarkable growth. We explore how the company, founded by two brothers in 1995, caters exclusively to the ultra-high-net-worth community with an unwavering focus on exceptional service, products, and relationships. Mauricio shares his valuable insights from the Forbes Travel Guide Summit where he emphasizes the importance of community in achieving unparalleled service excellence.

How do luxury hotels craft unforgettable experiences while accommodating diverse dietary needs? Join us live from the Forbes Travel Guide Summit in Las Vegas as we sit down with Tiffany Dowd, better known as Luxe Tiffany. With over 15 years of experience in the luxury hotel social media landscape, Tiffany shares her journey and the pivotal role she plays as an ambassador for Forbes Travel Guide. Gain exclusive insights into how luxury hotels, private islands, and real estate companies refine their social media strategies under her expert guidance.

What if you could launch an iconic luxury resort and achieve a five-star rating within its first year? Discover the secrets behind this incredible feat as we sit down with Tom Roelens, the Managing Director of Atlantis Dubai, live from the FTG Summit in Las Vegas. Tom's journey is nothing short of remarkable, from Michelin-starred kitchens in Belgium and France to earning his stripes at Cornell University and leading renowned properties with Four Seasons. We uncover his strategies for exceptional guest service, the pivotal role of his team, and how Atlantis Dubai achieved top honors from Forbes Travel Guide right out of the gate.

How does a background in hospitality and fashion production lead to revolutionizing the luxury hotel industry? Join us as we chat with Jason Lurie, the mastermind behind Jalen Designs, who has turned the world of hospitality uniform design on its head. From his beginnings making costumes for Disney and Marvel to an unexpected pivot into outfitting elite private members clubs, Jason's journey is a testament to innovation and adaptability. Discover how a chance meeting with Forbes Travel Guide opened the doors to a global luxury market and learn about the meticulous approach Jason takes to understand each hotel's unique regionality and history.

Ever wondered what it takes to earn the prestigious triple five-star Forbes Travel Guide rating? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Langevin, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman, who provides an insider’s perspective on elevating resort standards to this elite level. Mark discusses the essential role of teamwork and the relentless pursuit of excellence, emphasizing how 900 dedicated 'ladies and gentlemen' contributed to this remarkable achievement. He shares the joy of celebrating this milestone with his team and the continuous commitment to maintaining these high standards.

Imagine transforming every hotel stay into an unforgettable experience with just the right linens. That's exactly what Filippo Arnaboldi, CEO of Frette, shares with us on this episode. Filippo takes us on a journey through Frette's remarkable history since its inception in 1860, spotlighting its role in the global hospitality industry. Learn how Frette partners with elite hotels and cruise lines to craft bespoke, high-quality bedding and linens that cater to unique environments and climates. From luxurious, natural materials to meticulous tailoring, discover the art of creating a perfect sleep experience that leaves a lasting impression on guests.

Ever wondered how someone goes from washing dishes at a fried chicken restaurant to being a managing director of a luxury resort? Join us as we uncover Rick Fidel's remarkable journey from Auburn University psychology student to three-time Forbes Travel Guide five-star recipient.Rick shares his path to success, emphasizing the critical roles of hard work, vision, and team support. We also explore the camaraderie and recognition at the Forbes Summit, where Rick expresses heartfelt gratitude to his mentors and colleagues. This episode is not just about Rick’s inspiring story but also offers invaluable advice for aspiring leaders in the hospitality industry.