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 Basalago, Director of Operations 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.