The subsequent cease on the Suite Spot Street Journey takes vacationers to Delray Seaside, Florida, to go to the newly re-imagined property, Hyatt Place Delray Seaside, with particular visitor and Common Supervisor of the resort, Taylor Wauhob.
This not too long ago renovated property boasts unbelievable ocean views, strong F&B, newly designed interiors, and a horny location that provides plentiful enjoyable for the entire household.
Tune in now to listen to the total episode and why Hyatt Place Delray Seaside must be your subsequent trip vacation spot.
Ryan Embree:Welcome to Suite Spot, the place hoteliers verify in, and we take a look at what’s trending in resort advertising. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Whats up everybody. Welcome to a different episode of The Suite Spot. That is your host, Ryan Embree, right here for one more version of the Suite Spot Street Journey. We’re right here down south, only a vibrant line journey away from our TMG headquarters on the Hyatt Place, Delray Seaside, a ravishing property, which I’m so excited to speak about and showcase in the present day, with the overall supervisor, Taylor. Taylor, thanks a lot for internet hosting us right here at your Hyatt Place.
Taylor Wauhob:Thanks a lot for having me. It’s such an honor to be on the present and actually excited to let you know about Delray and showcase our property.
Ryan Embree:It’s a ravishing property. It’s an unbelievable location. I can’t wait to get all into it, however in hospitality, we love a great story, proper? We love speaking about experiences. We come from totally different manufacturers. Generally we fall into the trade, generally we went to highschool for it. So share just a little bit us about your skilled journey and the hospitality profession that introduced you right here to the Hyatt Place.
Taylor Wauhob:Completely. My journey into hospitality was definitely sudden. I acquired a job at a entrance desk throughout faculty, simply wanted one thing to do within the downtime.
Ryan Embree:Heard that earlier than.
Taylor Wauhob:Yeah, it’s one thing to maintain me doing the appropriate factor. And I fell in love with it. I used to be actually nervous entering into it. It’s plenty of visitor interplay and I used to be just a little shy on the time, so I wasn’t certain how it could go, however I actually beloved it. And I didn’t know what life after faculty was gonna appear to be for me. So I made a decision to only make investments absolutely in that position and see the place it took me. And fortunately I labored for a administration firm that actually invested in inner progress. And so only a few weeks earlier than commencement, I used to be provided a task as a supervisor in coaching. And I used to be excited to have an concept of what my future would appear to be. So I pursued that and I’ve moved throughout the nation I had with that firm, and it will definitely introduced me to Florida the place I lastly felt like, all proper, it is a great spot to place down some roots. I discovered Kolter Hospitality, which has such a ravishing portfolio, so I actually preferred the chance to develop inside an organization with out having to go away the state of Florida. So I began right here two years in the past and that is the place we’re at now.
Ryan Embree:Effectively, it’s unbelievable and a real reflection on the transferable expertise of hospitality. You actually can go wherever throughout the nation, after which you find yourself at a ravishing property like this. Effectively, congratulations. The property not too long ago underwent a whole renovation, a whole design reimagination. Clearly these story, there’s all the time a narrative with these, proper? Generally complications, however they’re ardour initiatives that find yourself trying like this, like we’ve got right here. Inform us just a little bit concerning the renovations, what visitors love about it, after which possibly personally what you’re keen on about it.
Taylor Wauhob:Yeah, completely. I feel I began on the excellent time. I got here into the property about three months earlier than the renovation was gonna begin. So I acquired to see peak season at this property pre-renovation which was definitely a problem. It was an older resort. There was some situation challenges that we have been dealing with, however I additionally acquired to see the visitors who nonetheless beloved this property, even regardless of that. So it was nice to work together with that clientele after which be right here by means of the entire course of. And I’m actually grateful that I nonetheless have over 50% of my workforce from pre-renovation.
Ryan Embree:That’s wonderful.
Taylor Wauhob:Yeah. It’s, it’s no simple feat. Anyone who’s been by means of it is aware of that you simply hope to by no means do it once more, but it surely was definitely value it. So it was actually cool to see this all come collectively. I feel it’s very easy to take a look at the person objects and type of suppose how is that this gonna come collectively as a design. However the designer did an unbelievable job. It’s acquired a very coastal really feel now, and I like that it actually suits Delray Seaside. There’s no different Hyatt place that you simply’re gonna stroll into and have this design or really feel this type of property manner. So it’s been very nice to see our visitors are available and be so pleasantly shocked on the adjustments and simply how a lot it suits the realm now.
Ryan Embree:Any components that you simply notably like?
Taylor Wauhob:It’s vibrant and it’s ethereal, which I completely love. However my favourite is our bar. We’ve acquired such a ravishing gentle fixture over that bar. With huge open home windows, so you possibly can see all people strolling round downtown. And it’s only a actually nice draw proper there.
Ryan Embree:It’s a singular property for a singular location. And I had the chance yesterday night to stroll round. We have been speaking about, you wouldn’t even recognized it was a Tuesday evening. It felt the vitality, the vibe, the texture felt like a weekend. There have been children enjoying within the inexperienced areas and households, there was nightlife occurring. I feel I walked by a pair stay bands that we’re enjoying as nicely. Paint an image for many who aren’t aware of Delray Seaside concerning the location of this property since you’re steps away from plenty of of nice, simply nightlife and meals and beverage, all the pieces.
Taylor Wauhob:Effectively, you summed it up very well. You’ll be able to go for a stroll, you wouldn’t know what day of the week it was, and also you wouldn’t know who lives within the space. Actually, it’s just a little little bit of all the pieces. It’s such an amazing draw for households, for school college students, for retirees. When you simply stroll from right here to the seashore, it’s a mile away in that stroll. You’re gonna hit each type of delicacies you would think about. The perfect seafood, in fact, you’re gonna hit nice bars which have patios, stay music, outside video games or rooftops with coastal views. You’re gonna cross by every kind of various occasions. There’s comedy reveals, there’s live shows, there’s the retro arcade the place children and households can hang around, however you possibly can nonetheless seize a drink and hang around for the day. Nice boutique outfitters, each type of gelato and ice cream you possibly can think about. So simply a lot energetic stuff occurring. It’s actually nice.
Ryan Embree:Very cool. And clearly nightlife, meals and beverage, huge attracts to this space, however nice for occasions as nicely. When persons are coming in. Teams that are available behind us right here is the entrance desk. I’m certain one of the crucial frequent questions is are available and also you’re like, Hey, the place’s one of the best place to eat? What’s a few of your employees saying? After which possibly, what are among the meals and beverage choices you talked about the bar earlier than that you simply provide right here on web site for visitors?
Taylor Wauhob:Effectively, we all the time attempt to guarantee that we’ve acquired one thing for our visitors who are available they usually simply wanna be capable of unwind right here and never need to step out. As a lot as we love Delray, we additionally need them to be comfy simply on property. So we do have a very nice small menu, but it surely caters to just a little little bit of all the pieces. We’ve acquired some good hen caesar salads, some sandwich choices, flatbreads, wings, you understand, all of the requirements. And a few of these objects can be found 24/7, so if you happen to’re coming in off a late flight, we’ve nonetheless acquired you lined. After which we’ve acquired our seize and go market, which has some nice choices as nicely. Contemporary pressed juices and sandwiches and issues like that. However exterior of the property, there’s actually too many choices to depend. However a few of my favorites, we’ve acquired Geronimo’s that simply opened up. It’s a brand new tequila grilling bar, a ravishing patio and superior spot to hang around. We’ve acquired Gabriela’s, which is an incredible fashionable Italian restaurant. After which proper subsequent to that’s Hyde Park Steakhouse, which is just a little bit extra elevated. They’ve acquired a stay piano participant within the night generally. It’s a very cool surroundings.
Ryan Embree:Oh, superior. And once more, simply steps away from the properties location, which makes it very nice. Native occasions, clearly huge occupancy drivers for the resort as nicely. What are a few of these larger attracts that get your visitors and vacationers right here? After which possibly a few of these occasions, native occasions that you simply may not find out about these secret finds?
Taylor Wauhob:Completely. So our greatest one among course, is gonna be the Delray Seaside Tennis Open. Occurs for 2 weeks each February. We’re the premier location for that. We’re the closest in strolling distance. Only a block away from right here and even if you happen to don’t like tennis or don’t know something about it, as I don’t, it’s so a lot enjoyable to attend these occasions. This previous yr, this metropolis of Delray truly began a window adorning contest. So all the native companies take part, and we arrange these enormous window shows. We didn’t win this yr. We’ve acquired just a little chip on our shoulder about it, so we’re coming again sturdy subsequent yr. However it’s actually enjoyable for everybody to take part and vote.
Ryan Embree:Superior. And any type of smaller native occasions that individuals may not find out about?
Taylor Wauhob:Yeah, completely. Once more, we’re one of the best location for that too. Proper throughout the road from us is the Arts Storage and Outdated College Sq.. So the Arts Storage is a very cool venue that gives comedy reveals, stay musicians, performs every kind of various performances. It’s a very intimate venue that gives, you understand, drinks. So you possibly can hang around for just a little bit earlier than and after. After which Outdated College Sq. has an outside amphitheater, after which that massive garden. One in every of my favorites is throughout Christmas time, they arrange the 120 foot Christmas tree. And inside it’s Santa’s workshop, so it’s actually enjoyable for everyone to hang around and take footage. It’s a great occasion.
Ryan Embree:That’s superior. Individuals taking footage, clearly sharing plenty of that on social media. You and your workforce achieved an amazing job on Fb, Instagram, be sure you comply with the Hyatt Place, Delray Seaside there, social media presence. We discuss it on a regular basis on this explicit podcast about how vital it’s. Why do you suppose as a hotelier, who has managed a number of inns. Why do you suppose it’s vital for hoteliers to have a powerful social media presence in the present day? And the way are visitors type of utilizing this native space in their very own social media feeds and possibly even the property?
Taylor Wauhob:Yeah, completely. Effectively, it’s no secret that the brand new technology of vacationers is trying extra at issues like social media, they usually care extra about that. And with issues the best way they’re in the present day, all the pieces’s so costly. If persons are gonna take the time to spend money on touring, they’re now not on the lookout for only a resort to remain at. After which to get out and expertise town. They need each side of their keep to be a part of the expertise. And so I feel that’s the place Instagram and all of social media turns into so vital. They wanna see is the property gonna present some type of distinctive expertise whereas I’m there within the evenings? And for our property particularly, I imply, it’s really easy to make it look good on social media. It’s simply actually lovely property. And so it’s achieved an amazing job of highlighting all the issues that individuals can do. Even once they’re not in Delray, they’ll seize a drink at our bar and hand around in all of those actually lovely areas and profit from it. We’ve acquired an amazing second flooring outside pool that has a very resort vibe to it. And so I feel our visitors see that. And a latest instance, we had some women keep right here truly, they usually put collectively a very cute video of them going by means of the resort and unpacking and, after which their time all through Delray. And it was cool to see them spotlight and tag us in in that love
Ryan Embree:That, I imply, that’s each marketer’s dream, proper? They’re telling your story for you. For hoteliers that aren’t on that platform or aren’t type of social listening, so to talk, they miss out on that chance. So it’s so vital. And since once more, your visitors, when you have got a property like this, your visitors are participating with you they usually could be doing an amazing job of telling your story. And different vacationers need to hear visitor experiences too. You understand, in fact we like to take our footage of our properties that look one of the best it’s ever regarded proper and our nicest meals. However that actual genuine, I do know that’s a time period we throw round rather a lot, however to get that actual world genuine expertise,
Taylor Wauhob:They usually’re all the time gonna see it in a different way than we see it.
Ryan Embree:100%.
Taylor Wauhob:So, you understand, my favourite a part of the resort may not be what the visitors are loving probably the most. So it’s actually cool to see what they’re experiencing and loving about our property.
Ryan Embree:And that studying can translate to different issues, proper. You begin to see that there’s a specific space of the resort being showcased rather a lot on social media. Perhaps you add one thing there. Perhaps there’s a programming or a component that you simply add there to even amplify that much more. So I’ve heard some unbelievable tales. That was an amazing instance that you simply had there. I noticed in your Instagram not too long ago that the properties Instagram not too long ago, I wanna get this proper, that you simply guys acquired the Hyatt 2025 Business Group of the Yr Necessities Awards. Congratulations to you and your workforce.
Taylor Wauhob:Thanks a lot.
Ryan Embree:Discuss to us just a little bit about that award and what it means to you as normal supervisor.
Taylor Wauhob:Oh gosh. Coming off of a renovation yr. It means a lot to get that award. I imply, this workforce simply, went by means of rather a lot with the renovation. It’s extremely tough. So renovation was 2024. We acquired this award for the 2025 yr, which our first yr outta renovation coming outta that reno, the market didn’t know who we have been. We have been basically a model new property. We didn’t know who we have been or how we wished to ascertain ourselves. So we actually needed to come collectively as a workforce and determine what will we wanna be on this market? And so we put in quite a lot of effort to guarantee that we have been the friendliest resort out there. So, you possibly can keep wherever. You’ll be able to pay for a clear room, you possibly can choose any resort inside strolling distance of this space. However what units us aside is our workforce and the trouble that they put in. So to type of rebuild our repute, earn again the market share that we had misplaced throughout renovation, and show to the market as soon as once more that we’re a premier vacation spot to obtain this ward was simply displaying us that every one of our efforts didn’t go unseen. So it was actually nice to have the ability to have fun what that meant with the workforce and really feel like we earned it.
Ryan Embree:It’s wonderful. And proven by means of your management with the retention of the staff too, to see by means of that, clearly difficult time, however to be on the opposite facet of it after which to reap the rewards of that award. So congratulations on that. However to talk to your level, and I feel, you understand, it’s an amazing lesson for hoteliers to type of discover that north star and embody of who you might be. And even when it’s to the element of we need to be the friendliest, which may not be an award essentially that you simply’re, that you simply’re profitable, in a market like Friendliest Lodge. However if you happen to get buy-in out of your workforce on that may actually, once more, act as type of a compass or North Star.
Taylor Wauhob:Completely. I imply, I can’t be right here day by day. I can’t work together with each single visitor. So realizing that my workforce is finishing up that imaginative and prescient, and nonetheless shifting ahead in that course, even after I’m not right here, it simply, it makes a world of distinction they usually actually earned it.
Ryan Embree:So cool to see. So we all the time prefer to wrap up with a couple of enjoyable, like fast fireplace questions. So get to get to know you, get to know the property location just a little bit higher. So that you talked about it. Favourite view on the property?
Taylor Wauhob:Oh, favourite view. Room 413.
Ryan Embree:Okay, we acquired the room. The primary room quantity that I’ve heard on this query.
Taylor Wauhob:It’s acquired lovely flooring to ceiling home windows in a curved wall in the lounge that appears out, out in all of downtown Delray Seaside. And you’ll see lovely sunrises from that room. It’s wonderful. Nice for bridal events.
Ryan Embree:I prefer it. 413, do not forget that. It’s just a little tip, however a word. Favourite signature drink or dish, both at an area spot or right here on the property?
Taylor Wauhob:Okay, nicely I’ve acquired two then. So if you happen to’re on property proper now, we’ve acquired our spring assortment. Cocktails and mocktails. My favourite proper now’s the lavender lush mocktail. It’s truly nice. Actually refreshing. After which Rocka Hula is a brand new restaurant on the town. They’ve the best customized cocktails. I imply, shock and Instagramable. That is the place to go. It’s actually nice.
Ryan Embree:Okay. We’ll need to verify that out. Favourite piece of artwork or design? On the property or round Delray Seaside?
Taylor Wauhob:I might say our elevator touchdown. We’ve acquired a very cool octopus mural. It’s lovely. All people likes to take footage proper there. It’s my favourite.
Ryan Embree:See, that’s a kind of locations you would see on Instagram. Most likely. Favourite enjoyable reality concerning the property. I all the time like asking this query ’trigger there’s simply a lot. I all the time get some actually distinctive solutions that if you happen to by no means ask you’ll by no means discover out.
Taylor Wauhob:Yeah, yeah, completely. So all people thinks the massive draw for Delray is Atlantic Avenue, which is one among them. However we’re additionally positioned proper right here on Pineapple Grove. Which is a historic arts district, however again within the 1900’s it truly was once Pineapple Farms. And it was second solely to Hawaii in manufacturing. And so now it’s well-known for that. There’s an indication on each ends that claims Pineapple Grove.
Ryan Embree:I noticed that.
Taylor Wauhob:Yeah. Yeah. There’s all of the lights on the streets, so it’s actually lovely.
Ryan Embree:Very cool. Okay. See the enjoyable reality studying stuff. In order we wrap up in the present day, you understand, I ask you as normal supervisor, newly renovated property, simply acquired that award. You spoke just a little bit about to it, however what, what’s the lasting impression as folks kinda stroll out by means of this foyer that you simply hope to impart on departing visitors and what they keep in mind about their expertise right here?
Taylor Wauhob:I feel it coincides very well with Delray Seaside. Individuals come to Delray, who’ve by no means been right here earlier than, they usually’re very shocked by it as a result of, you understand what to anticipate from Fort Lauderdale or West Palm, however you come right here and it’s acquired all the nightlife and exercise that you’d need from an enormous metropolis whereas nonetheless having this actually small city allure to it they usually name it The Village by the Sea, and it actually lives as much as that. So I like that visitors depart Delray feeling pleasantly shocked they usually really feel the identical manner from our property as nicely. And that’s all the time my purpose no less than. However they actually are available anticipating an ordinary Hyatt place. Tons of individuals have stayed at a Hyatt place. However we’re very totally different than that. And so folks present up they usually’re excited at one thing new after which they get that very same expertise from Delray they usually stroll away simply feeling like they acquired a lot greater than they ever anticipated. In order that’s all the time our purpose to impart on our visitors once they depart.
Ryan Embree:Superior. Effectively, actually recognize you internet hosting us. You’ve acquired a ravishing property. Thanks. Unimaginable location. You understand, once more, you and your workforce are are knocking it out of the park right here.
Taylor Wauhob:Thanks.
Ryan Embree:We hope to be again quickly. Thanks a lot, Taylor for taking a while with us.
Taylor Wauhob:Completely. We’d like to have you ever once more for just a little trip.
Ryan Embree:All proper. Recognize it. Thanks. Thanks for becoming a member of us on the Suite Spot. To hitch our loyalty program. You’ll want to subscribe and provides us a 5 star score on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Journey Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with Cowl Artwork by Bary Gordon. I’m your host Ryan Embree, and we hope you loved your keep.
