Being that the 2026 Unbiased Resort Present Miami is barely a few months away, this particular IHS Sequence episode options the VP of Improvement, U.S. & Canada at Minor Lodges, Genna Panagopoulos!
Genna joins the Suite Spot podcast to debate:
The Minor Lodges Model & Particular Bulletins
The Unbiased & Life-style Resort Panorama
The 2026 Unbiased Resort Present
Creating Distinctive Experiences for Vacationers
And way more.
Ryan Embree:Welcome to Suite Spot, the place hoteliers examine in, and we try what’s trending in resort advertising and marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Whats up everybody, and welcome to a different episode of The Suite Spot. That is your host, Ryan Embree. We’re right here for the second season of our Unbiased Resort Present sequence. Which means we’re gearing up, in case you can consider it, for the Unbiased Resort Present right here in September and Miami Seashore. I’m so excited and equally excited to usher in a well-known voice. We had her on the podcast only a couple months in the past in New York Metropolis, Genna Panagopoulos, VP of Improvement North America at Minor Lodges. Genna, welcome again to the Suite Spot.
Genna Panagopoulos:Hey, thanks for having me once more.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, excited to have you ever. We have been speaking off digital camera. Usually, I normally do the digital interview earlier than assembly you in particular person, so this can be a little bit extra snug right here, nearly again in, in, I believe you’re in Atlanta. I’m right here in our TMG headquarters in Orlando, however second time on the Suite Spot. We actually didn’t get to get into your hospitality background, type of a convention right here. Wanna introduce you to our viewers a little bit bit extra, intimately and in depth. Discuss to us a little bit bit about your background in hospitality and the journey that led you to Minor Lodges.
Genna Panagopoulos:Properly, it begins a very long time in the past as a result of I grew up within the hospitality business. Typical greek immigrant story. My father got here right here with just some {dollars} in his pocket and ended up constructing a fairly profitable restaurant enterprise in Detroit. So in case you ever are in Detroit, in case you say Jimmy, the Greek individuals will know him. However I went to, I clearly grew up in Michigan, went to Michigan State, actually, and began finding out hospitality with the intent of taking up the restaurant enterprise. After which I did an internship for my father and realized I didn’t like it as a lot as he did. And so I ended up falling into the resort area and particularly resort funding, actual property growth, and have simply fallen in love ever since I began my profession at Davidson Lodges and Resorts again once they have been in Memphis, really on their enterprise growth staff. After which they moved to Atlanta, mockingly, subsequent to IHGs headquarters. So I used to be with Davidson for a number of years, hopped in over to IHG, the place I used to be for 10 years, did every part from feasibility to enterprise growth to even model, which is a little bit bit distinctive. And I don’t wanna undermine that as a result of I had lots of people say on the time, why would a developer ever go to model? Like, that’s, you’re the place you wanna be. However for me, it was so crucial to type of unlocking new alternatives sooner or later as a result of the talents I gained in a 12 months and a half on the staff work simply the function that I’m in now could be tremendous useful as a result of it’s, it’s type of like carrying two completely different hats, proper? A artistic versus a mathematician. So in any case, I used to be there at IHD for 10 years, after which this chance at Minor got here up final summer season. I used to be so prepared and excited to tackle like a brand new problem and I believed that it’d be a very enjoyable and thrilling new endeavor for me with this mixture of my background. So, it’s thrilling. Minor’s been tremendous supportive and it’s a little bit bizarre to go from working in an workplace with hundreds of colleagues to being the one in all one in a whole continent, but it surely’s been nice to this point.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. And what a singular alternative. We’re gonna discuss that right here in a second as a result of I believe it’s completely fascinating. However your story could be very acquainted. I imply that we hear on a regular basis from our company, a whole lot of them begin in that f&b type of area after which transition over to the hospitality facet, however tremendous complete skillset, which I’m certain has set you up for achievement in your function at Minor Lodges. Now, we met nose to nose at NYU IHIF, the place only a couple weeks eliminated. I name this type of takeaway season the place all people’s on LinkedIn, type of frantically typing their takeaways and what they felt concerning the state of the business proper now, what we’re wanting again on New York Metropolis, possibly you might begin type of zoomed in model of how that occasion for you after which possibly again up with an business lens on a few of the greatest takeaways out of your time at New York Metropolis.
Genna Panagopoulos:So from a Minor perspective, we had a very profitable convention. So we had tons of conferences whereas we have been there. Actually good ones too, on some offers that have been hopefully perpetuating. After which we’ll be asserting possibly by the Unbiased Boutique Resort Present, but it surely was, the vitality was very stay, the thrill for Minor Lodges, was very visceral individuals, I believe, you understand, hoteliers are actually on the lookout for manufacturers that perceive their place. And since Minor is, you understand, I all the time describe it as an proprietor first, then an operator, now a model, proper? And we nonetheless personal an proprietor lease a overwhelming majority of our portfolio. So we all know what it’s prefer to be of their sneakers, fairly actually. So it was a profitable, like I mentioned, the vitality was there. It’s very validating to know that a whole lot of our advertising and marketing is working and the entire, the phrase of mouth and the truth that we’re on the market, iI’m having to teach individuals much less and fewer with each convention about who we’re. In order that’s nice. Zooming out on an business lens, you understand, I believe, you understand, even simply taking a look at starting of the 12 months to NYU IHIF, this sentiment could be very completely different, proper? You realize, originally of the 12 months there was a lot pleasure over the World Cup. You and I spoke about that at NYU and it’s, it’s clearly been tempered fairly a bit, and the Okay financial system remains to be taking place. We’re seeing luxurious, the charges of the tasks that I’m engaged on, I’m simply shocked at how excessive they’re and, how effectively the opponents are doing within the higher luxurious area. It’s actually fascinating. So I’m positively seeing that as effectively. However the sentiment, and urge for food to develop is unquestionably there. Persons are nonetheless trying to place fairness, not ton, not big quantities, however we’re, we’re seeing that there are nonetheless gaps on that entrance.
Ryan Embree:The resiliency of our business, I believe, continues, proper? It simply, the momentum there, each single time we see a headwind, we proceed to push by way of, which is basically, actually cool to see that proprietor. And, and from a growth, I imply, new manufacturers, new tasks being introduced, that is the area that we’d like to see, you understand, an increasing number of as a result of there’s an increasing number of demand rising vacationers proceed to prioritize journey and the expertise financial system, which is nice for us hoteliers. So we simply want some extra rooms right here, which is clearly what you’re tasked with, proper, Jenna? So, however I wanna discuss Minor Lodges. I do know you talked about needing rather less schooling now, however educate us right here on the Suite Spot. I imply, Minor Lodges, model spanning from choose service all the way in which as much as that extremely luxurious phase ton of manufacturers. They don’t have time for all of them at present, however possibly you might share a few of your private favorites and inside the resort, Minor Lodges portfolio, what makes these manufacturers distinctive?
Genna Panagopoulos:Yeah, certain. So yeah, such as you mentioned, we now have 12 completely different manufacturers, 4 of which have been launched final 12 months proper earlier than I joined the corporate. However we have now these two lineages, I believe inside Minor Lodges historical past, proper? We now have our roots, which come from Thailand, and Anantara and Avani are nice examples of that. After which we have now our European roots from acquisitions through the years. So we’ve obtained manufacturers like…that got here from Portugal, NH, which is a really established model out of Madrid. The 4 that we launched final 12 months, provide actually distinctive issues that we by no means had earlier than in our portfolio. In order we have been trying to develop, we knew that that was one thing we’d must must type of have on our menu of choices for potential motels, as a result of a few of these manufacturers don’t work in each asset kind and never each market, although most of our manufacturers have a whole lot of flexibility to have the ability to develop into completely different asset varieties. However I suppose my favourite, and I’m actually excited concerning the Wolseley resort model we launched final 12 months. So Minor Worldwide owns, which after all, Banner Lodges Resorts is part of, owns Wolseley Hospitality Group out of London. And there’s a very stunning institutional restaurant known as the Wolseley that’s very well-known. Should you ask anyone from London, they positively know the Wolseley. In truth, most individuals I do know that simply traveled to London know the Wolseley. So we personal, we personal that firm and determined to take that model into the resort area, which is attention-grabbing as a result of it’s a restaurant transferring into the resort world. And our first one will open in New York subsequent 12 months, but it surely’s been actually quick. I believe it’s actually fascinating. There’s a whole lot of membership membership alternatives with that one. And in order that’s type of an new development we’re beginning to see within the luxurious area.
Ryan Embree:It’s gotta be nice to have the ability to have that breadth and spectrum of property or funding kind for an proprietor to return in and say, that is possibly the market that I’m interested by pursuing, after which determining and type of curating and tailoring what asset, what model is gonna match finest there. And we talked about this a little bit at NYU, however I believe, once more, your job is so fascinating. You could have this well-established, extraordinarily in style worldwide model, and right here you’re tasked with bringing it into the North American market, proper? I’m certain there’s a whole lot of envious builders on the market, what has been type of, and actually you solely get to launch a model like this into a brand new market solely as soon as. So what has been type of your method, Jen? I’d like to get type of the background on what’s been your method and what sort of suggestions you’ve been initially listening to. Have homeowners been type of ready for this, you understand, to reach right here and, and what are you listening to from homeowners proper now?
Genna Panagopoulos:It’s a story of two tales as they are saying, proper? So within the luxurious area, there’s a lot pleasure. We’re very established, individuals in that area know us, and wanna be the primary to assist us develop right here. In order that’s the place we’ve seen the overwhelming majority of our curiosity. Now, once you shift to taking a look at a few of the higher upscale by way of the choose service manufacturers that we now additionally provide franchise, which I don’t know the stat off the highest of my head, however it’s a giant element of these properties, these segments are operated by third events and franchised. So being that we’re newer into that area, that’s the place the problem has been. So, however yeah, when it comes to the toughest factor and I’ve to deal with day-after-day is the place do I spend my time? As a result of there’s always offers coming my approach. We now have to, we have now to be fairly strategic and conscious about what has probably the most probability of being one of the best illustration of our model in our goal markets. So early on, after I began, I believe the primary 4 weeks of me taking the function, I had developed a fairly cohesive growth technique of the place we needed to spend that point. And the place that’s actually any of the highest, let’s name it 20 markets within the US which have worldwide demand. So we have now prime markets that don’t have as a lot worldwide demand, and we’ll take a look at these, however we simply assume that our price is gonna come from driving worldwide enterprise into these motels. After which completely reverse from that, with Anantara, our, you understand, wellness, higher luxurious experiential model. We’re actually enthusiastic about discovering offers in type of all over the place else apart from these city markets, proper? So arduous to get to locations. Final week I used to be driving by way of Utah and Colorado, six hours in between every of them. So simply to offer you a little bit taste, we have been taking a look at a pair completely different alternatives in these states. You realize, Hudson Valley is someplace we wanna be Montana, Wyoming. So, you understand, it’s a little bit bifurcated our method to our varied manufacturers. However we’re making an attempt to be very diligent and strategic about it. So we don’t get distracted by issues that aren’t going to assist us develop right here. As a result of as soon as we have now good examples, we actually consider the primary few must be actually good. As soon as we have now these, we’ll have the ability to drive additional, additional progress at a extra fast tempo.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, no, completely. And what you have been speaking about how finest to spend your time, I believe that’s a, a problem that hoteliers have had for the reason that daybreak of this business. Nevertheless it’s very thrilling and really cool to listen to these completely different approaches as a result of, you understand, you might have the privilege of getting that background, of getting that historical past and, and tradition already constructed over an in one other market, bringing that right here. However you even have the thrilling new taste of offering one thing new, possibly in some, some very experiential markets proper now, which experiential journey is simply completely exploding one other traveler development proper now. And you have already got some a number of success tales we touched on at NYU. Let’s dive a little bit deeper into a few of these tasks, Genna.
Genna Panagopoulos:Yeah, so we’ve obtained, I suppose our subsequent one which I’ve already kinda spilled the beans on it, however the releases are already on the market, however the first Wolseley on the earth will likely be opening subsequent 12 months in New York within the former Lambs Membership property. And I believe it’s simply such a incredible market to open the primary Wolseley resort. You realize, theoretically it may have been in London and hopefully we do have one in London quickly, but it surely’s a really particular cherished model and it’s not the one factor I additionally simply wanna spend a second on, regardless that it’s luxurious and it’s this very quintessential British type of formal service fashion, it’s egalitarian at its roots, it’s actually meant for everyone. So you might stroll into the, into the Wolseley in London and see celebrities subsequent to politicians and also you’re Joe Schmo strolling in off the road, you don’t want a reservation. And so I believe it’s a very stunning evolution of the, of the historical past of that model. And I’m so excited for it to land in New York.
Ryan Embree:So we are able to announce proper now in 2027. The Suite Spot will likely be on web site. We are able to do good little episode up there hopefully.
Genna Panagopoulos:Subsequent, subsequent convention in New York. We’ll have the ability to do it there.
Ryan Embree:Alright.
Genna Panagopoulos:Sure. After which a little bit, really, I suppose the subsequent one which’ll open in 2029 is Anantara Turks and Caicos, which is a 100% residential resort, actually, actually stunning resort heavy wellness, you’ll discover with Anantara. We actually lean into the wellness, longevity area. And so, we pleasure ourselves on all the time being on the forefront of the newest wellness, the course wellness goes. And so longevity, for instance, proper now is essential to us. And we’re seeing that bleed into the residential area. So, you understand, simply the way in which that’s getting threaded into the residential expertise, into the resort visitor experiences could be very fascinating to observe. After which in 2030, we’ll even have one other Anantara in Miami, very near design district. It’s type of on the epicenter of the place design district, Edgewater and Midtown all meet the views from the resort will likely be unimaginable. There’ll be a helipad, a 30,000 sq. foot spa. After which a mixture of resort rooms, residences that individuals are residing in, after which additionally residences that may get rented out to resort company as effectively. So we’re tremendous excited, I believe, you understand, having these three motels in these three markets, proper? We’ve coated New York the place we have already got a resort, by the way in which, the NH assortment, Madison Avenue, we’ve had there for a number of years, which we really personal. After which, you understand, Miami, which is a key market, clearly very heavy worldwide demand, however simply in case you needed to inform me to choose one plate, one city market to place it an Anantara, that might be it. After which Turks and Caicos is such a vital marketplace for U.S. leisure journey. So these couldn’t have been higher, higher markets for us to be coming into and launching area.
Ryan Embree:Congratulations. What a powerful pipeline and actually cool tasks you’re engaged on, excited to type of see these and the bulletins as they begin to roll in and the images, these views that you simply’re speaking about. However I believe, you understand, the Turks and Caicos property is one thing we’ve been speaking about on the podcast. That CALA area can be booming proper now. So, you understand, it’s not simply, I believe generally once we say, you understand, clearly bringing into the North American market, we are likely to go a little bit bit extra home, however to develop that into CALA I believe is gonna be completely crucial. ’trigger you’re proper, a lot of that US home journey is now spending, you understand, money and time in these areas, and looking out a little bit bit extra in direction of that for his or her experiences. So thrilling throughout. And naturally we love, you understand, we’re based mostly right here in Florida, so we’d love a brand new challenge. We’ll, we’ll positively be keeping track of that Miami challenge that you’ve got. However that is talking of Miami, that is our unbiased resort present sequence. Discuss to us, you understand, why you’re feeling a few of the Minor Resort manufacturers match inside this unbiased and life-style class. And what benefits do you see unbiased motels and even experiential manufacturers and life-style manufacturers have in at present’s hospitality panorama?
Genna Panagopoulos:I’ll reply that final query first. Should you don’t have that experiential, that’s desk stakes at present. So, we’re, I consider we’re solely gonna see that turn out to be an increasing number of vital because the years go on. As a result of in case you take a look at the buyer knowledge of what the youthful demographic, the place they’re spending their cash, it’s not experiences. It’s not, it’s now not on items. So having these actually cool, distinctive experiences that they will journey and and obtain is gonna be crucial when it comes to what we have now to supply for unbiased hoteliers, have in mind that is our roots, proper? We began our, our firm was based by Invoice Heineke, who, enjoyable reality, and I can’t bear in mind if I’ve already advised you this, however the purpose we’re known as Minor is that he went to go begin his enterprise at a really younger age of 17. And when he was getting his his enterprise license, they mentioned, sorry, however you want an grownup to signal with you ’trigger you’re a minor. So he’s actually a type of serial entrepreneurs, depraved sensible, depraved nice at launching companies, however he was an unbiased hotelier. That’s how he obtained his begin. So he’s nonetheless driving a whole lot of the imaginative and prescient of the corporate. And I may let you know coming from a bigger model firm into this atmosphere, it’s extremely entrepreneurial. And since we additionally personal motels, but in addition function for lots of our homeowners, we actually consider we have now this, like this hotelier mindset. We’re extra of an operator than we’re a model at this second. And so I believe that would assist lend itself to unbiased homeowners who’re on the lookout for a little bit little bit of help. And we’re right here to lean in as a lot as they need and as little as they need, however there’s advantages to it, proper? We will help save on OTA prices, we will help save on buying. We’ve obtained nice expertise to assist with forecasting and income administration and and so forth. So there’s positively locations to faucet in. And I believe notably now greater than ever with our two assortment manufacturers that we launched final 12 months, so I began telling you this, however I didn’t end telling you the manufacturers that we launched, however two of them that we launched final 12 months are collections. One is minor reserve assortment, which is within the luxurious area. After which Colbert assortment, which is extra higher upscale, possibly entry luxurious. And people are simply such, they’re primed for unbiased motels, proper? That’s why they have been launched. To have the ability to maintain the heritage and the identify of an unbiased resort play off of it, however then get all of the again help, all of the issues behind the scenes that buyers will actually by no means see, but it surely’ll assist make operations way more environment friendly and easy. And so we predict that’s the place there’s a whole lot of alternative and we’re, you understand, we’re priding ourselves on that. We’re right here to be a companion and never a model that’s telling it’s a must to do it this manner. In order that’s the place we’re actually considering that is the chance for us in that area.
Ryan Embree:Properly, it says, it says lots that, to have two assortment manufacturers devoted to that area actually exhibits the funding in the way forward for these type of independently run or branded properties and see the chance there as a result of once more, wanting, you talked about the lens and examine challenges about unbiased hotelier and model could be very completely different from these large manufacturers which have the size to type of fight these challenges a little bit bit extra effectively. So, you understand, unbiased motels, we all the time discuss on this sequence particularly are on the lookout for any edge or alternative to distinguish themselves to the traveler as a result of they’re actually first in line to current a one in all a form expertise. If you consider it, a type of locations is f&b, a development that clearly Minor Lodges has taken and ran with, particularly with changing a f&b model to hospitality model. How have you ever leveraged the f&b theme with potential homeowners and once you’re having these conversations with traders, as you look to convey Minor Lodges to North America?
Genna Panagopoulos:Yeah, so, effectively first we have now a, after I was doing my onboarding in Madrid and Amsterdam, I toured our Anantara in Amsterdam and so they had simply, possibly they, a pair months earlier than they’d simply concluded a chef sequence the place they introduced I consider 20 or 30 Michelin rated cooks below their roof and had a meals pageant, which I had by no means seen that. Like how superb to convey. I didn’t know that, that that many Michelin cooks can be facet by facet cooking for one another, proper? Nevertheless it’s a very particular factor. And I believe that exhibits you that Minor could be very credible on this tremendous experiential excessive finish f&b area separate to that. And so we have now the expertise in-house. Separate from that, once you take a look at our manufacturers and the way in which our Colbert model, for instance, our Colbert, I don’t even wanna name it a model ’trigger it’s a group. It’s not likely a model the way in which we thread meals and beverage into the visitor expertise, proper? So every resort is totally distinctive inside the assortment. We don’t need any two to essentially look alike, to be trustworthy with you. However as a part of the one ritual you could, you could rely on as a visitor at each Colbert is a meals and beverage pushed expertise. So whether or not that’s a bespoke cocktail that’s blended for you, proper as you enter the door, or possibly, after you’ve checked in and also you’re in your room, a bell cart is a meals and beverage bell cart of kinds is delivering a particular expertise to your door one thing that ties again to the identification that the resort has, however could be very curated and particular, proper? Not one thing that’s like a right here’s the, the chocolate chip cookies we made at present. No. Proper? We would like one thing actually stunning, considerate, artistic, and that exhibits the craft in it that both ties to the expertise or the identification of the resort. So I believe that’s actually vital and people little issues go a really good distance.
Ryan Embree:100%. And people are the little issues that add up within the unbiased hoteliers world that may, you may have the sting, proper? And I imply there’s an entire now area with meals tourism. I imply, it’s obtained a reputation for it now. That’s how giant this development is. And hoteliers are taking a look at F&B very, very in another way than they did 5, 10 years in the past. It was a primary a spot the place they began to look and say, the place can we lower prices? The place can we make efficiencies? Now the manufacturers that I believe are doing it proper are leaning into it. They’re seeing it as part of their visitor expertise and likewise an enormous alternative for his or her native markets too. I believe individuals, you understand, in domestically have checked out by way of a distinct lens at what a resort F&B expertise could be. And when somebody involves city, they may not be going to that restaurant. They is likely to be going to a resort or a resort, and it having that have there. So very to see, proper.
Genna Panagopoulos:It’s, I don’t imply to interrupt you. However I simply wanna say, I used to be not too long ago having the dialog as a result of after I began within the business, we might joke, you might, you might like blow a cannon by way of a resort restaurant. No one needed to go to a resort restaurant. Again within the day, they have been cool. And it was like, oh, I’m staying at this resort, meet me on the restaurant. However for some time, you didn’t wanna go to a resort restaurant. It was vanilla, it was boring, it had no identification. It was simply an extension. It was only a restaurant inside a resort. Now it’s such an vital driver of bringing individuals to that resort, whether or not native or visiting from out of city. And so there’s such a chance. I simply, I look again on the time that these resort eating places weren’t enticing. And now I’m like, no, it’s such an exquisite element to an expertise and I’ve seen actually superb vacation spot motels which might be operated by the operators, however have a very distinctive identification that’s very robust and appropriate with the resort, however not homogenous with the resort.
Ryan Embree:Completely. It’s very, very cool to see that evolution. And I believe it’s solely, once more, because the development continues to develop, I believe it’s solely gonna get stronger. You’re gonna see extra emphasis on that f&b expertise. And I personally can’t wait. As a result of I like these kinds of experiences to type of see that evolve. And we’re gonna study a little bit bit about possibly a few of your favourite f&b experiences inside the portfolio right here. So let’s do my favourite a part of the episode. Some speedy hearth to get to know you Genna and the Minor Resort portfolio a little bit bit higher. Let’s begin with one in all your, you talked about possibly future favourite views at your property, however proper now what is likely one of the favourite views at your properties within the portfolio?
Genna Panagopoulos:I do know you’re making an attempt to do speedy hearth, however after all I’ll simply story inform a little bit bit.
Ryan Embree: No, under no circumstances. Please.
Genna Panagopoulos:The Avani in Amsterdam, I had the chance throughout my onboarding with Minor to go to Amsterdam for a number of days. As a result of we have now a ton of motels in Amsterdam. And I obtained to remain there and I awoke, I believe it was a Sunday morning, and I had one of many higher degree rooms and ground to ceiling home windows. And I simply, I watched town get up. It was so cool to see the dawn from my room, but in addition the canals have been coming to life. Individuals have been in boats and I had this cup of espresso and so they had an incredible lounge right here. And it’s not, it’s not a elaborate resort, proper? It’s an approachable life-style of resort. Nevertheless it was actually, it was so stunning. I had this like Minor Journal I used to be studying and I learn the total factor. It was so pretty. And I’m really taking my daughter there in a number of, in two weeks, as a result of I liked it a lot.
Ryan Embree:Very cool. Yeah. And she or he’ll get to have that view of the, the property as effectively. What about favourite reality? A enjoyable reality about one of many properties?
Genna Panagopoulos:Okay, so one in all our new Colbert collections, that I consider is open now in Florence. It’s known as Port Rosa, which it interprets to Pink Door. And it’s really one of many oldest, it may need been the primary resort really in Italy and one of many first motels in Europe. So it’s simply so humorous ’trigger right here we name our historic motels 200 years outdated. And, and right here we have now like an 800 12 months outdated resort. So I believe that’s, I don’t assume I may prime that.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, that places it in perspective. Favourite signature dish? We talked about f&b experiences at one of many properties.
Genna Panagopoulos:So I do know I’m speaking lots about Amsterdam, however that was, it clearly left an impression on me, however on the Tivoli, which is one in all our entry luxurious manufacturers, very effectively established in Europe, they actually pleasure themselves on meals and wine. And so culinary is a big element of that have. So I get to eat on the restaurant within the Tivoli known as Ombre. And so they actually attempt to weave in creativity and artwork into the general expertise. And they also took it, they took inspiration from Rembrandt, and so Ombre is likely one of the 12 colours of Rembrandt’s palette. And they also, they’d an exquisite approach of weaving that into the meals, the colour of the meals, the colour of the menu, the names of the menu objects. And it was only a stunning, and you might watch the chef end the meals proper on the entrance. And it was simply, it was outstanding. It’s additionally on the canal. It was a night candle lit room. It was stunning.
Ryan Embree:I imply the advertising and marketing staff for a few of these properties I’m certain has no scarcity of content material and storytelling. I imply, that is each resort marketer’s dream. What about favourite visitor expertise or facilities at one in all your properties?
Genna Panagopoulos:That’s a superb query. The, additionally within the Avani in Madrid, so, after I had wrapped up, I had skilled in Madrid. I went to Amsterdam for a weekend, got here again to Madrid to type of give all people my 2 cents of how the challenge or how the onboarding went. And I used to be solely there for one or two nights. I used to be so drained. I had been gone for like two weeks. I missed my children. However I got here again and the Avani in Madrid as my welcome metropolis had a smoothie arrange. And I had by no means seen this, and I don’t even know if I’ll ever see this once more, however they’d a little bit, a little bit tiny, I believe it’s known as like a bullet blender, proper? That I may mix in my room. That they had probably the most stunning, I don’t even know what fruit it was, but it surely was candy. It was scrumptious. That they had a wide range of milks subsequent to it that I may combine with the fruit, after which after all a little bit ice bucket and a few honey. And it was simply every part that I wanted. I used to be so drained from being on the highway and to return again and have this actually like, cool, wholesome, nutritious, it was so, it was like they have been studying my thoughts of what I wanted. And I’ve by no means been in a whole lot of superb motels. And once more, Avani shouldn’t be a luxurious model, however they completely nailed it. After which about an hour later after it, ’trigger I had checked in pretty late within the day, they confirmed up at my door with this stunning wind down tea arrange, and it was, you understand, tea could be hit and miss. Yeah, it was so superbly floral and scrumptious. And I’m not even a tea drinker. And I liked each second of it. And so they had probably the most excellent cookie to go with.
Ryan Embree:It’s good by the way in which, that smoothie, as a result of it makes you part of the method. It makes you’re feeling part of the expertise. I’m certain a ton of individuals are sharing that on social media. They’re speaking about it. I imply, how straightforward may it have been to only ship a smoothie, however so that you can type of be part of that have, I believe makes it a little bit bit extra particular. Very, very cool. I’ve by no means heard that both. Very cool. After which the final however not least, favourite piece of art work at one in all your properties?
Genna Panagopoulos:Thats a troublesome one. Coming again to the truth that we have now an NH resort in Amsterdam known as the Schiller, with tons of genuine Danish art work. However I’ve additionally heard that the Tivoli Puerto Gaia has a whole lot of outstanding items. In truth, they’ve over 70 items of genuine artwork. One among my favourite artists is a Spanish artist…and his works are there. So I haven’t seen it in actual life, however that’s on my bucket checklist.
Ryan Embree:Properly, I’ll let you know, this was most likely probably the most internationally pleasant speedy hearth that we’ve had right here. When asking these questions. You took us to Madrid, Amsterdam, Italy, all over. So, we’ll positively, I can really feel the hoteliers now doing a little analysis on these motels and planning their holidays. Let’s shift to the Unbiased Resort present. It’s taking place September sixteenth, seventeenth in Miami Seashore. And bear in mind Suite Spot listeners, don’t neglect to make use of promo code Ryan26 for a complimentary registration. Genna, and I’d like to see you there. Genna, you latterly joined the present’s advisory board. Congratulations on that. What impressed you to become involved with this occasion and the way do you see it supporting unbiased hoteliers?
Genna Panagopoulos:To start with, thanks. And I’m actually flattered to be on the advisory board. After we began our, after I was working by way of our growth technique as a part of that, we have been speaking concerning the varied conferences we needed to attend. And we actually assume that we’re completely different from a whole lot of the massive gamers which might be already right here, proper? We’re making an attempt to not be aligned with them, however a very completely different providing. And so for us, it was actually vital that we discover these unbiased hoteliers, boutique hoteliers that, once more, are on the lookout for any individual to assist help them and possibly make their lives a little bit bit simpler, however not be all the time watching over their shoulder. And so for us that this was excellent, I really hadn’t come throughout it till they reached out to me. And it took place 48 hours after we had mentioned, we have to discover a present or a convention that has particularly this. And it simply fell into our lap. And so we, it was, it was very serendipitous and we’re very excited. In truth, I hope we are able to proceed to attend and I’ll be bringing my colleague from Mexico really to assist run the method with us whereas we’re there. So we’re excited. I additionally assume that we may study a whole lot of what unbiased hoteliers want and their challenges are and have the ability to assist them out.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, it’s a really, very distinctive occasion. I’ve had the privilege of being to the present since its inception a number of years again. A lot studying, there’s something particular once you put a gaggle of unbiased hoteliers collectively in a room. The networking that goes down. It truly is not like some other occasion I’ve been to. So, once more, hope you’ll be a part of Genna and I in Miami Seashore in September. We hope to see you there. As we wrap up at present, we obtained a pair extra minutes. What’s your imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Minor Lodges in North America?
Genna Panagopoulos:Hear, we don’t wanna be as large as all people else that’s right here, however we wanna have a very good foothold. I don’t assume I discussed this, however we have now a little bit over 600 motels worldwide, together with in pipeline. And we’re actually all over the place apart from North America. And so it simply seems like the best development, of the place we even have motels in South America, in Mexico, proper? So we’re actually type of closing in from all instructions. And so we simply wanna have good motels right here. Good illustration on, enjoyable reality, British and US vacationers make up nearly all of Anantara company worldwide, regardless that we have now no Anantara right here within the U.S.. So, Norin England. So individuals need it, and I believe as soon as they’re right here they may completely come. So we’re excited. We simply need what we would like. illustration of motels. Hopefully that’s someplace round 20 to 30 motels within the coming years.
Ryan Embree:Properly, you’re off to a brilliant robust begin. Congratulations once more, Genna. It’s thrilling to be right here, type of on the beginning line of this Minor Resort’s journey in North America. It is going to quickly comply with swimsuit, like the remainder of your model is. So we’re excited to observe that unfold right here within the upcoming years. Genna, thanks a lot. We all know you’re busy. You talked about it earlier than. We admire you taking your time, spending a while with us and speaking about Minor Lodges and within the Unbiased Resort Present. Once more, we’re, we’re excited that we’ll each be attending there in Miami. And hope you’ll too. So Genna, thanks to your time.
Genna Panagopoulos:Thanks for having me once more.
Ryan Embree:Alright and we’ll discuss to you subsequent time on The Suite Spot. Thanks for listening. To Be a part of our Loyalty program. You’ll want to subscribe and provides us a 5 star ranking 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.
