In June of 1993, a young account executive named Edward Leos stepped into the hospitality world with no contacts, no portfolio — just a relentless drive, a love for travel, and a passion for the people behind the industry.
At the time, The Hotel Guide had only released its very first issue: a humble publication focused solely on San Antonio. There were no big teams, no national reach — just the idea that travelers deserved a trusted guide to the best in hospitality, and that hoteliers deserved a platform to tell their stories.
“I didn’t have a single contact,” Edward recalls. “But I believed in the vision. I believed in relationships. And I knew the hospitality world was where I belonged.”
That belief — and a few thousand cold calls later — turned into something extraordinary.
Today, 32 years later, The Hotel Guide has grown from a single-city publication to a nationally-distributed travel media brand seen by more than 24 million travelers annually. With Edward Leos now at the helm as Publisher, The Hotel Guide includes a print and digital magazine, a strong social media presence, a creative marketing and design firm, and the expanding Travel Talk podcast, heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and Amazon Music.
What began with one issue in San Antonio has become a trusted platform showcasing the finest hotels, resorts, culinary destinations, wellness retreats, and unforgettable travel experiences across the globe.
Through it all, the mission remains the same: connect travelers with extraordinary destinations, and elevate the people and places that make hospitality shine.
Here’s to the past 32 years of grit, growth, and gratitude — and to the road ahead.
— Edward Leos & The Hotel Guide Team
