Travel Talk Podcast
The Hotel Guide Travel Talk – WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODES HERE
- From Cruise Ships to Luxury Branding May 14, 2026Luxury hospitality, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and global travel all intersect in this powerful episode of Travel Talk.Edward Leos, CEO & Publisher of The Hotel Guide, sits down with Tatiana Montenegro, Vice President of Effy Group, for a conversation that goes far beyond jewelry.From growing up in a family of immigrant restauranteurs to working in hospitality, cruise […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- Purpose in Hospitality May 7, 2026What defines great hospitality today?Is it design… service… or something deeper?In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos sits down with Abigail Tan, CEO of St. Giles Hotels, to explore how modern hospitality is evolving beyond transactions—and into something far more meaningful.From growing up immersed in hotel development to leading an international brand, Abigail […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- The Truth About Booking Travel (What No One Tells You) April 30, 2026What if the greatest barrier to travel isn’t distance—but access?In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos sits down with Brooks Laich, former NHL athlete turned Founder & CEO of World Playground, to unpack a fundamental shift happening across the global travel landscape.This isn’t a conversation about booking engines or hotel rooms.It’s about why […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- UNSCRIPTED: 55 Years of Life & Business April 23, 2026In this special, unscripted episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos—Publisher of The Hotel Guide—steps away from the script and speaks from the heart.Recorded on his 55th birthday, this episode is a raw and honest reflection on a 33-year journey through entrepreneurship, leadership, faith, and resilience.From taking a low-paying opportunity that changed the course of […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- Luxury Hotels Are Blending Together - Here's How the Best Stand Apart April 16, 2026In this episode of Travel Talk, Janine Pezarro joins Edward R. Leos for a conversation that cuts directly into one of the most overlooked drivers in luxury hospitality today: environment as a strategic advantage.As luxury and boutique hotels face increasing pressure from design convergence and experience parity, the real differentiator is no longer what guests […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- "Luxury is Becoming a Feeling" April 9, 2026Luxury today is no longer defined by where you go — but how it makes you feel.In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos sits down with Evelyn Ginossi, Founder of Marine & Vine, to explore how luxury is evolving beyond hotels into ritual, sensory experience, and emotional connection.Marine & Vine is not just […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- The Shift Redefining Luxury Travel (And Why Most Hotels Will Miss It" April 1, 2026Luxury travel has never looked better—but beneath the surface, something critical is changing.In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward Leos breaks down the shift redefining luxury hospitality—and why many hotels risk becoming interchangeable despite rising investment, design innovation, and service excellence.This conversation explores:The rise of luxury saturation and design convergenceWhy experience parity is creating sameness […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- "Six Senses Leader on Future of Luxury" March 26, 2026Luxury hospitality is changing — and the brands that lead with experience, wellness, and purpose are setting the pace.In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos interviews George Vlachopoulos, Area General Manager of Six Senses La Sagesse, about the future of luxury travel, guest experience, and leadership in modern hospitality.This conversation dives into the […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- Luxury Hotel CEO Reveals Future of Hospitality February 26, 2026Luxury hospitality is evolving — and the leaders shaping its future are thinking globally.In this episode of Travel Talk, we sit down with Narawadee Bualert, CEO of the iconic lebua Hotels & Resorts, to explore what it truly takes to lead a globally recognized luxury hospitality brand in today’s rapidly shifting travel landscape.From Bangkok to […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- INSIDE NYC's New Luxury Hotel Opening February 19, 2026In this episode of Travel Talk, host Edward R. Leos sits down with Lucy Shulman, Director of Sales & Marketing for the upcoming Kimpton Ashbel New York – Park Avenue, to explore the strategy, vision, and leadership behind one of NYC’s most anticipated hotel openings.From pre-opening marketing and sales positioning to guest experience design and […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- The Future of Luxury Hospitality is Being Built Now February 12, 2026In this episode of Travel Talk, host Edward R. Leos, CEO & Publisher of The Hotel Guide, sits down with Deniz Dorbek, Founder of Regulus Collective, a global investment and advisory platform focused on lifestyle and luxury hospitality innovation.Together, they explore how the hospitality industry is evolving beyond traditional models — and why technology, wellness, […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 119: "How to Book Luxury Hotels Smarter (Not Cheaper) | The Hotel Guide" February 4, 2026Luxury travel isn’t about discounts—it’s about trust, relationships, and exceptional experiences .In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos, CEO and Publisher of The Hotel Guide, shares a major announcement: The Hotel Guide’s new luxury booking partnership aligned with Boutique Travel Advisors.Edward explains why the traditional luxury booking model is broken, how curated travel […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 117: "Personal Branding is the New Currency in Travel" January 15, 2026In this episode of Travel Talk, we sit down with Scott Eddy, global travel entrepreneur and founder of Mr. Scott Eddy, to discuss the evolving travel media landscape, the creator economy, and how brands can build authentic, revenue-driving partnerships.We cover:• The future of travel media• Personal branding strategies that work• Influencers vs. creators — what’s […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 116: "What Travelers Want in 2026" January 8, 2026Luxury travel is changing — and the rules are no longer what they used to be. In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward Leos and Roxann Leos dive into the evolution of modern luxury travel, uncovering what today’s travelers truly value and where the industry is headed next.From experience-driven travel to the growing importance of […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 115: "The Future of Luxury Travel | Semra Hunter, Founder of SAHARAÏ" December 18, 2025Luxury travel is evolving — and the brands shaping the future are built on purpose, cultural integrity, and authentic connection.In this episode, we sit down with Semra Hunter, Founder of SAHARAÏ, to explore how conscious, culturally rooted travel is redefining what luxury truly means. Semra shares her journey of building a globally recognized travel brand […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 114: "From Housekeeper to President" December 15, 2025Join us for an inspiring episode of Travel Talk as we sit down with Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Casino Bristol, to explore her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Brazil to leading one of Virginia’s most exciting hospitality and entertainment destinations. In this interview, Allie shares how her passion for hospitality began with […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 113: Wild Journey Inside the San Antonio Zoo December 3, 2025Get ready for a high-energy conversation with Tim Morrow, the forward-thinking CEO of the San Antonio Zoo—one of the fastest-growing and most innovative zoological destinations in the United States. In this episode of Travel Talk with Edward Leos, we explore how the Zoo is redefining wildlife conservation, elevating family travel experiences, and creating unforgettable eco-tourism […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 112: "How a Vision Became a Destination" November 20, 2025In this episode, host Edward Leos sits down with Laura Penney, CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation about leadership, culture, community, and the remarkable evolution of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique destinations.Laura shares:✨ The story of opening the resort’s doors in 1993✨ How tribal values […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 111: “From Bellman to VP – Andrew Ladd of Noble House Hotels & Resorts” November 13, 2025From bellman to VP of Marketing — Andrew Ladd’s journey is a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and people-first leadership.In this inspiring episode of Travel Talk, host Edward Leos, publisher of The Hotel Guide, sits down with Andrew Ladd, VP of Marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts, to explore how one of hospitality’s most respected […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
- EPISODE 110: Building a Sustainable Future in Travel November 6, 2025What if every destination could make the planet better—one guest at a time? 🌎In this episode of Travel Talk, host Edward Leos sits down with Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International, to explore how sustainability, hospitality, and leadership are reshaping the travel experience.Christine shares powerful insights into:How hotels, resorts, and golf destinations are embracing green […]Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide
