Welcome to Behind the Stays — a podcast that shares the stories behind your favorite boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands and the hosts, operators, and entrepreneurs who’ve brought them to life. Every Tuesday and Friday you’ll meet the military veterans, retired flight attendants, tech entrepreneurs, school teachers, single moms, hoteliers, and real estate investors who are all, in their unique ways, shaping the future of travel and hospitality. Discover how these visionaries — from all over the world — have built stunning landscape hotels in the mountains, designed bohemian bungalows on the beach, erected eclectic off-grid and nature-immersed escapes, and so much more. Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Behind the States is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a hotel, this episode is for you.
Edwin Kramer, a global luxury hospitality expert with three decades of experience at brands like EDITION, Nobu, and Four Seasons, joins us to discuss the evolving definition of luxury, the art of hospitality, and why more people should own hotels.
Known for his mantra “Life is short—own a hotel,” Edwin now helps entrepreneurs and investors develop, launch, and scale boutique hospitality ventures through his consultancy, Kramer Hospitality.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why hospitality is attracting more entrepreneurs than ever
- The future of luxury: experience-driven, personalized, and community-focused
- Lessons from working with Ian Schrager, Marriott, and Nobu
- The biggest mistakes first-time hotel owners make
- Where the market is ripe for disruption—from boutique concepts to membership-driven hospitality
- Why the best hotels feel like a return, not just a stay
Edwin also shares insider strategies for securing investment, spotting the next great hotel opportunity, and avoiding costly pitfalls when developing a hospitality brand. Whether you’re building a micro-resort, reimagining a historic inn, or simply passionate about the art of world-class hospitality, this episode is packed with game-changing insights from a true industry master.
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