Avi Brosh

Founder of Palisociety

AVI BROSH, FOUNDER OF PALISOCIETY

How did you decide on Santa Barbara as the location for this new property?

The opportunity presented itself and the building was a great fit for our portfolio of “Palihouse” branded hotels.

Does the building have a unique story or what inspired you to create and manifest it?

Palihouse Santa Barbara was formerly the site of The Santa Barbara School of the Arts.

PALIHOUSE, Santa Barbara

What can guests expect from a stay here?

Palihouse Santa Barbara offers guests an intimate and elegant coastal hideaway in the heart of Santa Barbara’s downtown Historic Presidio Neighborhood.

Offering 24 spirited and handsomely appointed guest Rooms and Suites, all situated amongst a tranquil Mediterranean style courtyard, sparkling pool area and a delightful garden café, cocktail bar and lobby lounge, Palihouse Santa Barbara has been designed to appeal to the most astute tastemakers and discerning travelers.

Infused with timeless traditions and our fêted trusty service, Palihouse Santa Barbara invites guests to experience the heartfelt expressions of a residential-style boutique hotel, without having to compromise on location, style or amenities.

What is one of the most special amenities you offer?

Outside of beautiful Bellino Linens, our guests receive a welcome bottle of Prosecco and we host a complimentary evening Cocktail Hour every Wednesday – Sunday. We also have a unique Honor Bar room, for guests looking for a late-night snack or digestif once the bar is closed. 

You design all hotels internally: what are this one's noteworthy features or products? 

Custom and vintage furnishings and artwork.

Our design for this property is best described as Vintage Preppy meets American-Riviera, featuring a spirited romantic twist and plentiful “Palisociety” flair. Interiors reflect our penchant for mix-matched furnishings consisting of highly-curated new and vintage pieces and special unexpected touches throughout.

For this property, you chose our crispy percale linens: how important are bed and sleep in your vision?

Very important of course!

Can you tell us about the Mediterranean style café?

The Mediterranean-style garden courtyard doubles as the dining area for the hotel’s café, which features an all-day menu and cocktails, beer, and wine.

You have locations in California, Florida, Washington, and soon Oregon, how do they differ from each other?

What is different about them is that they each reflect what is valuable about the communities in which they are located. What is consistent is that they are independent in spirit and each has its own richly textured aesthetic that Palisociety has become known for.

You recently acquired the ARRIVE portfolio, what did you like about the brand and properties?

The properties were wonderfully located and were in markets we were not yet in, so it accelerated our growth.  We were drawn to how welcoming the design and vibe was, and we knew we could provide our operational and branding expertise to improve the performance of the hotels and grow the brand over time.

Where do you see Palisociety in a few years?

To be a leading “neighborhood hotel” brand.

Bashar Wali

Founder of This Assembly & CEO OF Practice Hospitality

BASHAR WALI, FOUNDER OF THIS ASSEMBLY & CEO OF PRACTICE HOSPITALITY

What are your top three must-haves in a hotel?

For me personally? Water pressure, water pressure, water pressure. Seriously. In the sink so I can actually wash my hands, in the shower so I can take a REAL shower and come on, no one (and I mean no one) wants to have to hold down the handle to flush a toilet. There are better ways to save the planet.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

Check my phone. I am a social media hound and I’m not ashamed. If you don’t follow me @BasharWali you should. See? Shameless. If I could be connected while I sleep, I would. It’s invaluable in keeping up to date on news, industry trends and what is happening in our world and culture - and I don’t want to miss a thing.

DINING AT HOTEL COLEE

Is there a future for boutique hotel companies or will the usual big brands take their space?

You know, there is a future for independent thinkers. I have said it for years now, in this industry we are a bunch of lemmings, following one another, trying to one up one other. But it has gotten to where the one upping and the out doing, it stopping being about a great stay and stopping being about the guest, it was only about beating out the other guy. Will boutiques ever go away? No, and I certainly hope they don’t. Especially if you are a thoughtful player like Firmdale Hotels that stays above the fray and just does what they do, and does it really well. They aren’t going anywhere.

How did you discover and ultimately join the hospitality industry?

Pure luck. I came here to my beloved United States from Syria at 17 years old for college. The first school that accepted me was (thankfully) Johnson & Wales. I am not a believer in fate or kismet or whatever, but I fell into this industry and fell in love.

ROOFTOP AT HOTEL COLEE

Do you have any nighttime rituals to ensure restful sleep?

I WISH! And in fact, I’m taking suggestions. You can send them to me @BasharWali. (There I go again. Shameless.)

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from being the president and CEO of Provenance Hotels?

Oh man, how much time do you have? Really the biggest thing is, almost everything is irrelevant without the right people. You can have the best building, with the best rooms in the best city, neighborhood all of that. And it can be sunk before it opens if you don’t have the right people in leading the way. Even if you get those elements right, what if you open the doors with staff that doesn’t care, that doesn’t believe? You aren’t ever going to see real success. It always comes down to investing and involving the people in your vision. They need to have as much pride in what you are doing as you do, or you have lost before you started.

HOTEL COLEE

What motivated you to found The Assembly and Practice Hospitality?

It was time for me to really bring the change I have been preaching in so many interviews to life. And I felt the best way to do that was from the ground up, with the right team, creating something we put part of ourselves in from the beginning.

In your WTF speech, you mentioned that you don’t stay at one hotel more than once. What has been your most unique hotel stay and why?

Unique is relative. And I will tell you why. There is a stay I will always remember, in fact I talk about it often. It was my “Blackish” moment. That day, a desk agent took the time to find a show I like, love, and leave me a note telling me when it is on and tell me what channel. That was unique because in all my travels, even though that didn’t cost them anything, that moved me more than all the amazing décor I’ve seen and all the lovely wine and cheese that has been wasted on me.

HOTEL COLEE

With so much change this year, what advice would you give to someone just starting out in the hospitality industry?

This may sound trite but believe me, it’s not: stick with it. Will this be the last pandemic? I hope so, but this isn’t our first or last trip through the wringer. 9/11, COVID, the Great Recession - we are in a volatile industry. That’s the nature of it and you have to be able to weather the storm. It’s why hotel people are so strong and so resilient.

This pandemic has decimated the hospitality industry but also shown its true essence: strong culture, will to serve, hard work, resiliency, community, kindness. Do you think a new movement will start from this?

Maybe people are just seeing how hotel people have always been. Responsible leaders take care of their people but, no matter who is in charge, people will always take care of each other, that isn’t anything new. There is a certain kind of person that works in hotels for the long haul and they aren’t the kind of people that will turn their back on you. Now if that starts a movement of people being nice to each other, then great, and hey, happy to give the credit to the pandemic or pretty much anyone.

EVENT SPACES AT HOTEL COLEE

Gabriella Khalil

Founder of Palm Heights Grand Cayman

If you could use only 3 words to describe Palm Heights, what would they be?

Inspiring, Paradise, Bespoke

What is something that makes Palm Heights unique?

The hotel has an amazing collection of books and magazines spanning from vintage, 1st editions and rare collectables that cover just about every subject. Guests can relax in the lounge and read or pop over to the bookstore on property called LibraryFetishdotcom and borrow any book throughout their stay.

PALM HEIGHTS - LOUNGE

Which Bellino product is your favorite?

Definitely the bedding. It is amazingly soft but also breathable as the hotel is in the Caribbean it is important to be cozy but also cool.

How do you relax and unwind after a long day?

If I am in Cayman I love to watch the sunset. Every night it is different but always spectacular. It is a beautiful and calming way to wind down.

SEVEN MILE BEACH

Where is your favorite place to spend time at Palm Heights?

I love the hotel beach bar called Coconut Club. It is located directly at the beach and has this amazing travertine bar which faces the water. The ocean view is so vivid and beautiful that sitting there with a cocktail in hand is definitely a highlight for me.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

I start every morning with a cup of hot English Breakfast tea and milk. It doesn't matter where I am, this is my go to in the morning.

What is currently inspiring you within the travel and hospitality industry?

I am feeling inspired by seeing the creativity put forth by the hotel industry that has been hit hard by the pandemic this past year. From virtual wellness, to interesting takeout options and various "experiences" for guests to take home until they can travel again, I feel inspired and love to see how hotels are adapting across the board.

What is your favorite design aspect of Palm Heights?

I love the actual design objects which were sourced around the world. There are lots of vintage pieces and furniture which all help tell an authentic and beautiful visual story. The vintage 1970's Ettore Sottsass rug which greets guests when they enter the lobby is one of my favorite pieces at the property.

PALM HEIGHTS - TWO BEDROOM BEACHFRONT TERRACE

With so much change this year, what advice would you give to someone just starting out in the hospitality industry?

I would say to always be creative and ready to adapt. We are living in an ever changing world right now and hospitality is definitely feeling the effects of this. I think that staying creative and coming up with ideas, experiences and an authentic connection to guests makes a big difference.

Where do you see the hospitality industry progressing towards in five years?

I think bespoke wellness will become a larger part of hotel experiences. I also think that people may start to take longer trips once travel resumes again. We have all experienced the pandemic differently but I think that mostly everyone feels that travel and vacation is something to cherish (more than ever before).

PALM HEIGHTS - EXTERIOR

Sara Ruffin Costello

DECORATOR of The Chloe, DESIGNER, WRITER, CREATIVE CONSULTANT

If you could use only 3 words to describe The Chloe, what would they be?

Clubby. Old world. Artistic

What is something that makes The Chloe unique?

Access to what feels like a sprawling private house in New Orleans.

THE CHLOE - PRIVATE DINING

How do you unwind after a long day?

I’ve been making my way through the entire Marvel series with my 9 year old son since the beginning of Covid. Three more to go.

Which Bellino product is your favorite?

The sheets are divine. The embroidery is special. But the towels! WOW!

THE CHLOE - UPTOWN KING ROOM

Where is your favorite place to spend time at The Chloe?

The weather is so nice right now. October and November in New Orleans is exceptional, so without a doubt the front patio.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

I wish I could say exercise or meditate - but its check messages and clean the kitchen.

What is currently inspiring you within the travel and hospitality industry?

Just went to Turkey. Drove a boat up to a restaurant called Azur on the bosphorous where we ate seafood with friends under the stars. Charming little unique spot. Not too done. The opposite of a place created from a CAD layout.

How did you discover and ultimately join the hospitality industry?

My friend - Robert Le Blanc - the owner of The Chloe casually asked if I’d do the place. I have never done anything in hospitality before. Always been a dream, and this was the perfect project to get experience

With so much change this year, what advice would you give to someone just starting out in the hospitality industry?

The Chloe is doing something interesting with their staff which is much less than they would have under normal circumstances. With the limited number of people, everyone is doing everything. Servers are dishwashers and bed makers. It’s kind of like how you operate at your own house!!! It works too! Everyone feels intimately involved with the place.

THE CHLOE - AVENUE KING

Michelle Walder

General Manager at the nomad hotel new york

If you could use only 3 words to describe The NoMad Hotel, what would they be?

Mysterious, enchanting, timeless.

What makes The NoMad unique?

The Nomad Team that brings the building to life. We also always let the guest lead the experience which is unique in terms of style of service.

THE NOMAD NYC - DINING

Which Bellino product is your favorite? 

They make the best duvet covers!  Growing up in a Swiss family, I have a slight obsession with high quality bedding, especially Duvet covers.

How do you unwind after a long day?

I love taking a nice long walk with my rescue pup, Giuseppe after work. It’s always a moment that reminds me to be present and focus on the moment.

THE NOMAD NYC - GRANDE

Where is your favorite place to spend time at The NoMad?

Honestly, this might be an expected answer, but the Library is so special to me.  The room oozes grace and elegance and transforms you to another time as soon as you sit down.  The shelves are lined with real books of history, stories, recipes, philosophy etc and the furniture and carpets are all antique and tell their own stories. The room just always makes think of the ecosystem of work and stories that are in that one single space and its inspiring. 

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

I make and drink celery juice, followed by Green tea.

THE NOMAD NYC - LIBRARY

What is currently inspiring you within the travel and hospitality industry?

The creativity that the hospitality industry, especially the restaurant industry, has shown during the pandemic has been very inspiring.  The beauty of our industry is that we are quite used to adapting and pivoting and are not afraid to roll up our sleeves to get work done.  The ideas and quick thinking that came out of the worst times of this pandemic are really very inspiring to me and I think the industry should be very proud of that.

How did you discover and ultimately join the hospitality industry? 

Hospitality was somewhat of a family-industry so I began working for my family’s restaurant and hotel at the age of 13 and my older sister, who is now a GM as well, had a huge influence on me to work in the industry. I tried to step away a few times early on in my career, but quickly realized that I love the ability to help people and serve others, even in the smallest of ways.  That instant gratification and ability to impact others, is very addicting.

THE NOMAD NYC - CLASSIC

With so much change this year, what advice would you give to someone just starting out in the hospitality industry? 

 Stay open minded and be flexible in your career now more than ever.  The most successful people I have witnessed during this very difficult time, are those that are willing to work any job and do whatever it takes for the good of the team and the company.  Whether you were trained for a job or not, show determination to learn it and help.  Those that have a job in hospitality right now will have an invaluable experience of working through this pandemic that will help you be a better manager in the future. Also, do not be afraid to join other industries for the time being even if you did not originally plan on that trajectory.  Every industry has elements that you can apply once you are back in Hospitality and therefore is valuable.

We know you are launching your own clever start up: can you tell us about it?

Yes! I have been working on a user-friendly website called the C-Card. The website is for Cancer patients and their caregivers to access discounted rates at trusted Hotels in cities with the largest cancer centers.  Having gone through my own two cancer experiences, I very quickly learned that the expenses that are incurred by patients just simply to travel to hospitals are unbelievably high. There are some great charity housing locations available, but the application is an extensive process. This website, called the C-Card, makes it a much quicker process and will hopefully help a lot of patients and their families 

THE NOMAD NYC - CUPOLA

Gregory Day

GENERAL MANAGER AT THE MALIBU BEACH INN

If you could use only 3 words to describe Malibu Beach Inn, what would they be?

It’s really just two:  Barefoot Luxury

What is something that makes Malibu Beach Inn unique?

Our size and proximity to the water.  There are lots of boutique hotels, so ‘size’ may seem a pedestrian comment, but when you add the guest-to-staff ratio we provide, the intimacy and personal attention to detail are, we believe, second to none.  We are also unique in our proximity to the ocean.  No hotel in all of southern California is directly on the water like we are.  Many of course have beautiful ocean views and some are even ‘on the beach’.  However to be directly on the water (so close that the direct stairway access to the beach can be 30% covered during high tide), is a competitive advantage we (and of course our guests) enjoy.  Also, every room has an ocean view, which, let’s face it, is why you want to stay at a hotel at the beach.

MALIBU BEACH INN - BACK PATIO

Which Bellino product is your favorite?

The bed linens are what do it for me.  The weight is perfect.

How do you unwind after a long day?

It depends on the day!  Usually it is with my family with a nice bottle of wine, and or my favorite cocktail (a Negroni).

MALIBU BEACH INN - KING PREMIER OCEAN FRONT

Where is your favorite place to spend time at Malibu Beach Inn?

On the oceanfront terrace with a glass of Rumors Rosé watching the waves crash In whilst our guests relax on the sun loungers.  To see the Whales and Dolphins playing in the distance; It’s transformative.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

Lately I hit the snooze button (truthfully more than once).  But once I get up and moving, I will do my morning workout with Peloton.

MALIBU BEACH INN - OCEANFRONT

What is currently inspiring you within the travel and hospitality industry?

During the pandemic, it has been the camaraderie between hoteliers and travel advisors, and to a degree even the guests.  Let’s face it, nothing is as it was; we have all had to adapt; to help each other.

How did you discover and ultimately join the hospitality industry?

A total accident.  I was at a New Year’s day house party; There was alcohol involved, and the next thing I knew, Monday, I was in a hotel manager’s office talking about becoming the assistant manager in the hotel’s coffee shop.  That was over 30 years ago.  I suppose overall it has worked out well; which is good because I have no other skill set at this point.

With so much change this year, what advice would you give to someone just starting out in the hospitality industry?

It’s a wonderful industry; A wonderful community.  It is hard work, but if you enjoy people, and in particular pleasing people; Creating memories, you will never really work a day in your career.

MALIBU BEACH INN - SPA