In this episode of Suite Talk, hosts Tom Woolin and Declan Wale are joined by Mike Baxter, founder of House of Gods, for a candid and entertaining conversation on building one of hospitality’s boldest boutique brands.

Recorded at the soon-to-open House of Gods in Canary Wharf, Mike shares the unconventional journey from nightclub promoter and hostel founder to creating immersive hotels built around escapism, storytelling and “treat me like I’m famous” luxury. From chaotic opening nights and accidental Rolls-Royce purchases to rethinking what boutique hospitality should actually mean, this episode dives into the realities of building a disruptive hotel brand without following the traditional rulebook.

At the heart of the conversation is one core belief: hospitality should make people feel something.

Key topics include:

✅ Mike’s unconventional journey from nightlife to boutique hospitality
✅ Building House of Gods around experience, escapism and storytelling
✅ The lessons learned from launching hotels without traditional industry experience
✅ Why modern luxury should feel fun, immersive and emotionally engaging
✅ Scaling a disruptive hotel brand while protecting creativity and identity
✅ How AI will reshape hospitality, and why human connection will matter even more

From entrepreneurial mistakes to creative breakthroughs, Mike offers an honest look at what it takes to build a hospitality brand that genuinely stands out.

🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Mike Baxter at House of Gods.
Read more episodes and hospitality insights at Hotel Magazine.

Key Moments:

00:00 - Chaos, luxury and the opening weekend that changed everything
02:32 - Discovering hospitality through nightlife and events
05:22 - Building The Baxter Hostel with zero hotel experience
08:23 - The disastrous first weekend: “You’re in my bed!”
14:48 - Creating House of Gods and putting experience before rooms
19:06 - Why everyone wants a little luxury and escapism
21:54 - Scaling House of Gods without losing its identity
29:48 - The new castle hotel concept inspired by witchcraft and wizardry
31:52 - Launching a champagne brand and the surprising history of champagne
50:55 - AI, human connection and the future of hospitality

📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, design and innovation in hospitality.
🔗 Learn more at House of Gods and Hotel Magazine.

In this episode of Suite Talk, hosts Jade Evans and Declan Wale sit down with Kurt Macher, Area General Manager of Operations for Paris and London and General Manager of Shangri-La, The Shard, for a conversation on what modern luxury hospitality really demands.

From early beginnings in Austria to leading teams across continents, Kurt shares how his global career has shaped a leadership style grounded in openness, adaptability and people-first thinking. Recorded high above London, this episode explores the complexity of today’s hospitality landscape, where leaders must balance commercial performance, team culture and exceptional guest experience all at once.

At its core, this conversation is a reminder that while the industry continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: great hospitality is built on human connection.

Key topics include:

✅ Kurt’s early career and apprenticeship in Austria
✅ The importance of teamwork and learning multiple disciplines early on
✅ Leading global teams across cultures and markets
✅ Why hospitality leaders today must be “jack of all trades”
✅ Balancing commercial performance with guest experience and team wellbeing
✅ The role of community, charity and giving back in hospitality leadership
✅ How technology should enhance, not replace, human interaction
✅ Why personalisation begins before a guest even arrives
✅ Adapting to constant change in an evolving industry
✅ The enduring importance of human connection in luxury hospitality

From leadership philosophy to the future of the industry, this episode offers a grounded and honest perspective on what it takes to succeed in hospitality today.

🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Kurt Macher at Shangri-La.
See more episodes and industry insights at Hotel Magazine.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Why modern hospitality requires a “jack of all trades” approach
02:08 – Introducing Kurt Macher and his global hospitality career
03:23 – Apprenticeship in Austria and early lessons in teamwork
06:38 – What success means: beyond commercial performance
08:18 – A global career and becoming an open-minded leader
10:31 – Giving back: community, charity and purpose in hospitality
13:27 – Technology in hospitality: frictionless, not faceless
16:58 – Quick fire: personalisation, design trends and guest experience
20:57 – Leadership today: agility, teamwork and constant change
25:54 – Defining hospitality: it’s all about people

📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, culture and innovation in hospitality.
🔗 Learn more at Shangri-La and Hotel Magazine.

In this special International Women’s Day episode of Suite Talk, hosts Jade Evans and Declan Wale bring together a panel of inspiring women from across the hospitality industry to discuss leadership, representation and the realities of building a career in hotels today.

Centred around this year’s theme, Give To Gain, the discussion reflected on what it means to build a career in hospitality with generosity, resilience and purpose, and how we can continue to support and elevate the future women of our industry.

Recorded at the Library at Montcalm Mayfair, the conversation explores the progress hospitality has made towards gender equality, and where the industry still has work to do. The panel share personal stories from their own careers, reflecting on the mentors who shaped them, the challenges they’ve faced, and the opportunities they see for the next generation of women entering hospitality.

From breaking stereotypes to building supportive cultures and redefining what leadership looks like, this episode offers an honest and hopeful perspective on how the industry can continue to evolve.

Key topics include:

✅ Personal career journeys and the moments that shaped each leader
✅ The role of mentorship and sponsorship in hospitality careers
✅ Progress made towards gender equality in the industry
✅ Breaking stereotypes and challenging outdated leadership models
✅ Creating inclusive cultures where diverse voices are heard
✅ Balancing career growth with personal priorities
✅ Why representation matters at every level of hospitality
✅ Advice for the next generation of women entering the industry
✅ The responsibility leaders have to lift others as they rise

Through candid discussion and shared experiences, the panel highlight how collaboration, visibility and supportive leadership can help create a more inclusive future for hospitality.

🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation celebrating International Women’s Day on Suite Talk.
Read more episodes and industry insights at Hotel Magazine.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Introduction to the International Women’s Day special episode
03:05 – Meet the panel and their hospitality journeys
07:10 – Early career challenges and defining moments
12:45 – The mentors and role models who shaped their careers
18:30 – Breaking stereotypes in hospitality leadership
23:50 – The importance of representation across the industry
29:40 – How workplace culture has evolved in recent years
34:15 – Supporting the next generation of women in hospitality
39:20 – Advice for young professionals entering the industry
43:30 – Reflections on the future of hospitality leadership

Connect with Our Guests:

Samantha Van Exter

Joanne Taylor-Stagg

Anne Golden

Eljesa Saciri

📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, culture and innovation in hospitality.
🔗 Learn more at Montcalm Mayfair and Hotel Magazine.