Hospitality Podcast: LowKey by Oaky

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Sep 2025

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About the show

Are you a hotelier, hotel revenue manager or hospitality professional looking to enhance your industry knowledge and expertise? Our hospitality podcast series, LowKey by Oaky, is a perfect place to learn and get inspired by great minds from the hotel industry. Our easy-going sessions will help you stay on top of the latest trends, discover solutions to common challenges and get insight into effective hotel management. This podcast series is brought to you by Oaky, a hyper-personalised hotel upsell software trusted by over 3,000 customers worldwide: http://oaky.com/

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31 recent

September 17, 2025Episode 3122 min

Burnout, balance & blue skies ahead: An honest talk about mental health in hospitality | LowKey Podcast (ft. Linus Fredberg) #31

Mental health in hospitality often remains a taboo subject. Yet it affects professionals across every level of the industry.Tune in for an honest conversation about burnout, leadership, resilience, and recovery between Linus Fredberg, Regional Director of Revenue Management La Maison-Northern Europe, and Oaky’s Clément Dénarié.Linus shares his deeply personal journey of overcoming challenges and finding his way back to balance. 💬 Key insights you’ll take away:Why mental health conversations matter more than ever in hospitalityRed flags leaders can watch for in their teamsHow culture and teamwork impact resiliencePractical habits to protect your energy at workA refreshing perspective on prioritizing what truly matters in life and in business: Discover other episodes: https://oaky.com/en/hospitality-podcast-lowkey-by-oaky Follow us on social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/1MwAWFaykVu7O7YlMpUOSE?si=f4dbbc7b69ed443e https://www.instagram.com/oakynews/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oaky/ https://www.facebook.com/oakynews/ https://twitter.com/oakynews

July 17, 2025Episode 3029 min

Strategizing for Success During Portfolio Growth | LowKey Podcast (ft. Jean Buche, Leonardo Hotels) #30

Can a hotel brand expand rapidly without losing its identity? Leonardo Hotels’ journey proves just that. With 23 new properties acquired this year alone, the group has been growing quickly from a regional brand to a European leader. And who better to share insights into this exciting journey than Jean Buche, Vice President of Revenue Management for Central Europe at Leonardo Hotels? Tune in to the latest episode of LowKey by Oaky and discover: How to navigate fast-paced portfolio expansion How to maintain a cohesive identity while tailoring guest experiences to local marketsWhy trust is the foundation of successful leadership in hospitalityWhat it takes to launch sub-brands in competitive urban markets Jean’s personal reflections on leadership and mindset that anyone navigating complex growth can apply. Discover other episodes: https://oaky.com/en/hospitality-podcast-lowkey-by-oaky Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/oakynews/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oaky/ https://www.facebook.com/oakynews/ https://twitter.com/oakynews

June 19, 2025Episode 2934 min

Align and Thrive: The Role of Communication in Hotel Profitability | LowKey Podcast (ft. Alex Slors) #29

Poor communication is the silent killer of hotel profits. That’s the hard truth shared by Alex Slors, Founder and Managing Director of Alex Slors Consulting, in our latest episode of LowKey by Oaky, hosted by Oaky’s CEO and Co-founder, Erik Tengen.With decades of experience bridging the gap between owners, operators, brands, and investors, Alex unpacks why communication isn’t just a soft skill but a strategic lever that directly impacts your bottom line.🎥 Watch on YouTube: [Insert link] 🎧 Listen on Spotify: [Insert link]What you’ll learn:Why the asset manager’s role is more “glue” than “commander” or “general”How alignment between owners, brands, and hotel teams drives long-term valueHow poor communication quickly erodes EBITDAThe risks of letting brand or ownership agendas overshadow hotel performanceSurprising parallels between asset managers and startup CEOsWhen brands should push back and say “no” to ownersWhy hotel employees are the most overlooked stakeholders and why that needs to changeAnd more!

May 22, 2025Episode 2825 min

What Modern Guests Truly Want | LowKey Podcast (ft. Danica Smith, MorningStar GX) #28

What is the difference between what guests truly want and what hotels believe their guests want? We’ve got the answer in our latest LowKey by Oaky episode featuring none other than Danica Smith, CEO & Founder of MorningStar GX and an expert in the guest experience. Danica breaks down the blind spots hospitality leaders often overlook and explains how to bridge these gaps to meet modern guests’ expectations. What you will learn: What true personalization means and why tech is only half of the puzzle. How internal silos undermine the guest experience. How to align your team to fulfill the brand promise. The real difference between guest needs and desires, and why fulfilling guests’ desires is essential for building loyalty. Why the future of hospitality is emotion-led and what that means for the guest experience you design.

April 24, 2025Episode 2726 min

The Secret to Building Award-winning Teams | LowKey Podcast (ft. Philip Steiner) #27

Why do some hotel teams thrive while others fail? In this LowKey episode, Philip Steiner, COO for the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, and Portugal at Cycas Hospitality, and Erik Tengen, Oaky’s CEO and Co-founder, discuss the secrets of building high-performing teams. Get ready to uncover unique insights from Philip on leadership, team building, and creating a culture of positive empowerment and motivation. What you will learn: - Why planning and structure are the foundations of effective team building- Why diversity is a game-changer in creating high-performing teams- How Philip transformed the Bankside Hotel team into a TripAdvisor top performer by fostering a positive and empowering environment- Philip’s approach to handling constant challenges in hospitality- And more nuggets of wisdom and fresh perspectives on team building. Discover other episodes: https://oaky.com/en/hospitality-podcast-lowkey-by-oaky Follow us on social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/1MwAWFaykVu7O7YlMpUOSE?si=f4dbbc7b69ed443e https://www.instagram.com/oakynews/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oaky/ https://www.facebook.com/oakynews/ https://twitter.com/oakynews

March 27, 2025Episode 2628 min

Maximizing Direct Bookings and Guest Loyalty | LowKey Podcast (ft. Diego Fernández) #26

What if your guests could choose to book directly over OTAs every time? In this episode of LowKey by Oaky, we dive deeper into the secrets of driving direct bookings and building guest loyalty with Diego Fernández Pérez de Ponga, CEO of Port Hotels and author of The Art of Revenue, joined by Pablo Torres, Hospitality Consultant and Oaky’s Front Desk Upselling Coach.Get ready to discover:Critical technical aspects your website may be missing that hinder your direct bookingsCommon mistakes hoteliers make when trying to generate direct bookingsThe key elements of a winning loyalty program How to make marketing work to your advantageWhy the ancillary revenue strategy is becoming more important in modern hospitality

February 20, 202521 min

The Power of Data in Total Revenue Management | LowKey Podcast (Hotel Okura Amsterdam) #25

Data is a cornerstone of revenue management, and it becomes even more crucial as you move toward embracing total revenue management.In this episode of the LowKey by Oaky podcast, Rebekka Berger, Director of Revenue and Business Performance at Hotel Okura Amsterdam, provides an inside scoop on how she and her team use data to optimize revenue, refine offerings, and deliver exceptional guest service.Together with Oaky’s Saahil Karkera, VP of Customer Success, they discuss: The difference between traditional revenue management and total revenue management Why a total revenue management strategy is essential for profitability The challenges of data collection and management and how Hotel Okura tackles them How Hotel Okura Amsterdam navigates and analyzes data for data-driven decisions How guest demographic data is used to enhance service and drive profitability And much more!

January 16, 2025Episode 2425 min

Optimizing VAT for Greater Profitability | LowKey Hospitality Podcast (ft. Martin Morawski) #24

Generating more revenue is just one piece of the revenue puzzle. Another key piece is optimizing your VAT strategy. In this episode of LowKey by Oaky, we sat down with Martin Morawski, VAT Lawyer and Partner at Hamelink & Van den Tooren, to explore practical VAT optimization strategies to drive profitability. With extensive experience working with OTAs, booking platforms, and major hotel chains, Martin shares insider tips to help you see VAT not as a compliance burden but as an opportunity. Together with Oaky’s Erik Tengen, they dive deeper into: - Impactful VAT optimization strategies enabling hotels to save more - How to optimize your cancellation policies with VAT in mind - How to turn bundles and packages into profit opportunities - What’s on the horizon and how to stay prepared for upcoming VAT changes. Discover other episodes: https://oaky.com/en/hospitality-podcast-lowkey-by-oaky Follow us on social media: https://open.spotify.com/show/1MwAWFaykVu7O7YlMpUOSE?si=f4dbbc7b69ed443e https://www.instagram.com/oakynews/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oaky/ https://www.facebook.com/oakynews/ https://twitter.com/oakynews

November 21, 202431 min

Lessons from a Front Desk Upselling Consultant | LowKey Hospitality Podcast (ft. Pablo Torres) #23

Is only one person on your team actively upselling at the front desk?Or maybe you’re facing resistance or low motivation from your team when trying to implement a front desk upselling strategy? The good news is, that with the right approach, you can leave these challenges behind. In this episode of the LowKey podcast, Pablo Torres, a hospitality expert, author, and Oaky’s new front desk upselling coach, shares practical strategies to help set up your entire team for success.Together with Oaky’s Erik Tengen, they dive deeper into: Why front desk upselling matters in today’s hospitality industry How a front desk upselling consultant can help hotels uncover and address challenges that hold them back from executing a winning upselling strategy How to turn your front desk agents into top sales performers Traditional vs. next-generation upselling How technology can make upselling more consistent, fun, and rewarding for hotel teams Real stories and anecdotes from Pablo’s 14-year career consulting career.

October 24, 202426 min

The Value of API-first Platforms | LowKey Hospitality Podcast (ft. Apaleo) #22

What are API-first platforms, and how are they different from regular PMSs with API capabilities? What benefits do they bring to hotels, and how are they shaping the future of hospitality? Our latest podcast episode of LowKey is the perfect place to find answers to these questions. Hear from our guest, Ulrich Pillau, Founder and CEO of Apaleo, a seasoned hotel industry expert, joined by Oaky’s CEO and Co-Founder, Erik Tengen. The episode sheds light on: The difference between API-first platforms and regular hotel PMSs The shift from closed hotel technology to more open platforms that allow for enhanced flexibility and scalability Aspects that API-first platforms prioritize, such as the instant availability of functions and self-service capabilities, and their impact on the efficiency of hotel operations Real-world migration success stories and examples of transitioning from traditional PMS to Apaleo.