Behind the Stays
Behind the Stays
Zach Busekrus
Introducing: This Week in Hospitality—The Sonder Collapse, Hilton’s New Bet, and Airbnb’s Hotel Ambitions
1 hour 6 minutes Posted Nov 14, 2025 at 8:40 am.
— Introductions & why this podcast exists
— Story #1: Sonder × Marriott partnership collapses
— Ben’s take: STR brand value & commodity product problem
— Marriott, scale, loyalty, and future brand strategy
— Story #2: Hilton launches The Outset Collection
— Owner perspective: data, flag strategies, ROI trade-offs
— Independents vs. major flags: the next 10 years
— Story #3: Airbnb officially welcomes hotels
— Airbnb’s evolution into a hospitality ecosystem
— Does Airbnb need a total rebrand?
— “Back to hospitality roots” debate
— Wrap-up & what’s coming next
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Show notes
Subscribe to This Week in Hospitality wherever you get you podcasts:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5oPExA0txHMjEI5Ye13IUyApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-hospitality/id1849637233Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinHospitality
 
In this episode of This Week in Hospitality, Zach Busekrus sits down with Scott Eddy, Ben Wolff, and Edwin Kramer to unpack three major stories dominating the travel and hospitality world. From Sonder’s dramatic collapse following Marriott’s termination, to Hilton’s launch of the Outset Collection, to Airbnb’s bold embrace of hotels — this was one of the most consequential weeks the industry has seen in years.
The team brings perspectives spanning global travel, hotel development, luxury operations, and hospitality tech. Fast-paced, unfiltered, and deeply informed — this is the weekly breakdown every hotelier, operator, developer, and investor should be listening to.This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey.
Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary.If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com.
Key Topics & Timestamps
Your Hosts:
Zach Busekrus — Journey
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/ 
 
Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/
 
Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/
 
Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/