Hospitality at the edge of a new world order
Conflict, capital shifts, and AI are quickly reshaping the future of luxury travel.
Good evening and happy Friday everyone,
I hope that you’re all doing okay despite what’s happening in the world right now. If you’re in the Middle East or have family and friends there now, I pray for everyone’s safety.
The world is changing at an astonishingly rapid pace right now. Just last week, I was having a conversation with a restaurant operator who was optimistic about the future of hospitality in the Gulf region and its growth potential. I don’t know if that same conversation would take place today, just a few days after. Middle Eastern capital has traditionally flowed to the west because cities like London and New York have been perceived as safe havens for capital preservation. In recent years, that trend has been increasingly reversed as investors seek yield in emerging markets.
As the conflict unfolds, I’ve seen contradicting messages online. For example, some Dubai residents are sharing that their daily lives haven’t been as impacted as much as the panicked sentiment on social media dictates. Others who were visiting have indeed been panicking about finding a way back home, and have shared photos of mattresses with fine linens in the garages of luxury hotels, surrounded by the cars you’d imagine to be parked there.
I’ve been reflecting lately how the concepts of safety and freedom won’t be taken for granted in the future reality of AI and a changing world order. With that context, how will the future of hospitality evolve to adapt? It’s a fascinating question to think about because hospitality and travel have been intimately impacted by the world’s most groundbreaking and catalytic events: the 90’s dotcom boom and birth of OTA’s, 9/11 and its impact on travel regulations, Airbnb and its disruption of the hotel industry, and now with the Great Wealth Transfer underway, adoption of AI, and political conflict. Through all of these big changes, one thing remains constant: people have always paid for experiences - whether that’s dining out, traveling, or weekend socializing / entertainment. So while everything happening can feel unsettling, rest assured that those who are well prepared for the 4th industrial revolution are about to experience asymmetrical outcomes.
Consider this to be the opening thread discussing the future of AI and hospitality. More thoughts continued below…
I made a rare appearance as an interviewee on Zach Busekrus’ podcast called Behind The Stays. Zach is a 2x exited founder - his second start up StayWatch was acquired by Journey, where he now leads growth. Journey is a loyalty platform for independent hotels and private vacation rentals, and they raised a seed round from Lerer Hippeau, Slow Ventures, and Brian Kelly (The Points Guy) back in August. We chatted about what goes into a project such as One Beverly Hills, my takes on distribution vs scarcity, and where I think the future of ultra luxury hospitality is heading. Listen to the episode here.
You may have noticed that The Stanza has a new look. Huge thank you to Pedestal Design for understanding the brief and exceeding my expectations (+being professional and timely). If you’re looking for unique and well-researched branding design, I can’t recommend them enough.
Lastly, here’s an update on the 2026 podcast season.
If you’re new here, or want to catch up on the best of The Stanza, I’d recommend that you start here.
In today’s newsletter:
I correctly predicted that Blackstone would invest in members clubs.
Can Soho House successfully create a branded residential product?
Serving a wealthy family from the Gulf and a recently exited Silicon Valley founder at the same hotel: two vastly different approaches united by AI and choreography
What separates hospitality operators who will thrive in the AI era from those who won’t?
Would you pay $40 for pasta made in a kitchen run by robots?
Read previous issues of The Stanza here.
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Other opportunities currently live:
For sale: Very chic & elegant 90-key boutique hotel in Nice
Investment opportunity: Ultra-luxury hotel & branded residential development in downtown NYC
For sale: Fully-entitled hospitality site in West Hollywood (~45,000 SF)
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