In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Carmen Almos, Founder & CEO of Ashburton Hospitality, for a powerful conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship, and the evolving world of hotel ownership and asset management.

Carmen shares her remarkable journey—from growing up in South Africa and moving to Tennessee as a teenager, to discovering her passion for hospitality through her family's motel business. She opens up about lessons learned from navigating cultural transitions, surviving the 2008 financial crisis, and finding her way from finance and law aspirations into hotel ownership and asset management.

The conversation dives into:

• What hotel asset managers actually do—and why ownership is one of hospitality’s most influential seats
• Why should hotels use creative strategies to drive revenue and improve guest experiences?
• The growing tension between hotel owners, operators, and brands
• How AI’s impact on hotel operations and the future of hospitality

Plus, Carmen shares stories about her family's American dream, her father’s motel turnaround strategy, and why she believes self-advocacy is essential for success.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iDOFWvqSQvY

Links:
Carmen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-a-581b02183/
Ashburton Hospitality: https://www.ashburtonhospitality.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/279

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How does someone go from taking their very first flight after college to becoming the CEO of a world-renowned cruise brand?

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises and recent recipient of the prestigious 2026 CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award. From growing up in a small Texas town to becoming one of the most influential leaders in the cruise industry, Dondra shares her inspiring journey, leadership lessons, and passion for hospitality.

The conversation starts with a fun lightning round where Dondra reveals her love for football, scuba diving, and even a bucket-list dream of swimming with sharks in Australia. Then, the discussion dives deeper into her career path—from becoming a flight attendant after her very first plane ride to rising through sales and marketing leadership roles before ultimately leading Azamara Cruises.

Dondra shares insights into the power of teamwork, why travel advisors are vital to the cruise experience, and what drew her out of retirement to take the helm at Azamara. She also explains how Azamara’s boutique-style cruise experience differs from mega ships, offering destination immersion, longer stays, and authentic cultural experiences around the world.

The episode also explores evolving travel trends, the future of cruising, and Dondra’s advice for aspiring leaders—especially women—on embracing bravery over perfection and surrounding yourself with people who elevate your strengths.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Dondra’s small-town upbringing shaped her leadership style
• The value of teamwork and lifelong learning
• What makes Azamara Cruises different from larger cruise lines
• Why authenticity and culture are at the heart of memorable guest experiences

A fun, insightful conversation filled with leadership wisdom, travel inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look into the world of luxury cruising.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TvkEzc3cbdM

Links:
Dondra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dondra-ritzenthaler-a09158406/
Azamara Cruises: https://www.azamara.com/home

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/278

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special collaborative episode of The Modern Hotelier, recorded at the Hunter Conference with Josiah McKenzie of Hospitality Daily, we share a compelling conversation with Azim Saju, CEO of ARK Holdings.

Azim discusses his multi-faceted role in hospitality—from hotel ownership and third-party management to development, acquisitions, and renovations—and unpacks how culture, financial literacy, and technology are reshaping modern hotel operations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How ARK Holdings operates across management, acquisitions, development, and renovations
• Why increasing financial literacy among frontline staff (including housekeepers and breakfast attendants) directly impacts hotel performance and valuation
• How teaching team members, the “life cycle of a hotel” improves both business outcomes and personal financial well-being
• The critical role of forecasting and labor modeling in driving profitability and long-term asset value
• How culture and growth reinforce each other as a competitive advantage at ARK

This episode highlights a powerful shift in hospitality: moving from pure cost optimization toward education, empowerment, and long-term value creation.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qrF6xn9XJIA

Links:
Azim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azimsaju/
ARK Holdings: http://arkhospitality.com/

Josiah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/277

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.