Mary Gostelow Girlahead Podcast
Almont Global 353 episodes Nov 5, 2026
The Mary Gostelow Girlahead Podcast offers insight into the luxury hospitality industry from people who know it best. Each week, Mary Gostelow shares emerging trends and interviews decision-makers, drawing on her extensive travel experience. The show is aimed at hotel owners, suppliers, advisors, and others interested in luxury hospitality and business profitability. Listeners can also join a paid inner circle through Patreon.
Episodes
Geoffrey Kent - Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent
Geoffrey Kent is an international luxury travel tycoon, explorer, and the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent.
Sholto Crawford-Smith - General Manager at InterContinental London Park Lane
InterContinental London Park Lane’s Sholto Crawford-Smith and Theo Randall are adamant that a GM x Chef partnership can be win-win.
Anna Nash - President of Explora Journeys
As President of Explora Journeys, Anna Nash brings infectious style to ocean travel
Nina Ranjan graduated from EHL Lausanne and she’s more excited than ever about luxury hospitality
Nina Ranjan graduated from EHL Lausanne and she’s more excited than ever about luxury hospitality.
Cristiano Buono - General Manager of the Delano Miami Beach
Cristiano Buono re-opened the once-iconic Delano Miami Beach and once again it’s setting trends.
Maud Bailly - CEO of Sofitel
Of all her luxury Sofitel brands, Maud Bailly waxes lyrically over M Gallery.
Rainer Stampfer - Four Seasons President, Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts
Rainer Stampfer, as Global President, can uniquely Four Seasons past and present
Arash Azarbarzin - Chief Executive Officer at Viceroy Hotels
Arash Azarbarzin, the dynamo regenerating Viceroy, sees hotel life as the ultimate trade.
Stephen Levins - Marketing Maestro
Marketing maestro Stephen Levins urges hotels to copy retail upselling.
Tina Edmundson - President of Luxury at Marriott International
Tina Edmundson miraculously manages Marriott Luxury’s bounty of brands.
Gilad Berenstein - Founder at Brook Bay Capital, LLC
Gilad Berenstein is the AI guru who shows that it’s our friend and there’s no need to be scared.
Puneet Chhatwal -MD & CEO at Indian Hotels Company Limited
IHCL boss Puneet Chhatwal ardently believes in the value of company-wide business meetings – as long as India’s top cricket commentator’s involved
Marco Girotto - GM Dolce Vita Orient Express
Marco Girotto thinks, breathes and lives trains, and as GM Dolce Vita Orient Express he has the ideal hospitality job – on wheels
James Lamb - CEO of Andermatt
As CEO of Andermatt, James Lamb is creating a new luxury destination, hotels included, high in the Swiss mountains
Danilo Zuchetti - Managing Director Italy presso Corinthia Hotels Limited
Danilo Zuchetti has achieved the near-impossible, overseeing the timeless new Corinthia Rome so it immediately belonged
Mali Carow - General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale
Mali Carow, in Fort Lauderdale, heads a Four Seasons hotel that thinks it’s a resort – or is it the other way around?
Veronique Delattre - General Manager Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club
Veronique Delattre’s travelled the world but she’s never felt more at than running Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club
Raj Mohan - Vice President & Managing Director JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
Raj Mohan heads the mini empire of JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa – which is all that, plus meetings, golf and a world-class waterpark (what’s his winning secret?)
Jason Montague - Chief Luxury Officer for Oceania Cruises & Regent Seven Seas Crusies
Jason Montague heads quality at sea – what are lessons for land-based hoteliers?
Kim Levenson - Director of Marketing & Sales at Hotel Rock Lititz
Kim Levenson is totally immersed in entertainment – Taylor Swift and U2 are among artists who rehearse in production areas at Hotel Rock Lititz, Pennsylvania. What’s it all like?
Alexandre Allard - tech investor, cultural disruptor, and Brazil's Entrepreneur of the Year
Alexandre Allard is a French entrepreneur who stops at nothing. His latest creation, Rosewood São Paulo, combines a former maternity hospital with, new, a Jean Nouvel tower, and eight underground floors.
Emanuela Settenberg Di Vivo - Managing Director The Vineta Hotel - Oetker Collection
Emanuela Settenberg Di Vivo shows how a centenarian can become better than new – Oetker Collection’s stunning US flagship, The Vineta Palm Beach.
Christian von Rechenberg - General Manager, Baur au Lac, Zürich
As custodian of Zurich’s family-owned Baur au Lac, Christian von Rechenberg fully appreciates the value of apprentices in today’s luxury landscape.
Olga Polizzi - The Hotel Dynasty: Inside the Forte Empire
Olga Polizzi has revolutionised luxury hotel ambience – every design feels as if it’s a Rocco Forte home and you’re a guest.
Richard Leuenberger - Managing Director Badrutt's Palace Hotel
Richard Leuenberger runs the forever-legend Badrutt’s Palace, where forever-happening innovations keep it forefront.
Christian Clerc - President & CEO of Auberge Collection
Christian Clerc knows quiet luxury is Auberge Collection’s key to success.
Joanne Selby - General Manager Intercontinental Table Bay Cape Town
Joanne Selby explains the inside-outs of rebranding what is now InterContinental Table Bay, Cape Town.
Andrew Foulkes - CEO of Hospitality at The Newt in Somerset
Andrew Foulkes, at The Newt in Somerset, rules territory that includes two hotels, world-famous gardens and orchards – and a railway creamery.
Diletta Guarino - General Manager at Six Senses Zighy Bay
At Six Senses Zighy Bay, Diletta Guarino infuses warm Italian style to northern Oman.
Luis Pinheiro - General Manager - The Silo - A Royal Portfolio property
Luis Pinheiro runs the art-filled Silo Hotel atop Cape Town’s long-established grain silos, now the Museum of Contemporary African Art.
Stuart Procter - CEO of The Beaumont
Stuart Procter, CEO of The Beaumont, London, has always believed in doing things differently.
Antonio Saponara - GM of Capella Bangkok
Antonio Saponara, GM of Capella Bangkok, arrived just as it was anonymously voted best hotel in the world – what were, and are, the challenges?
Kaya Onoran - GM of Amangalla
As GM of Amangalla, Kaya Onoran has unique challenges running an historic fort-hotel in southern Sri Lanka
Trisha Pérez Kennealy founded The Inn at Hastings Park
Inspired by her love of cooking, Trisha Pérez Kennealy founded The Inn at Hastings Park, a Relais hotel outside Boston
Michel Cottray - General Manager Hotel Martinez
Michel Cottray, as Director of Le Martinez, takes the annual Cannes film festival in his stylish stride.
Cristian Garcia - GM at SHA Mexico
Cristian Garcia lives and breathes world-class wellness as boss of SHA Mexico, near Cancun
Harish Sunassy - GM At Sofitel London Gatwick
At Sofitel London Gatwick, Harish Sunassy understands and relishes the unique challenges of running an always-busy airport hotel, at luxury level.
Joseph Colina - General Manager of Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Houstonian Joseph Colina heads Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, the grand hotel for Angkor Wat and immersion into Cambodian culture.
Christian Westbeld - Managing Director - Raffles Hotel Singapore, Regional General Manager Raffles Indonesia
At Singapore’s iconic Raffles, Christian Westbeld hosts the world’s most exclusive as well as thousands of tourists lured by Singapore Slings
Jacco Van Teeffelen - General Manager Fairmont Mayakoba
Heading Fairmont Mayakoba requires intricate knowledge of celebrations, events – and golf. Jacco Van Teeffelen still learns, every day.
Jean-Michel Gathy - Legendary Architect and Designer
Meet Jean-Michel Gathy, the Belgian-born visionary who transformed the global luxury hotel industry. From the iconic rooftop infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands to the soul of Aman Resorts, discover how the 'doyen of hospitality' uses a felt-tip pen and his 'seamless design' philosophy to create the world's most exclusive sanctuaries.
Anas Bencheqroun - General Manager Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Running the 118-floor Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong stimulates Anas Bencheqroun to be best as well as highest GM in the world.
Hugo Bedford - CEO of London-based JM Finn
Hugo Bedford, CEO of London-based JM Finn, believes financial planning is essential for everyone in hospitality, bottom up
Ludovic Cayacy - Director of Operations, Four Seasons New York Downtown
Fashion marketer Ludovic Cayacy, Manager of Four Seasons New York Downtown, moved to hospitality for better customer service
Yuriy Horovyy - Founder & CEO of Almont Group
What will the New Year bring? Mary Gostelow chats with Almont founder Yuriy Horovvy
Mary Gostelow - Luxury Travel and Hospitality Expert, Journalist, and Author
Mary Gostelow looks back over the year that still is.
Gerald Krischek - General Manager of One&Only Aesthesis
From his base at One&Only Aesthesis, Gerald Krischek considers the virtues of an urban resort
The Oppenheimer family in Washington State - Owners and Operators of Columbia Hospitality
The Washington State-based Oppenheimer family are consummate hoteliers. John, Jeni and James describe their starring Columbia Hospitality roles.
David Udell - Executive Vice President, Group President – Asia Pacific (ASPAC) for Hyatt Hotels Corporation
David Udell has a wide-ranging portfolio as Hyatt’s President Asia Pacific but he’s eternally personal and professionally grounded
Gerhard Struger - Managing Director and Regional Vice President
Gerhard Struger talks about the re-birth of a national icon – what is now Fairmont Golden Prague
Adel Mardini - President and CEO of Jetex
Twenty years since he started Jetex, Adel Mardini shows that private aviation indeed benefits from the quality found in luxury lifestyle generally.
Amruda Nair - Founder & Director of Araiya Hotels & Resorts
Amruda Nair learned lots from her grandfather but India’s current generation is making its own waves
Jason LeDoux - General Manager, The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
Jason LeDoux shows it is possible to put luxury and differentiation into a Manhattan hotel.
Christoph Henkel - London-based German billionaire businessman and entrepreneur
Christoph Henkel has great affection for his other properties but converting a former mining village to Colorado’s luxury Dunton Hot Springs mountain retreat is something special.
Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud - is a Saudi businesswoman and member of the Saudi Royal Family
Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud is putting Saudi fashion and the Kingdom’s hospitality on the world map.
Manu Sharma - Boss of Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace
As boss of Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Manu Sharma is in the thick of India’s wedding activity
Arnaud Zannier - Founder Zannier Hotels
Arnaud Zannier started his own eponymous hotel company. What are the ongoing challenges?
Geoff Toffetti - CEO of Frontline Performance Group
Geoff Toffetti specialised in service – will he share secrets to success?
Matthew Upchurch - Virtuoso Chairman and CEO
As always, words from Virtuoso wizard Matthew Upchurch are more than worth their weight in gold.
Laurent Kleitman - CEO of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group CEO Laurent Kleitman may be new to luxury hospitality but he’s shaking it up fast, with style
Charlotte Weatherall - General Manager at Corinthia London
The Corinthia London’s boss, Charlotte Weatherall, a sales and marketing superstar, magnificently manages a young family – and the forever-youthful luxury hotel
Timur Sentuerk - CEO of The Doyle Collection
Timur Sentuerk is making the family-owned Doyle Collection into a force to be reckoned with
Prue Leith - British Restaurateur, Broadcaster, Cookery Writer and Novelist.
Great British Bakeoff star Prue Leith has strong views on how hotels can do even better.
Ludo de Jong - General Manager at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
Ludo de Jong makes Dublin’s Anantara The Marker chosen luxury choice for the world’s techies.
Paolo Barletta - Italian Entrepreneur, Investor and Philanthropist
Paolo Barletta shares an update on Orient Express, the trains and hotels brand of luxury choice.
Krissada Sukosol - Thai pop singer, actor, entrepreneur and anthropologist
Thai entrepreneur and anthropologist Krissada (Noi) Sukosol combines topping movie and entertainment bills with collecting – and owning hotels.
Christian Westbeld and chef Jordan Keao from Raffles Singapore
In Singapore, Raffles’ boss Christian Westbeld and Hawaii-born celeb chef Jordan Keao double-bill talking about the hotel’s Butcher’s Block partnership.
Amy Read - Vice President of Innovation at Sabre Hospitality
Sabre’s Amy Read knows more about how AI will impact hospitality than anyone thought they’d need to know.
Anupam Dasgupta - General Manager of The Leela Palace New Delhi
Anupam Dasgupta explains the new look and enthusiasm of The Leela .
Barbara Muckermann - CEO Kempinski Group
German linguist Barbara Muckermann spent 25 years rising to the top of the cruise industry before switching to run Kempinski. How’s her new life going?
Alan Watts - President of Asia Pacific for Hilton
President of Asia Pacific for Hilton Alan Watts talks luxury – and attracting, and retaining, talent
Arun Balbani - Founder of Vivaah Weddings
Arun Balbani knows more about marriage than most – he organises many of the world’s wonderful weddings
Lindsey Ueberroth - CEO of Preferred
Lindsey Ueberroth, custodian and CEO of Preferred, widens the family-owned hospitality giant’s global impact.
Thomas Meier - CEO of Jumeirah
As CEO of Jumeirah, Thomas Meier not only elevates its Dubai home-base status but increasingly looks worldwide end
Luis Olarra - Michelin-Starred Chef
With the help of Finca Cortesin’s owner, chef Luis Olarra conceived the resort’s Japanese restaurant – and it works like a dream.
Sheetal Singh - GM of Taj Exotica Goa
Said to be young, determined and fearless, Sheetal Singh, GM of Taj Exotica Goa, talks ayurveda and more
Jeroen Elmendorp - General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
Jeroen Elmendorp knows the secret of professional eternal youth – The Ritz-Carlton Dubai can more than keep up with the newbies.
Patrick Farrell - GM Viceroy Bali
Is Bali as exotic as it sounds? Viceroy GM Patrick Farrell shares the real story
Maud Bailly - CEO of the Sofitel and other Accor beauties
Maud Bailly has the whole world of Sofitel in her hands, and she brings a fresh eye
Jorge Manzur - General Manager en Anantara Villa Padierna
At Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort, Jorge Manzur insists passion is answer to anything.
