.png&w=3840&q=85)
Real conversations for innovative hoteliers
Matt Welle ran hotels. Now he runs Mews. In each episode, Matt shares his experience and talks to hospitality leaders to reveal the secrets behind the most successful properties in the industry.
Follow and subscribe to Matt Talks Hospitality
About the show
Matt Talks Hospitality is a podcast for hoteliers who want to understand the technology, ideas and people shaping modern hospitality. Hosted by Mews CEO Matt Welle, each episode explores the tools, challenges and decisions behind how hotels work – and how they keep getting better.
Follow and subscribe to Matt Talks Hospitality
All episodes
EP 46
September 11, 2025
The art of unscripted hospitality with Dina Belon
What happens when you hire for personality? That’s how Staypineapple built a culture where staff aren’t afraid to be themselves at the front desk, where genuine interactions win over guests and where hospitality feels authentic, not scripted. The hotel group’s president Dina Belon explains how that same culture kept the staff resilient when Staypineapple overhauled most of its tech stack – PMS, POS, CRM, housekeeping and guest communication tools.
32 min
EP 38
July 14, 2025
What hoteliers can learn from serving at Wimbledon
Matt doesn’t usually talk sports, but Wimbledon made him break his own rule. In this episode, he looks at how the tournament’s mix of tradition, innovation and excellence mirrors serving in hospitality. Anticipating needs before they appear. Turning every detail into a moment guests remember. Building dedicated teams and performing under pressure. Hotels and tennis might look different, yet they share a lot of the same values. Tune in.
22 min
EP 37
July 9, 2025
Hotel pricing and revenue strategies shaped by data
Hotels love to talk data. But what does that look like in making pricing and revenue decisions? In this episode, Matt sits down with Henry Blackman, Director of Product GTM Strategy at Mews, to talk about data and testing as a fuel for smarter revenue strategies. They break down why you don’t need perfect data to act and why knowing your guests is the foundation of good pricing and packaging.
31 min
EP 36
July 2, 2025
How to run your hotel with fewer staff
It’s a time when hotels are short on staff. Costs are up. Talent’s scarce. How do you keep things running without burning out your team – or affecting the guest experience? In this episode, Matt gets into the real talk: what actually works when you have to do more with less and which parts of the job are best handled by technology and AI.
30 min
EP 35
June 25, 2025
Creating a home away from home for guests
Ett Hem, a beautiful hotel in Sweden, is one of Matt's favorites and for good reason. Ever stayed at a hotel that feels like home? Creating a homey feeling for guests is top priority for Ett Hem. Matt talks to Nicole Torbiörnsson, Director of Sales and Reservations at the hotel, who shares what their staff does to turn every stay into something personal and memorable.
18 min
EP 30
May 22, 2025
Hotel jobs of the future
The hospitality industry is undergoing a shift as technology and AI reshape traditional roles. Positions like night auditors and reservation agents are changing. This week Matt caught up with George Barker, Senior Director of Communications, to see what it takes to thrive in this new reality.
26 min
EP 29
May 16, 2025
Richard and Matt on the history of Mews
Before Mews was a global platform, it was a bold idea on a wall in a Prague apartment. In this special episode, Matt and Mews founder Richard Valtr takes us back to where it all began and what still drives Mews today. And yes, the story behind the name Mews is finally revealed.
53 min
EP 28
May 8, 2025
9 ways pop culture can inspire your hospitality
What can hospitality learn from superstars like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift? In this episode, Matt uses his love of pop culture to tell you about 9 ways the entertainment industry can inspire hospitality to build better guest experiences.
28 min
EP 27
May 1, 2025
Best hotel website strategies
Matt sits down with Michael Fitzsimmons, VP of Growth at Mews, to talk about how hotel websites function as digital business cards. They explore how structure, content and design influence whether a website visitor converts into a paying guest.
40 min
EP 25
April 17, 2025
Macro trends and their impact on travel
In these days of macro uncertainty, there are a lot of unknown in travel. Matt sits down with Wouter Geerts, Director of Market Research and Intelligence at Mews, to talk about the state of the global economy, what consumer sentiment could mean for travel demand and what hoteliers need to be thinking about today.
27 min
EP 22
March 28, 2025
Best hospitality investment strategies
Matt catches up with Joe Pettigrew, a commercial leader in hospitality and CCO at L+R Hotels, to chat about what’s shaping hotel investment right now – from value-add plays to private capital and exit strategies. They get into guest types, loyalty without the points game and what hotels should be thinking about for 2025.
35 min
EP 20
March 14, 2025
The future of work and hospitality
Rogier Braakman, founder of Mr. Green Boutique Office Collection joins Matt to talk co-working, sustainability, and how hospitality can build greener communities. They explore how integrating sustainable practices can enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency in hospitality.
49 min
EP 19
March 4, 2025
5 strategies for hotel revenue growth
In this episode, we explore five powerful ways hoteliers can increase their revenue. Matt talks diversifying revenue streams, optimizing smart pricing strategies, leveraging revenue management technology, protecting your profits and key strategies you can start implementing today.
38 min
EP 15
February 6, 2025
The art of upselling in hospitality
Upselling is an important part of any hotel's revenue strategy but, as Matt knows from first-hand experience, it can be awkward for staff and guests. This week, he explores the best opportunities to upsell, how to leverage technology to be more successful, how to make it feel natural - and even personalized, and the importance of training teams to succeed and feel confident.
25 min
EP 14
January 31, 2025
Hiring, retaining and motivating staff
Matt sits down with Mews Chief People Officer, Naomi Trickey, to talk employer branding, staffing and growth. They explore the importance of offering engaging work, exciting career paths and up-skilling individuals while emphasizing the value of hiring the right people for your business. Discover how Naomi builds her team with creative strategies to attract new talent.
48 min
EP 12
January 7, 2026
Hospitality's big bets for 2025 and beyond
It’s time to reflect on industry trends and plan budgets for the year ahead. This session of Matt Talks will spotlight four key global trends set to shape the hospitality sector: AI adoption, shifting staff productivity, reduced reliance on OTAs and a move into unexpected property types. We hope this information will equip you with the information you need to plan for a successful and prosperous 2025.
24 min
Hospitality hot takes straight to your inbox
Subscribe to our newsletter