What Ian Schrager, Andre Balazs & Philippe Starck Taught Her About Hotels That Feel Different (with Erin Hosler)

Picture this: a candlelit living room in New York, a guest list cast like a film, and a host who knows exactly who should meet whom—and why. That’s Erin Hosler. Before she checks a rate code or a P&L, she curates people. She trained at The Ritz-Carlton before the Marriott acquisition. Learned stagecraft under Ian Schrager. Honed the five-senses playbook with Andre Balazs. Sharpened her eye alongside Philippe Starck. Then led chapters at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach; THE WELL in New York; Eaton DC; and Soho House Austin. Her take is simple: the last real moat isn’t marble or mixology. It’s training.   Why this matters for independents: Turn choreography into rituals your team can actually repeat. Make being known beat being “bonvoyed.” Design around human behavior, not developer spreadsheets. Let tech automate the admin—never the moment. We’ll talk membership energy and that feeling of “home on demand,” then get painfully practical—guest history, uniforms that fit, and managers who coach. If you’ve ever wondered how a latte placed at the right table, at the right time, by the right person can outperform any brand campaign—this one’s for you. Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Erin.   Connect with Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhosler/   Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.