32 square feet never looked so good

Numbers with soul, networks that work, career sites that don’t scare talent—this week, we’ve got a trifecta of tips. Strategic asset management keeps your property profitable and charming, active hospitality communities keep ideas (and bookings) flowing and your career page? Let’s keep it from sending top candidates packing, shall we? Short, sweet and actionable—your weekly hospitality fix starts here.

But first: the six hospitality trends you should have your eye on right now.

Bordering on creepy. Where should hoteliers draw the line with AI when it comes to the privacy guests expect once they’ve closed their room doors? 

What? Like it's hard? If you’re looking for a little more legal insight than what Elle Woods has to offer, HospitalityLawyer.com is a worldwide network of attorneys that focuses on hospitality, travel and tourism issues, including key state law updates you should know about.  

Payments on autopilot. Handling payments eats up more time than it should. RMS Pay is now available in the United States and Canada to automate everything from pre-authorizations to reconciliation. 

Your guests are “your stock and trade.” In a candid conversation with Emily Goldfischer, industry titan Jonathan Tisch reflects on 45 years shaping Loews Hotels from the inside out.

It’s tricky. Investing in hotels isn’t without its hurdles this year, thanks to uncertainty and rising rates. Still, JLL points to luxury and urban markets as bright spots for H2 2025.

Design engineered for performance

Every square foot in a hotel counts—especially when each guestroom is only 32 sq. ft. At Now Now NoHo in New York City, designers have turned tight sleeper capsules into streamlined, functional havens layered with efficiency and style. Quite simply, it's operational elegance.

Why it matters: Now Now NoHo’s pod-style rooms, designed like a hybrid between a capsule hotel and a design-forward hostel, deliver essential amenities in a compact, well-considered layout. Thoughtful shared-but-lockable bathrooms streamline maintenance while offering upscale appeal, enhancing performance without costly room-by-room complexity. Prioritizing form and function allows operators to run more efficiently and make every inch of the property pull its weight. (Wallpaper) 

Above: A Now Now NoHo pod-style room. (Courtesy Now Now NoHo)

Your career site probably needs work

Today’s job seekers aren’t just scanning job boards—they’re checking you out directly. The latest Hireology + AHLA study shows 41% of candidates visit a hotel’s career site first to size up culture and fit. That means your site is doing double duty as both recruiter and brand ambassador.

Why it matters: Labor costs and turnover hit the bottom line faster than almost any other expense, so think of your site as a frontline recruiting tool and a direct driver of staffing success. Highlighting real benefits, growth opportunities and your property’s values positions you competitively against bigger brands, while mobile-friendly access ensures you don’t lose strong applicants who are job hunting on the go. In this crazy labor market, treating your career site as a strategic asset safeguards your staffing pipeline and strengthens long-term profitability. (Hireology)

Managing soul on the P&L

Every hotel tells a story, but the real returns come from how that story is managed behind the scenes. Strategic asset management brings clarity to the numbers while protecting the soul of the property, and that balance is where lasting value is built.

Why it matters: Independent hotels thrive when operations, brand and guest experience all pull in the same direction, and asset management makes that alignment possible. With the right guidance, investors gain sharper visibility into performance, tighter cost control and stronger revenue strategies tailored to each property. Transparent scorecards and data-rich reporting keep owners in the loop and ahead of market shifts—preserving what makes boutique properties special while still driving returns. For investors who want both financial growth and a property that resonates with guests, asset management is the lever that makes it happen. (Hospitality Investor)

Birds of a feather

Hospitality is always moving forward, and so should you. This people-first business applies just as much to the pros behind the scenes as it does to the guests out front. Leaders who thrive are the ones who chase fresh ideas, keep sharpening their skills and lean on communities that provide the momentum to grow.

Why it matters: Running an independent hotel can feel like a solo act, but real growth never happens in isolation. Active hospitality communities keep you learning, connecting and refining your craft. The exchange of real-world insights—whether it’s boosting guest experience or tightening operations—helps you avoid missteps and accelerate progress. You also build a network that’s ready to support you when challenges inevitably pop up. (The Hotel General Manager) 

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Mint Pillow is curated and written by Jennifer Glatt and edited by Lesley McKenzie.