22 globaltravelerusa.com MARCH 2019
PHOTO: © DREAM HOLLYWOODone on one
Name: Ayo Akinsete
Title: Managing director/vice president of operations
Company, city: Dream Hollywood; Los Angeles, California
Number of employees: 250
Recent project: Dream Hollywood
First job: Football player for West Ham United in the U.K.
Little-known fact about you: I love music; sometimes people call me a juke-
box. I DJ as a hobby.YOUR BUSINESS
What innovations/initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next
years?
With recent findings about the impact of industries on the environment
and the volatility in weather trends, I think we will see hotel companies truly
establish their commitment to eco-friendly, sustainable methods of operating
and building hotels. Companies will revisit the building materials and become
more discerning about the amount of plastic used on property, finding options
that don’t compromise the guest experience. Luxury and sustainability are not
mutually exclusive.
Best career advice you’ve received: If you make a mistake, quickly own it and
apologize.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field? Work harder
than everyone, do the right thing and do the job you want to get before get-
ting that job. Lastly, watch your peers and learn from their mistakes. This has
always served me well.AS A TRAVELER
Favorite travel memory or story: When I traveled to Positano with my wife this
summer, surreal beauty surrounded us everywhere. Wander the narrow roads
in this colorful vertical village lined with bougainvillea and lemon trees, andalmost anywhere you stand you see the Tyrrhenian Sea. And I must mention
the incredible food and Aperol spritzes.
One travel tip you cannot live without: Email the hotel directly for any needs;
email the general manager if you can get the information. Typically, the best
hotels try to be as accommodating as possible. We are here to serve, so why
not reach out?
Best advice for business travelers: Get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, and
email your preferences. If you travel to the same city frequently, find a hotel
you love and stay loyal. They will typically take great care of you: upgrades, early
check-in, late check-out. If something goes wrong during your stay, speak with
the GM. If you come to L.A., stay at Dream Hollywood.ABOUT YOUR BRAND
Tell our readers about the philosophy of Dream Hotel Group. Selling hotel
beds is secondary to what Dream really does. We sell an immersive experi-
ence that creates amazing memories for guests to share with other people.
The onus is on us to give them a story worth telling. If we execute on part one,
then the rooms sell as by-product. There are so many well-designed hotels,
but many lack soul. Our staffs give our hotels a soul and personality; guests
want to feel special and welcomed, something only great staff can provide.
Our management serves our employees as well as our guests. If management
prioritizes taking care of its employees, it becomes second nature to take good
care of guests.What can premium travelers expect from the hotel group in 2019? Dream
Nashville opened in February in the city’s historic Printers Alley. Beautifully
designed by architects Meyer Davis Studio and developed by 4PANT LLC in
partnership with Dream Hotel Group, Dream Nashville represents a driving
force in the ongoing restoration and revitalization of downtown Nashville. The
168-room hotel features 21 suites and six experiential dining and nightlife
venues, offering extensive programming for both hotel guests and locals.Dream Hotel Group includes a number of brands. Tell us about each.
Dream Hotel Group believes forward-thinking design, service and guest experi-
ences should be available across all market segments.
Dream Hotels, our upper-upscale lifestyle brand, offers individually curated
properties whose designs are informed by their locales through world-renowned
architects and interior designers. The stay experience is well-suited to the dis-
cerning traveler who seeks comfort in a truly cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Time Hotels caters to a clientele looking for progressively designed spaces and
forward-thinking dining options in centrally located cities. Boutique in ethos regard-
less of room count, Time Hotels delivers an evolved space between luxury and
lifestyle, a streamlined approach to the upper-upscale segment.
The Chatwal offers bespoke experiences, impeccable world-class interiors,
serene wellness components, the finest haute cuisine and wines, and a deep
understanding of local cultures to provide highly personalized and distin-
guished 5-star luxury hospitality in the world’s most desired locales.
Unscripted is a new hospitality concept for the progressive, creative trav-
eler, focusing on smaller, secondary cities and emerging markets worldwide.
Powered by a philosophy that travel should be an adventure and not a routine,
Unscripted adapts to each location, offering beautifully designed, highly acti-
vated spaces that meet the needs of both its guests and its home cities.AYO AKINSETE
Managing Director/Vice President of Operations, Dream Hollywood