In this episode of No Vacancy Live, Anthony Melchiorri and I sit down with Charlie Lopez, VP & Managing Director of ETC Hotels, the group behind the iconic Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Together, we explore what true luxury means in today’s hospitality climate — and why it’s more relaxed, more local, and more personalized than ever.
🌴 Here’s what you’ll get from this high-level conversation:
• Why "California cool" is redefining global luxury standards
• How major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics are shaping Santa Monica's future
• The shift from stuffy opulence to laid-back, personalized service (and why guests expect both access and autonomy)
• The power of hyper-local partnerships to enrich guest experiences
• Why daily team standups are a non-negotiable in luxury operations
• How ETC is thriving without a big brand flag — and why it’s freeing
• Mentorship, staff training, and how to “raise people in this business”
• What makes the concierge (and guest relations) your hotel's ultimate power duo
💡 Bonus: Why today’s top hoteliers are teaching staff how to think, not just follow SOPs.
🔊 Special thanks to our sponsor: Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit them at Actabl.com
#NoVacancyNews #LuxuryHospitality
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.