Ski Trip - Monica Cuervo on the Limelight Hotel Mammoth and the LA Hospitality Market

Building LA

In this episode we get out of town for the weekend and go to Mammoth to discuss The Limelight Hotel Mammoth with the Managing Director of WATG's LA office, Monica Cuervo. We dive into the company's rich history and its role in designing 5-star resorts across the globe. WATG was founded in Honolulu in 1945 and is now renowned for pioneering hospitality tourism and modern luxury travel experiences. In our conversation, Monica discusses the company's evolution, WATG's response to travelers' changing preferences, and the development of the Limelight Hotel Mammoth.

The development of the Limelight Hotel Mammoth is characterized by its dedication to sustainability and a connection to the outdoors. Monica explains the unique challenges in creating such a one-of-a-kind hotel and the opportunities it presents for setting new standards for innovative and eco-friendly hospitality experiences. The project is also a testament to WATG's commitment to preserving cultural authenticity in hotel design, which is a core value of the company.

Monica shares her perspective on the growing trend of young architects embracing collaboration, the post-pandemic hospitality industry, and the increasing popularity of niche experiences catering to specific interests and cultures.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• WATG's history and Monica’s role as Managing Director of the LA office
• The evolution of luxury travel experiences, and where we stand today
• How WATG is embracing new technology such as AI and VR to enhance their process
• The post-pandemic growth of the hospitality industry and the experience economy
• Personalization, a desire for community, and niche travel experiences
• The state of the LA Hospitality market, and the focus on hotel retrofits ahead of the World Cup and Olympics
• The Limelight Hotel development in Mammoth Lakes, California
• The challenges, opportunities, and excitement behind the hotel’s sustainable design
• Building a team for unique and specific projects

Guest Info:

• Connect with Monica on LinkedIn
• Learn more about WATG on watg.com

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