Colin Nagy

The power of a great lobby is a huge differentiator in hospitality. Hotels shouldn't forget its power. In fact, they should double down.

Abu Dhabi has a long way to go to become a destination and not just a stopover. Here are some ideas.

In a world where actual connection is more important than ever as a technology backlash looms, how can travel brands create more human experiences through addictive shared spaces?

While we sometimes focus our adulation in other spheres such as startups and their founders, hoteliers need to be recognized for the hidden creativity that goes into doing their jobs well.

Experience and sustainability are losing their equity as more brands cynically pile on. These are examples of emerging, global brands with depth to their practices. Intrepid travelers should take note.

To avoid the sugar high and then the inevitable crash when launching a new property, brands need to adopt a mindset of reciprocity and be a participant, and not a drain on the artistic ecosystem of a city.

Voice will change the current travel marketing funnel much faster than we think. Savvy marketers and technologists should begin thinking about ways to make an impact on this burgeoning channel.

It takes old-school hospitality expertise and new-school marketing hustle to create a cult property from scratch. Nihi Sumba Island seems to be the culmination of both, plus it has the right capital and vision.

Here is a list of inspiring hospitality experiences and properties to consider for 2018 travels. The selections are tied together by each property's vision, uniqueness, and focus on guest experience.

In the rush to smash together retail and hotels, brands have to focus on doing this with a lot of care and intention. Sometimes a brand just isn't that important.