Housekeeping Didn't Come
Lessons from the road, the classroom, and the minibar.
Welcome to Housekeeping Didn’t Come — where hospitality, adventure, and a little chaos all check in for the night.
Hosted by Rob W. Powell, former casino exec, improv comic, mountaineer, and hospitality professor (aka the Indiana Jones of hospitality education), this podcast dives into the wild, weird, and wonderfully human side of the hospitality world. From luxury lodges to national park cabins, cruise ships to classroom chaos, we explore what it really takes to deliver unforgettable guest experiences—and what happens when things go hilariously off script.
Whether you're a student, a hospitality pro, a curious traveler, or just here for the stories, you'll find something to love. Expect candid interviews, bite-sized insights, unforgettable blunders, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from years in the trenches (and a few nights without housekeeping).
So grab a coffee (or a cocktail), and join Rob as he unpacks the business of making people feel welcome, even when the bed isn’t made.
Housekeeping Didn't Come
Adventure Hospitality: Where Memories Meet Higher Margins S1E2
The hospitality industry is shifting from selling services to selling memorable experiences as guests seek stories to share rather than just rooms to stay in. Adventure Hospitality exemplifies this trend with guests willing to pay premium prices for unique, Instagram-worthy experiences that create lasting memories and higher profit margins.
• The modern guest doesn't want just a hotel room but a weekend getaway
• Even mid-scale properties can capitalize on the experience economy
• Staff storytelling, thoughtful design, and local partnerships create meaningful connections
• Understanding guest psychology is as important as understanding business models
• Experiences drive loyalty, and loyalty drives revenue
• Your product in 2025 is the story guests tell after they leave
Next time we'll explore what's driving the Adventure Hospitality boom and where the opportunities are.
Welcome back to Housekeeping Didn't Come Today. I want to start with a phrase that's getting a lot of attention the experience economy. Now, if you're in hospitality, this isn't news. We've always been talking about the business of experiences, but today's guests want actually, they expect something more than just good service. They want a story to tell. Think about it. They don't want a hotel room, they want a weekend getaway. They don't want a restaurant meal, they want a memory, and they don't want to just hike, they want to summit mountains. And this is where Adventure Hospitality is absolutely exploding. Guests are willing to pay more for unique experiences, authentic local culture, personalization, behind-the-scenes access and story-worthy moments. And here's the kicker when you deliver those experiences, you're not just creating happy customers, you're creating higher margins.
Speaker 1:Think of luxury safaris, national park lodges, expedition cruises or boutique hotels that feel like hidden gems. These operators aren't just selling beds and meals. They're selling curated, memorable, instagram-worthy experiences. But it's not just for luxury. Even mid-scale hotels, campgrounds and adventure outfitters can capitalize on this trend. It's about staff storytelling, thoughtful design of their physical plant, local partnerships, activities that connect guests to place. This is what we're teaching at the University of Arkansas Hospitality Management Program. You've got to understand the business model, but you also have to understand guest psychology. At the end of the day, experiences drive loyalty, loyalty drives revenue. I'll leave you with one simple question what story are your guests telling after they leave? Because in 2025, that is your product. Thanks for joining me. Next time we'll dive into Adventure Hospitality itself what's driving the boom and where the opportunities are.