#322: Boutique Service, Authentic Design, and Cultivating Hospitality’s Future | David Bowd of Salt Hotels — The Modern Hotelier

In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with David Bowd, co-founder and owner of Salt Hotels, for a candid conversation about hospitality, leadership, design, service, and the future of independent hotels.

David shares how growing up in a small village in Staffordshire, England, and working in a local pub sparked his passion for hospitality. He also talks about leaving school at 16, discovering that the kitchen wasn’t for him, and building a career that would take him through some of the most influential lifestyle hotels in the world, including St. Martin’s Lane and Sanderson, as well as working alongside hospitality icons Ian Schrager and André Balazs.

David explains why he founded Salt Hotels and the philosophy behind combining thoughtful design, personalized service, and a strong sense of place. He also shares why memorable hotels are ultimately created by people—not just beautiful spaces—and tells a powerful story about turning a hotel disaster into an unforgettable guest experience.

In this episode, we discuss:

The philosophy behind Salt Hotels
Why people and service create memorable hotel experiences
How independent hotels can build visibility and commercial success
AI’s role in hospitality and the importance of human connection
Why every hotel should feel connected to its location

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gB-NcS4Aj18

This episode is sponsored by Sip Tea: https://sip-tea-path.com/

Links:
David Bowd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbowd/
Salt Hotels: https://www.salthotels.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/322

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.