Episode 019: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Most Luxurious Hotels
Oetker Collection’s Simon Neggers on Building a Legacy of Excellence
Reading time: About 3 minutes
Timeless Icons of Elegance
Hello everyone! This week, I’m beyond excited to welcome Simon Neggers to the show. Simon is the Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Communications for Oetker Collection, a family-run organization renowned for its masterpiece hotels in the world’s most coveted destinations. I've known Simon for over a decade—we first worked together at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and after the company’s acquisition, he became my boss at Marriott International. His journey through the luxury hospitality world is nothing short of inspiring, and I can’t wait for you to hear his story.
Why should you listen?
Warning: Listening to Simon talk about Oetker Collection’s stunning array of properties might inspire wanderlust. In addition to making you want to book a vacation, here are a few other highlights from our chat:
A Butler’s Training Ground: Working as a butler at The St. Regis New York provided Simon with an unparalleled foundation in precision, empathy, and guest understanding—skills that have shaped his hospitality career. Lucky for us all, he shares one of his favorite stories from that time on this episode.
The Power of Relationships in Hospitality: Simon believes that success in this industry isn’t just about experience—it’s about relationships. Hear his take on the role of mentorship within the industry, including a shout-out to a few of his most influential mentors.
The Nuances of Hospitality Across Cities: Having lived in New York, London and now, Paris, Simon highlights what each city does uniquely well. But what does he see as their common thread? The timeless art of making guests feel looked after.
The Joy of Being Present: One of Simon’s simplest yet most profound takeaways is his ability to truly enjoy wherever he is. It’s a reminder that embracing the present—rather than worrying about what’s next—can lead to greater happiness. And clearly in Simon’s case, success.
Favorite Quote from the Episode: On what hospitality means to him- “Being looked after… Being listened to. The listening part is crucial.”
Apple Podcasts:
Spotify:
YouTube:
Last Week on Suite Success
If you haven’t listened already, make sure to tune in to last week’s episode, featuring Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, Bestselling Author and TEDx sensation. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Until next time…
By the way, have you snagged your ticket to the third annual Level Up Your Listing Summit yet? It’s taking place in Phoenix, Arizona from March 9 - 11, and you can use code SUITESUCCESS to get 10% off.
Finally, I’ve set a crazy goal to reach 100 five-star reviews for the podcast on both Apple and Spotify. If you have 1 minute to rate the show, it would mean the world to me!
Until next week, here’s to your suite success.
xx Katie
I want to hear from you! Message me @SuiteSuccessPodcast on your favorite social network, or visit SuiteSuccessPodcast.com to send me a note. Thank you!