How to Build a Boutique Hotel That Feels Like It’s Always Been There

Bobby Quintal (0:00)

Being in a social environment where not only was something delicious being presented in front of me, and this goes into everything that we do now that I think about it, the way I would feel during these experiences is what made me want to always have the next version. And my mother was a fantastic cook, so it's not like we went out to dinner because we didn't eat at home. We ate at home as well, but multiple times a week, my parents just loved going out to eat. And that really, you know, stoked the flames in me of saying, you know, this is a career path that I think would be really interesting.

Zach Busekrus (0:45)

Welcome to Behind the Stays, a podcast that shares the stories behind your favorite boutique hotels, short-term rentals and hospitality brands, and the hosts, operators and entrepreneurs who've brought them to life. Every Tuesday and Friday, you'll meet the military veterans, the retired flight attendants, the tech entrepreneurs, the school teachers, the single moms, the hoteliers, and real estate investors, who are all in their own unique ways, shaping the future of travel and hospitality. Discover how these visionaries from all over the world have built stunning landscape hotels in the mountains, designed bohemian bungalows on the beach, erected eclectic, off-grid nature-immersed escapes, and so much more. Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey, a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world's top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, tree houses, ski chalets, glamping experiences, and so much more. And I'm your host, Zach Busekrus, head of the Journey Alliance. All right, friends, without further ado, enjoy the show.

In just a moment, we meet Bobby Quintal, a partner at Sandstone Hospitality. Some people enter hospitality by accident. Others are born into it, raised at tables where the meal was just the beginning of the experience. Bobby is one of those individuals. Hospitality isn't just a career for Bobby, it's a lifelong passion shaped by growing up in New Orleans, one of the most culturally rich and culinary-driven cities in the world. From his early days working in restaurants to leading development for Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, one of the most highly regarded restaurant groups in the world, Bobby has spent his career crafting memorable spaces that blend food, design and storytelling. Now as a partner at Sandstone Hospitality, Bobby is helping redefine boutique hotels, breathing new life into historic properties like The Columns, building brand new destinations like Hotel Henrietta, and weaving FMB forward hospitality into every project. In this episode, we dive into how growing up in New Orleans shaped Bobby's view on hospitality. We discuss lessons from working with Danny Meyer and Union Square Hospitality Group, and how legendary brands like Shake Shack built an empire by prioritizing emotion over transactions. We talk about reinventing The Columns Hotel, how Bobby and his team transformed a fading New Orleans institution into a must-visit experience. We talk about the delicate art of new builds versus historic renovations, why the best designers listen to the story a space already wants to tell instead of forcing a new narrative onto it. We talk about how Sandstone weaves F&B into every project creatively. We also talk about why smaller cities with Seoul are the next frontier of experiential hotels. And so much more. You guys are going to love this conversation with Bobby. He is an incredible storyteller. Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Bobby. All right, Bobby, we are live. Welcome to the show, man. How are you doing today?

Bobby Quintal (3:43)

I'm doing great. Thanks so much for having me. Super, super excited to be with you.

Zach Busekrus (3:47)

Well, I am equally excited, and I have so many questions for you. You have done so many different interesting things in your career. And there's, when I was thinking about the questions I wanted to prepare for this chat, it was actually really hard because you've dabbled in so many different areas, from development, from working in restaurants, to do boutique hotels, and really like everything in between. You've gotten to work for some of the most respected brands in this space. Now you guys are piloting really your own portfolio and growing those into some of the most reputable brands in the industry. So it's just an honor to chat with you, man. And I actually wanted to start the conversation by just hearing a little bit about your story. So you grew up, you were born and raised in New Orleans, which is one of the most dynamic, interesting, culturally rich cities in the US., if not the world. What was it like growing up in New Orleans?