The Gstaad Guy Podcast

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, to explore how modern luxury hospitality is evolving from hotel stays into fully immersive destinations. As the driving force behind brands such as One&Only, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds, Philippe shares how unlocking extraordinary locations and designing once-in-a-lifetime experiences requires both discipline and imagination. From selecting destinations to shaping brand emotion and storytelling, he reflects on what it takes to define the future while preserving exclusivity, privacy, and trust.

The conversation dives into the shifting expectations of a multi-generational, highly discerning clientele and why luxury today is about anticipating guest needs before they are spoken. Philippe discusses health and wellness stays, sports and longevity, mindfulness, and the growing demand for meaningful escapes that enhance how time is spent. They explore decision-making in private companies, curating experiences beyond the traditional hotel model, and the added value of personalisation in a world saturated with options. A thoughtful look at comfort, adventure, innovation, and the evolving relationship between brand and guest, revealing how true luxury is not excess, but precision.

Filmed in the One&Only One Za’abeel Royal Suite.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(02:02) Kerzner International Ecosystem 🌍🏨

(11:46) Decision Making 🧠⚖️

(12:30) Private vs. Public Companies 🔒🏢

(15:30) Selecting Destinations 📍✨

(21:26) Success By Design 🎯📐

(22:21) Destination Selection Process 🗺️🔍

(29:08) Defining The Future 🔮🚀

(30:36) Discerned Customers 👁️💎

(32:56) Health & Wellness Approach 🌿🧘‍♂️

(40:52) Target Clientele 🎯👥

(43:37) Understanding Your Desires ❤️🔍

(50:41) Sports & Longevity 🏃‍♂️⏳

(53:07) Montana 🏔️🌲

(53:30) Escapes & Retreats 🌅🏕️

(55:08) Curating Experiences 🎨✨

(1:01:03) How Time Is Spent ⏳📊

(1:03:47) Hotel Bar 🍸🏨

(1:05:15) Understanding The Consumer 🧠👥

(1:10:18) Demand & Consumption 📈🔄

(1:17:54) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, to explore how modern luxury hospitality is evolving from hotel stays into fully immersive destinations. As the driving force behind brands such as One&Only, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds, Philippe shares how unlocking extraordinary locations and designing once-in-a-lifetime experiences requires both discipline and imagination. From selecting destinations to shaping brand emotion and storytelling, he reflects on what it takes to define the future while preserving exclusivity, privacy, and trust.
The conversation dives into the shifting expectations of a multi-generational, highly discerning clientele and why luxury today is about anticipating guest needs before they are spoken. Philippe discusses health and wellness stays, sports and longevity, mindfulness, and the growing demand for meaningful escapes that enhance how time is spent. They explore decision-making in private companies, curating experiences beyond the traditional hotel model, and the added value of personalisation in a world saturated with options. A thoughtful look at comfort, adventure, innovation, and the evolving relationship between brand and guest, revealing how true luxury is not excess, but precision.
Filmed in the One&Only One Za’abeel Royal Suite.

Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️
(02:02) Kerzner International Ecosystem 🌍🏨
(11:46) Decision Making 🧠⚖️
(12:30) Private vs. Public Companies 🔒🏢
(15:30) Selecting Destinations 📍✨
(21:26) Success By Design 🎯📐
(22:21) Destination Selection Process 🗺️🔍
(29:08) Defining The Future 🔮🚀
(30:36) Discerned Customers 👁️💎
(32:56) Health & Wellness Approach 🌿🧘‍♂️
(40:52) Target Clientele 🎯👥
(43:37) Understanding Your Desires ❤️🔍
(50:41) Sports & Longevity 🏃‍♂️⏳
(53:07) Montana 🏔️🌲
(53:30) Escapes & Retreats 🌅🏕️
(55:08) Curating Experiences 🎨✨
(1:01:03) How Time Is Spent ⏳📊
(1:03:47) Hotel Bar 🍸🏨
(1:05:15) Understanding The Consumer 🧠👥
(1:10:18) Demand & Consumption 📈🔄
(1:17:54) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Gstaad Guy sits down with James Ferragamo, Chief Product Officer at Salvatore Ferragamo, to explore how a century-old family business continues to evolve without losing its soul. From Florence and the historic halls of Palazzo Spini Feroni to working closely with artisans and creative teams, James reflects on joining the family business, navigating generational dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with stewarding a global luxury house. He shares how values, governance, and thoughtful risk-taking shape long-term decision making, and why the Italian approach to luxury has always centred around craftsmanship, beauty, and human connection.
The conversation dives into balancing tradition and innovation, sustainability, and diversification while staying attuned to consumer needs and cultural relevance. James discusses diversity, equity, and belonging, the influence of iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn on Ferragamo’s legacy, and how craftsmanship becomes a product of culture as much as technique. They also explore leadership across generations, time management, and finding space to do what you love while building something that lasts, culminating in reflections on Ferragamo’s 100-year anniversary and the enduring difference between the what and the why.
Filmed at Salvatore Ferragamo’s head office in Florence.

Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️
(01:53) Ferragamo HQ 🏛️👞
(02:21) Palazzo Spini Feroni 🏰✨
(03:17) Becoming A Shoemaker 👞🛠️
(04:54) Family Dynamics 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦🔄
(06:22) Florentine Businesses 🇮🇹🏛️
(08:21) Ferragamo Today 👞✨
(11:50) Luxury The Italian Way 🇮🇹💎
(14:52) Tradition & Innovation 🕰️⚙️
(17:35) Sustainability 🌱♻️
(19:30) Value For Customers 🤝💫
(22:20) Men’s Shoes 👞👔
(24:18) Family Business 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🏢
(29:25) Generational Work 🧬⏳
(32:00) Joining The Family Business 🚪👞
(32:58) Luxury Businesses 💼💎
(36:01) Diversification 🌐🔀
(42:35) Priorities At Home & Work ⚖️🏡
(45:33) Time Management ⏰📋
(47:55) Problem Solving 🧩💡
(51:10) Developing Governance 🏛️📑
(54:13) The Fashion Pact 🤝🌍
(56:17) Consumer Touch Points 👆✨
(1:00:36) 100 Year Anniversary 🎉💯
(1:01:54) The What vs. The Why ❓🎯
(1:05:00) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Gstaad Guy sits down with James Ferragamo, Chief Product Officer at Salvatore Ferragamo, to explore how a century-old family business continues to evolve without losing its soul. From Florence and the historic halls of Palazzo Spini Feroni to working closely with artisans and creative teams, James reflects on joining the family business, navigating generational dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with stewarding a global luxury house. He shares how values, governance, and thoughtful risk-taking shape long-term decision making, and why the Italian approach to luxury has always centred around craftsmanship, beauty, and human connection.

The conversation dives into balancing tradition and innovation, sustainability, and diversification while staying attuned to consumer needs and cultural relevance. James discusses diversity, equity, and belonging, the influence of iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn on Ferragamo’s legacy, and how craftsmanship becomes a product of culture as much as technique. They also explore leadership across generations, time management, and finding space to do what you love while building something that lasts, culminating in reflections on Ferragamo’s 100-year anniversary and the enduring difference between the what and the why.

Filmed at Salvatore Ferragamo’s head office in Florence.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:53) Ferragamo HQ 🏛️👞

(02:21) Palazzo Spini Feroni 🏰✨

(03:17) Becoming A Shoemaker 👞🛠️

(04:54) Family Dynamics 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦🔄

(06:22) Florentine Businesses 🇮🇹🏛️

(08:21) Ferragamo Today 👞✨

(11:50) Luxury The Italian Way 🇮🇹💎

(14:52) Tradition & Innovation 🕰️⚙️

(17:35) Sustainability 🌱♻️

(19:30) Value For Customers 🤝💫

(22:20) Men’s Shoes 👞👔

(24:18) Family Business 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🏢

(29:25) Generational Work 🧬⏳

(32:00) Joining The Family Business 🚪👞

(32:58) Luxury Businesses 💼💎

(36:01) Diversification 🌐🔀

(42:35) Priorities At Home & Work ⚖️🏡

(45:33) Time Management ⏰📋

(47:55) Problem Solving 🧩💡

(51:10) Developing Governance 🏛️📑

(54:13) The Fashion Pact 🤝🌍

(56:17) Consumer Touch Points 👆✨

(1:00:36) 100 Year Anniversary 🎉💯

(1:01:54) The What vs. The Why ❓🎯

(1:05:00) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Richard Leuenberger, Managing Director of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, to explore what it takes to steward one of the world’s most storied hotels in a constantly evolving world. Often described as a living museum, Badrutt’s Palace embodies history, nostalgia, and a distinct “time machine” feeling, yet remains deeply relevant to modern, multi-generational travellers. Richard reflects on legacy, Swiss values, and why familiarity, reliability, and consistency are the foundations of true luxury.
The conversation moves through the spirit of St. Moritz, the thrill of the Cresta Run, and the subtle details that define exceptional hospitality, from breakfast rituals and guest arrivals to staff-to-guest ratios, leadership styles, and creating a family feeling within a grand institution. Richard shares how trust is built through care, precision, and respect; why making guests’ ideas and dreams come true matters more than scale; and how to elevate and modernise without erasing soul. A masterclass in hospitality, this episode explores what makes a great general manager, a great lobby, and ultimately, a great guest, revealing why respect transcends manners and legacy is earned daily.
Filmed at The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz.

Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️
(01:13) “Time Machine Feeling” ⏳✨
(03:38) The Cresta Run 🛷❄️
(04:01) St. Moritz 🏔️✨
(06:26) Multi-generational Travel 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✈️
(07:18) Hotel Values 🏨💎
(11:43) Care & Precision 🧤🎯
(13:24) Trust & Access 🔑🤝🏻
(17:51) Breakfast Says It All 🥐☕
(19:19) Joining Badrutt’s Palace 🏰🤍
(24:16) Staff-To-Guest Ratio 👥⚖️
(25:47) Guest Arrival 🚪✨
(26:40) Types Of Leadership 🧭👥
(29:45) Family Feeling 🤍🏡
(34:25) Guest Loyalty 🔁💎
(34:52) Elevating & Modernising ⬆️🆕
(39:11) What Makes A Great General Manager 👔⭐
(42:43) Obsessed With Scale 📐🔥
(45:22) Health & Wellness 🌿🧘‍♂️
(47:12) Being A Great Guest 🎩🙂
(48:02) Respect Transcends Manners 🌍🤍
(52:04) Hidden Gem 💎👀
(53:49) What Makes A Great Lobby 🛋️✨
(1:00:31) Mountain Living 🏔️🏡
(1:03:18) Nostalgia 📼🤍
(1:05:12) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
(1:08:36) Being Swiss 🇨🇭💎
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.