EP.13 / Ski Trip - Monica Cuervo on the Limelight Hotel Mammoth and the LA Hospitality Market
In this episode we get out of town for the weekend and go to Mammoth to discuss the Limelight Hotel Mammoth with the Managing Director of WATG's LA office, Monica Cuervo.
We dive into the company's rich history and its role in designing 5-star resorts across the globe. WATG was founded in Honolulu in 1945 and is now renowned for pioneering hospitality tourism and modern luxury travel experiences. In our conversation, Monica discusses the company's evolution, WATG's response to travelers' changing preferences, and the development of the Limelight Hotel Mammoth.
The development of the Limelight Hotel Mammoth is characterized by its dedication to sustainability and a connection to the outdoors. Monica explains the unique challenges in creating such a one-of-a-kind hotel and the opportunities it presents for setting new standards for innovative and eco-friendly hospitality experiences. The project is also a testament to WATG's commitment to preserving cultural authenticity in hotel design, which is a core value of the company.
Monica shares her perspective on the growing trend of young architects embracing collaboration, the post-pandemic hospitality industry, and the increasing popularity of niche experiences catering to specific interests and cultures.
About Monica Cuervo
Monica Cuervo brings to the team over 30 years of domestic and international design experience in hospitality, luxury residential, planning, and entertainment destination design.
Since joining WATG in 1993, Monica has been involved in varying roles including design and project management for over 50 destinations worldwide, leading many of them from Conceptual Design, Visioning and Programming through Construction Documentation and On-site Administration. The scope and scale of the projects have ranged from intimate boutique hotels with a unique focus on spa & wellness, wine, and equestrian lifestyle resorts to large scale mixed-use entertainment destinations including casino, retail, specialty dining experiences, and hotel.
Monica has worked with a wide range of clients and hotel operators including Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, The Breakers Hotels, Montage, Salamander Resorts, Hyatt, Sheraton, Marriott, Caesars, Nobu Hotel and Mohegan Sun in addition to independent hotel owners and operators.
Creativity in design, understanding of hotel and entertainment operations, technical expertise, and effective leadership style and ability, have enabled Monica to lead project teams in successful collaborations, working efficiently to innovate, develop, and ultimately build world class projects and destinations for clients, residents, and international travelers across the globe.
Topics Covered
WATG's history and Monica’s role as Managing Director of the LA office
The evolution of luxury travel experiences, and where we stand today
How WATG is embracing new technology such as AI and VR to enhance their process
The post-pandemic growth of the hospitality industry and the experience economy
Personalization, a desire for community, and niche travel experiences
The state of the LA Hospitality market, and the focus on hotel retrofits ahead of the World Cup and Olympics
The Limelight Hotel development in Mammoth Lakes, California
The challenges, opportunities, and excitement behind the hotel’s sustainable design
Building a team for unique and specific projects
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