156. Felt. Not Forgotten

Most of the “great” experiences we invest so much time, money, and energy into are forgotten. 

So what actually makes something stay? 

In this episode, I take you into a defining memory from my childhood in Nairobi, watching my father, a structural engineer, obsess over what seemed like an impossible task: building a swimming pool that extended out of a hotel building (basically, a “hanging” swimming pool). 

Decades later, I don’t remember the design. 

But I remember the feeling. 

What that hanging swimming pool meant. The obsession. The sense that something truly mattered. 

And it made me question something fundamental: 

Why is it that after 25 years in hospitality, experiencing some of the most beautiful hotels and wellness spaces in the world, I’ve forgotten most of them? 

 
In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through the 3 reasons I’ve come up with: 
 
1.- Why excellence alone is not enough, and often leads to forgettable experiences 

2.- The difference between what is delivered, and what is actually felt 

3.- How the most impactful hotels, teams, and brands create something that stays 

 
By the end of this episode, you’ll start questioning whether what you’re building is truly being felt, or simply delivered.