In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Trent Freeman, Vice President of Operations at Valencia Hotel Group. With over 25 years of experience in hospitality and leadership roles at Four Seasons, Omni, and Peabody Hotels & Resorts, Trent brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for creating authentic guest experiences.

He shares how his career journey—from starting at the front desk to leading operations across Valencia’s boutique luxury properties—shaped his leadership style and perspective on culture, community, and authenticity in hospitality.

We dive into:

How early career lessons shaped his leadership approach
The power of Valencia’s Culture Club and weekly Book Club for leadership development
Insights on creating hotels that are true hubs for their communities
Valencia’s annual Helps Week initiative and how philanthropy impacts employee engagement and guest experiences
Why authenticity goes beyond thread count and décor—and how hotels can genuinely connect with their communities

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k4rX0u19344

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Trent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-freeman-21ab7278
Valencia Hotel Group: https://www.valenciahotelgroup.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/211

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

#211: How Hotels Can Be an Authentic Part of Local Communities | Trent Freeman of Valencia Hotel Group

The Modern Hotelier

#211: How Hotels Can Be an Authentic Part of Local Communities | Trent Freeman of Valencia Hotel Group