David Millili & Steve Carran sit down with Steve Slack, General Manager of the iconic Lafayette Hotel & Club in San Diego, for a deep dive into hospitality leadership, community-driven hotels, and what it takes to run a Michelin-recognized property.

In this episode, Steve Slack shares his journey from growing up in Oceanside, California, to leading one of the most talked-about boutique hotels in the country. From early days in golf operations to becoming a hotel general manager, Steve breaks down the mindset, hustle, and attention to detail required to succeed in modern hospitality.

We also explore the historic renovation and relaunch of the Lafayette Hotel, the unique ownership model behind CH Projects, and how food, beverage, and community engagement drive the hotel’s success. Steve opens up about earning a Michelin Key, traveling to Paris for the award ceremony, and how the Lafayette has reclaimed its place as a cultural landmark in San Diego.

Plus, we take you behind the scenes of the Lafayette’s legendary holiday transformation, including the viral hanging Christmas trees, in-house decorating process, and why guests and locals alike keep coming back.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why community-driven hotels outperform traditional models
How CH Projects operates 20+ restaurants and boutique hotels
The role of food & beverage in creating unforgettable guest experiences
How the Lafayette Hotel became a San Diego destination again

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Sa3tbaOzSF8

Links:
Steve Slack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveaslack/
The Lafayette Hotel & Club: https://lafayettehotelsd.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/241

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

#241: Winning a Michelin Key at The Lafayette Hotel & Club | with Steve Slack

The Modern Hotelier

#241: Winning a Michelin Key at The Lafayette Hotel & Club | with Steve Slack