Housekeeping Didn't Come
Lessons from the road, the classroom, and the minibar.
Welcome to Housekeeping Didn’t Come — where hospitality, adventure, and a little chaos all check in for the night.
Hosted by Rob W. Powell, former casino exec, improv comic, mountaineer, and hospitality professor (aka the Indiana Jones of hospitality education), this podcast dives into the wild, weird, and wonderfully human side of the hospitality world. From luxury lodges to national park cabins, cruise ships to classroom chaos, we explore what it really takes to deliver unforgettable guest experiences—and what happens when things go hilariously off script.
Whether you're a student, a hospitality pro, a curious traveler, or just here for the stories, you'll find something to love. Expect candid interviews, bite-sized insights, unforgettable blunders, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from years in the trenches (and a few nights without housekeeping).
So grab a coffee (or a cocktail), and join Rob as he unpacks the business of making people feel welcome, even when the bed isn’t made.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 3 minutes
- Episodes
- 12
- Years Active
- 2025
The 5 Numbers That Haunt Hotel GMs (and 1 That Might Save You) Sleep is for Guests. You Have A Dashboard. S1E10a
Rob Powell takes us behind the scenes of hotel management to reveal the five critical numbers that determine success or failure in hospitality operations. The metrics that haunt great general manager…
Please Hold for Applause: Your Lobby Is a Stage. The Theater of Hospitality S1E9a
Hospitality is theatrical performance where every guest interaction requires both scripted elements and authentic improvisation. Disney pioneered this approach decades ago with their "on stage" and "…
My Tent Had Better Intentions Than Your Hotel - Authentic by Design, The Tent Philosophy S1E9
Ever wondered what a nylon tent could teach a five-star hotel? Rob Powell takes us on an unexpected journey into the wisdom of canvas dwellings in this thought-provoking exploration of authentic hosp…
The Truth Serum of Hotel Performance: Understanding RevPAR S1E8a
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) serves as hospitality's truth serum, revealing not just if you're selling rooms, but how efficiently you're doing it. This essential metric equals your total room …
Pack Like a Pro: Hotelier Edition S1E8
Ever considered what your packing style reveals about your leadership? Rob Powell takes us on a journey from the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the hallways of luxury hotels, uncovering the surprising para…
The Humble Compass: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders S1E7
The compass serves as a powerful metaphor for leadership and decision-making, offering reliable direction without the complications of modern technology. Rob Powell explores how this simple tool can …
Beyond the Welcome: Crafting Memorable Guest Experiences Through the Five Senses S1E6
Have you ever wondered why some hospitality experiences stay with you long after checkout while others fade immediately? The secret lies not in what's being sold, but in how it makes you feel across …
The Bear Ate My Toilet Paper: Tales From Remote Lodge Management S1E5
Remote lodge management combines breathtaking natural experiences with challenging operational realities that most people never consider. Running a wilderness property demands mastery of logistics, s…
When Nature Calls: What Luxury Hotels Can Learn from National Park Lodges S1E4
Ever wonder what happens when the supply truck doesn't show up at a remote lodge? Or how staff handle a water main break when there's no maintenance team on speed dial? That's where the real hospital…
From Summit to Service: How Climbing Kilimanjaro Taught Me About Hospitality Management S1E3
Mountaineering and hospitality management share surprising parallels in guest experience, team dynamics, logistics, and leadership under pressure. From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to managing hotel op…
Adventure Hospitality: Where Memories Meet Higher Margins S1E2
The hospitality industry is shifting from selling services to selling memorable experiences as guests seek stories to share rather than just rooms to stay in. Adventure Hospitality exemplifies this t…
Welcome to the Mess S1E1
Introduction to the podcast side of our adventure. Exploring teaching online, creating university-level course content, marketing, business, and all things adventure travel.