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Articles by Michael Levie
Michael Levie Council Member
Skip to main content Co-founder of citizenM hotels and a voice in hospitality transformation, I focus on reshaping the industry through culture, strategy, brand, and innovation. My career spans senior leadership roles at Sonesta International, NH Hoteles, and SynXis, before co-founding citizenM and introducing a disruptive new model for hospitality.
When Humans Act Like Robots: Michael Levie on citizenM and the Reverse Uncanny Valley
citizenM co-founder Michael Levie argues hospitality's real problem is humans behaving like robots, and that automation should free staff for genuine human moments, not replace them. Simone Puorto and Michael Levie (right) Photo by Hospitality Net This Interview is part of the EHL HumanX Summit 2026 Rewind thematics campaign.
The Rebel (Adopted) Child of Marriott: A "Jam Session" with Michael Levie
8 min read HITEC Booth #2154 Note: Each section title is a distorted echo of a punk anthem. Some are obvious, some are deep cuts. Let’s see who gets them all. Winner gets a beef, paid by yours truly. Promise. Too Drunk to Check-In There's a story I've told a thousand times, but it still hits like a sucker punch every time I share it. It starts in a lobby, with the cold glow of a self-check-in kiosk, and a man who offered me a beer. But let me rewind.
EHL Innovation Rewind: Michael Levie on Middleware, Microdata and the Jam Session Spirit of CitizenM
At the Open Innovation Summit hosted by EHL Innovation Hub, we sat down with Michael Levie, Founding Partner at CitizenM. We asked him a few questions about where he sees the biggest tech shifts coming in hospitality and what makes CitizenM stand out in the way they work. Michael talked about middleware, microdata and why moving to the cloud is not enough. He also explained how the culture at CitizenM is like a jam session and how that energy still lives on today.
The citizenM Founding Story (And What It Teaches Us Today) - Michael Levie
In this episode, Michael Levie, co-founder of citizenM, shares the story of how the innovative brand began, the challenges they faced, and the unique strategies that set them apart in the industry. This episode is brought to you with support from Shiji Group, the global hospitality technology leader that helps hotels streamline operations and transform guest experiences.
China Hospitality Technology Alliance
China Hospitality Technology Alliance (CHTA) is a non-profit making hospitality technology association that focusing on the development of Chinese leading technologies, products and applications to better serve both the Chinese and the international hospitality markets.
Bridging the Tech Gap in the Hospitality Industry: A Comprehensive Analysis
In a recently contributed article on Hospitality Net, Michael Levie asked the question of why we see a slow pace of hotel groups upgrading to contemporary tech stacks. Innovative and open-architecture applications that the hospitality sector has long anticipated are now accessible, providing vast and flexible options ready to be deployed. From data analytics, digital transitions, and understanding revenue flows to business intelligence, everything is available at attractive SaaS pricing.
Bridging the Tech Gap in the Hospitality Industry: A Comprehensive Analysis
— By Michael Levie - Hospitality Changemaker and Co-Founder of citizenM and Henri Roelings - Founder & CEO, Hospitality Net Visit us at HITEC booth 1645 17 October 2023 Michael Levie Henri Roelings In a recently contributed article on Hospitality Net, Michael Levie asked the question of why we see a slow pace of hotel groups upgrading to contemporary tech stacks.
Bridging the tech gap…What is Holding us Back?
In a recently contributed article on Hospitality Net, I asked myself the question of why we see a slow pace of hotel groups upgrading to contemporary tech stacks. Innovative and open-architecture applications that the hospitality sector has long anticipated are now accessible, providing vast and flexible options ready to be deployed. From data analytics, digital transitions, and understanding revenue flows to business intelligence, everything is available at attractive SaaS pricing.
KUBE Ventures | Hospitality Net
KUBE Ventures incubates and accelerates start-ups in global hospitality. Incorporated in Singapore by Michael Levie and David Keen in 2021, KUBE Ventures will officially launch in Dubai in September 2021 at the Arabian & African Hotel Investment Conference. The company now has 18 actively participating shareholders. KUBE Ventures is guided by two entities.
Bridging the tech gap…a dream come true!
Yes, yes, yes the contemporary tech systems the hospitality industry has been waiting for are available now and offer incredible open-ended solutions...ready for implementation. Data, digital, gross revenue to net revenue to profit contribution, and BI, it is all there against very favorable SaaS pricing...a dream come true for all hoteliers. So why is not everyone switching over immediately? What holds us back?
Bridging the tech gap…a dream come true!
from “traditional” hotels to contemporary “tech led” organizations — By Michael Levie - Hospitality Changemaker and Co-Founder of citizenM 27 September 2023 Source: depositphotos.com Yes, yes, yes the contemporary tech systems the hospitality industry has been waiting for are available now and offer incredible open-ended solutions...ready for implementation.
HUMAN STACK vs TECH STACK
Balancing tech with the human touch in hotels is key. While tech offers efficiency and digital conveniences like self-booking, mobile check-ins, and AI-enabled services, it can't replace the unique, empathetic service from staff. They provide memorable experiences and connections that tech can't mimic. The goal is to use technology to enable, not replace, human interaction, at the right moment in the guest journey.
The Uncertainty New Normal
In this article, Michael Levie discusses the challenges faced by the hospitality industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has resulted in uncertainty becoming the new normal. The article highlights how the pandemic has resulted in a lack of staff and antiquated technology that has impacted the ability to sell to capacity. The article suggests that the only way to break this new mold of uncertainty is to differentiate the product by changing and creating new business processes.
Shaking up the Middle East Tourism Sector
Two leading figures in the tourism industry have launched a global hospitality startup incubator in the Middle East as they look to expedite the digital transformation of the sector. KUBE Ventures, the brainchild of long-time friends Michael Levie and David Keen, aims to drive the transformation agenda in the industry by incubating and accelerating hospitality startups.
HNtv INSIDERS - Discussing the need for transformational thinking in hospitality
KUBE Ventures incubates and accelerates start-ups in global hospitality. Incorporated in Singapore by Michael Levie and David Keen in 2021, KUBE Ventures will officially launch in Dubai in September 2021 at the Arabian & African Hotel Investment Conference. The company now has 18 actively participating shareholders. KUBE Ventures is guided by two entities.
Master the New Rules of Revenue Strategy
David Rochefort is the President of Graduate Hotels and oversees the brand and operations for all Graduate Hotels properties. Mr. Rochefort previously served as the Senior Vice President of Asset Management for Graduate Hotels. He joined AJ Capital Partners in 2014 to support the launch of Graduate and has played an instrumental role in the continued growth and management of the brand, since the beginning.
Taking A Fresh Approach To Hospitality
Delivering affordable luxury with a high tech component, citizenM has always taken a fresh approach to hospitality. The global budget luxury brand, launched in 2008, has always put tech at the center of its offering, both from a customer standpoint and in terms of operations. The COVID-19 crisis has seen the brand once again turn to high tech to deliver a consistent, high-end product that is cost-effective and comfortable for its guests.
Hospitality Net C-Suite World Panel Weighs In On Sustainability Goals and Challenges for 2020
Today, Hospitality Net™, powered by Hsyndicate, has published its latest viewpoint on Sustainability from their C-Suite World Panel which highlights views and opinions of leading hoteliers on key industry trends. This critical topic, titled Sustainability Goals: Is the Window of Opportunity for Hotels Closing?, was initiated by Willy Legrand, Professor of Hospitality Management at the IUBH International University.
Michael Levie and Making Your Competition Irrelevant | By Sarah McCay Tams – Hospitality Net
If you have ever considered what differentiates your hotel from the competition and all you can find is that your turndown chocolate comes in a logo-embossed wrapper, then you need to change to a Blue Ocean strategy. Michael Levie, chief operations officer at citizenM, gave hoteliers plenty of food for thought with his opening keynote presentation at this year's Revenue Strategy Forum London, held Monday at the Amba Hotel Charing Cross.
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