Why Mews Raised $300M and Thinks Hotel Tech Has Been Built Wrong for 30 Years
Good Morning Hospitality
01/23/26
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Mews just raised $300 million in a Series D, valuing the company at $2.5 billion — one of the largest hotel tech raises ever. But this conversation isn’t about hype.
In this GMH exclusive, Wil Slickers sits down for a third time with Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews, to unpack what this funding actually unlocks and why Richard believes much of hospitality technology has been built on the wrong assumptions for decades.
They dig into why hotels still struggle with data ownership, how PMS platforms became gatekeepers instead of enablers, and why AI will only work if the industry fixes its foundations first. Richard also explains why RevPAR may be the industry’s “original sin,” why guest experience should be a measurable output, and why fully autonomous hotels are the wrong goal.
This is a wide-ranging, philosophical, and practical conversation about:
• What Mews’ $300M raise really changes
• Why hotel tech copied the wrong SaaS playbook
• Data standards, open APIs, and industry gatekeeping
• AI agents, automation, and what should (and shouldn’t) be automated
• Why hospitality is more human than ever, even in an AI world
Extra Links Related or Mentioned in This Episode:
- My first episode with Richard in 2021
- My second episode with Richard in 2023
- Skift Article around the $300M fund raise
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Previous Episode
On this episode of GMH Hotels with Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk, as they break down four major developments shaping where lodging and travel are headed in 2026.
They start with Outsite’s new private-equity backing, a big vote of confidence in social extended stays and flexible work-travel lifestyles. Then they explore Google’s latest push into AI-powered travel planning and how big tech continues to encroach on discovery and booking channels.
From luxury pipeline news, they look at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts' third hotel addition since its IPO, signaling strength in high-end hospitality. Finally, they discuss the Sphere Entertainment Co. National Harbor’s impact on meetings, events, and destination demand.
And of course, it wouldn’t be GMH without this week’s Unhinged Story: a Delta Air Lines passenger who literally plugged in a curling iron mid-flight and proceeded to style her hair section by section.
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Next Episode
On this morning’s Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers is joined by Michael Goldin and Jamie Lane for a quick-hit look at the stories shaping travel and hospitality to start the week.
The team covers WeatherPromise’s latest funding round, the massive winter storm disrupting U.S. flights, and what it could mean for short-term rental demand, and Airbnb’s newest services push with ready-to-heat meals from celebrity chefs.
They also touch on Mews’ recent momentum and wrap the episode by digging into a favorite Skift Megatrend and why it matters right now.
This episode is brought to you by Guesty!
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