Top books, podcasts and resources for Hospitality Business students

The School of Hospitality Business at the Broad College of Business is known for producing leaders in hotel management, food and beverage, event planning and luxury service. Students in the program gain hands-on experience and industry insight from faculty and alumni who are shaping the future of hospitality.

But success in hospitality requires more than classroom learning. Staying informed on trends, leadership strategies and customer experience innovations is essential for students preparing to enter this dynamic field. As the hospitality industry evolves with new technologies, guest expectations and global trends, these resources will help Broad Spartans lead the way. 

In the hospitality industry, the difference between good service and unforgettable experiences often comes down to the smallest details. Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara explores how those details, when delivered with intention and generosity, can transform a business, a team and a guest’s entire perception.

Guidara, the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, shares how he helped turn the restaurant into one of the best in the world by embracing a philosophy of radical generosity. The book is filled with real-life stories that illustrate how going above and beyond for guests isn’t just good service, it’s a strategic advantage. From surprising diners with personalized touches to empowering staff to make bold decisions, Guidara shows how hospitality can be elevated to an art form.

For students in The School of Hospitality Business, this book offers more than inspiration, it’s a blueprint for leadership. Guidara emphasizes the importance of empathy, creativity and culture-building, all of which are essential for future hospitality professionals. His approach encourages readers to think differently about service, not as a transaction but as a relationship.

“It’s recommended not just for hospitality business majors, but for any major or industry professional,” said Lena Loeffler, head of alumni relations and engagement at The School of Hospitality Business. “I’m in the midst of reading this one for the second time. It’s a great read.”

Whether you’re planning to manage a hotel, launch a restaurant, or lead a team in any service-driven field, Unreasonable Hospitality offers timeless lessons on how to lead with heart and deliver excellence.

The Walt Disney Company is globally recognized for its ability to deliver consistently magical guest experiences, and this book reveals the systems behind the magic. Be Our Guest offers a deep dive into how Disney trains its employees, designs its environments and builds a culture of excellence that prioritizes customer satisfaction at every level.

Through case studies and insights from the Disney Institute, readers learn how service design, employee empowerment and leadership alignment contribute to a seamless guest experience. The book emphasizes the importance of intentional service, where every detail is considered and every interaction is an opportunity to exceed expectations.

For hospitality business students, this book serves as a practical guide to building service systems that scale. Whether you’re managing a boutique hotel or planning large-scale events, the principles outlined in Be Our Guest can be applied to create memorable and consistent experiences. It also reinforces the idea that great service is not accidental, it’s engineered through culture, training and leadership.

For students preparing to enter the hospitality industry, understanding the real-world experiences of professionals is essential. The Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality podcast with Katie Cline offers just that, a behind-the-scenes look at the journeys of hospitality leaders across sectors like hotel management, food and beverage, and luxury service.

Each episode features candid conversations with executives, founders, and educators who share their career paths, leadership philosophies, and lessons learned along the way. Topics range from operational strategies and brand building to innovation and guest experience design. The podcast is especially valuable for students seeking mentorship and motivation, as it highlights both the challenges and triumphs of working in hospitality.

What sets Suite Success apart is its focus on storytelling. Rather than just discussing trends, the podcast dives into personal narratives that reveal how professionals navigated their careers, built successful teams, and adapted to industry changes. These insights help students understand the human side of hospitality, the relationships, resilience, and creativity that drive the field forward.

Whether you’re interested in launching your own hospitality venture or joining a global brand, Suite Success provides practical advice and inspiration to help you succeed.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

For students focused on hotel management and lodging operations, staying informed on industry trends is essential. The Daily Lodging Report is a concise, hotel-specific newsletter that delivers updates on mergers, acquisitions, brand launches, market performance and operational shifts across the hospitality sector.

This resource is especially useful for students preparing for internships, interviews or full-time roles in hotel management. It offers a daily snapshot of the business side of hospitality, helping students understand how global trends and financial decisions impact operations on the ground.

The newsletter’s format makes it easy to integrate into a student’s daily routine, offering quick insights that build industry awareness over time. Whether you’re tracking investment activity or learning about new hotel concepts, the Daily Lodging Report helps you stay ahead of the curve.

Subscribe to Daily Lodging Report

Gastropod is a food history podcast that blends science, storytelling and cultural analysis to explore the origins and impact of what we eat. Hosted by journalists Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley, the show covers topics ranging from the invention of restaurant menus to the science behind flavor and the global evolution of culinary traditions.

Recommended by Adam Roy, the Dr. Lewis J. & Mrs. Ruth E. Minor Chef-Professor of Culinary Management in The School of Hospitality Business, Gastropod is especially valuable for students interested in food and beverage, culinary arts or food entrepreneurship. Each episode offers a rich narrative that connects food to economics, innovation, and social change, all essential themes in hospitality.

The podcast’s interdisciplinary approach helps students think critically about the role of food in society and how it shapes guest experiences. Whether you’re designing a menu, launching a food startup or studying global cuisine, Gastropod provides context and inspiration that go far beyond the kitchen.

Listen on Gastropod.com

Whether it’s learning from industry pioneers, exploring food culture or staying updated on hotel trends, these resources offer Hospitality Business students a bridge between academic learning and real-world insight.