The Future of Smart Stays with Dr. Josef Vollmayr, Co-Founder of Limehome | By Jessica Gillingham

In this episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, Dr. Josef Vollmayr, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Limehome, joins hosts Kristian Lupinski and Jessica Gillingham to explore how the company is redefining what tech-enabled hospitality can look like at scale.

With over 11,000 units under contract and 85% of reservations automated, Limehome is setting new benchmarks for digital operations across Europe. Josef brings a unique blend of strategy and execution, from his early career at McKinsey to co-founding one of the continent’s fastest-growing hospitality platforms.

Limehome’s model is built around simplicity, functionality, and operational efficiency – responding to a shift in traveler expectations where experience matters, but frictionless value matters more.

The conversation dives into:

• How Limehome achieves 72% space efficiency by rethinking design and eliminating service-heavy operations
• Why direct bookings aren’t always the holy grail and how OTA-driven guests can still become loyal brand advocates
• The technology traps operators should avoid, and why backend integration matters more than guest-facing gadgets
• What rising staffing costs, energy prices, and construction inflation mean for the future of hospitality margins

Josef also shares how Limehome is using post-booking engagement and proprietary guest tech to build loyalty across fragmented markets while preparing to launch in the UK and France as part of its growing European footprint.

Meet the hosts of Pillow Talk Sessions

Jessica Gillingham is the Founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide, a strategic public relations agency dedicated to elevating the profile of transformative technology solutions in global hospitality, lodging, and serviced living. An established industry thought leader, Jessica is a frequent conference speaker and author of Tech-enabled Hospitality, a new book exploring the innovations shaping the sector.

Kristian Lupinski, events and content producer for Abode Worldwide, is a driving force behind Pillow Talk, bringing extensive experience in media production, particularly podcast production, combined with a background in hospitality. Known for his ability to craft engaging stories and connect with key industry figures, Kristian has built a reputation for delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences and amplifies the voices shaping the future of hospitality.

Listen to the full episode to hear how Limehome is balancing automation with guest experience, and why smart hospitality is about more than just smart devices.