In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dr. Sharmin Dharas, Chief Experience Officer at Hotel ZAZZ and Chief Storyteller at HERstory Hospitality.

Sharmin’s journey is anything but traditional. From growing up in a 13-room Route 66 motor lodge to becoming a physician, entrepreneur, author, and boutique hotel visionary, she shares how her diverse background shaped one of the most unique hospitality concepts in the country.

The conversation dives into the creation of Hotel ZAZZ, a colorful and rebellious boutique motor lodge in Albuquerque that blends wellness, storytelling, and experiential design—including a hidden speakeasy unlocked by tapping the famous Golden Banana. Sharmin also shares how authenticity, creativity, and community partnerships helped the property gain global attention, including recognition from Forbes as one of the must-see hotels in the world.

Along the way, the discussion explores entrepreneurship, Route 66 tourism, scaling independent hospitality brands, and Sharmin’s mission to empower more women to become hotel owners through HERstory Hospitality.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Sharmin transitioned from medicine to boutique hotel ownership
• Why authenticity is the secret to creating viral, Instagram-worthy hospitality experiences
• How Route 66 tourism brings international travelers to boutique properties
• The importance of community collaboration and hyper-local experiences

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SjlSwSoSD-M

Links:
Dr. Sharmin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmindharas/

Hotel ZAZZ: https://www.hotelzazz.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/264

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.