The Curious Concierge

Episode OverviewIn this STRA special episode, Justin Sun speaks with Bruno Barone about building a hospitality ecosystem in Phuket that extends far beyond villas, focusing on people, systems, and long-term responsibility.Episode DescriptionThis episode is part of The Art of Short-Term Rentals in Asia, a six-part special series created in collaboration with Short Term Rental Asia (STRA).Phuket’s villa market may look effortless from the outside, but behind every great stay is a complex network of people, systems, and responsibility.In this episode of The Curious Concierge, Justin sits down with Bruno Barone, a hospitality entrepreneur who has spent over a decade building an interconnected ecosystem in Phuket. Bruno shares his journey from Europe to Thailand, the evolution of property management on the island, and why staff empowerment is central to service excellence.The conversation explores Phuket’s shift toward long-term living, the rise of wellness and medical tourism, and why storytelling has become a strategic asset through Bruno’s media platform, Closer. Bruno also discusses legal support for expats, sustainability, and what it means to build hospitality with accountability in a fast-growing destination.Why This Conversation MattersAs Phuket continues to grow as a global destination, Bruno offers a rare operator’s view on what happens behind the scenes. This episode is about building trust, infrastructure, and community in a place where hospitality touches everyday life.Timestamps(00:00) Phuket’s evolving hospitality landscape(04:06) Bruno’s journey to Phuket(07:19) Quality of life and inner happiness(09:59) Building a hospitality ecosystem(13:01) The evolution of property management(16:02) Technical systems and service philosophy(19:00) Staff development and service excellence(22:20) Long-term living and rental shifts(24:53) Storytelling in hospitality(26:38) Legal support for expats(28:01) Community-driven hospitality(30:39) Phuket’s regional role(33:51) Sustainability and future development(40:04) The future of hospitality in Phuket(41:53) Closing reflectionsConnect with Kadek, STRA & The Curious ConciergeBruno BaroneEmail: info@closercsslaw.comShort Term Rental Asia (STRA)LinkedInInstagramJustin Sun | The Curious ConciergeLinkedInInstagramTikTokEmail: justin@thecuriousconcierge.comFourth Space Hospitality: https://fourthspacehospitality.comIf you know a hotelier, villa operator, designer, or founder shaping hospitality in Asia, feel free to reach out or make an introduction.

Episode OverviewIn this STRA special episode, Justin Sun sits down with Kadek Adnyana to explore how Bali’s villa industry has evolved and why culture, regulation, and community now matter more than ever.Episode DescriptionThis episode is part of The Art of Short-Term Rentals in Asia, a six-part special series created in collaboration with Short Term Rental Asia (STRA), a leading platform focused on education, events, and insight for the short-term rental industry across Asia.Bali is one of the world’s most iconic hospitality destinations, but behind the beauty lies a fragile balance.In this episode of The Curious Concierge, Justin speaks with Kadek Adnyana, founder of Individual Bali Villas and a leading voice behind the Bali Vacation Rental Management Association (BVRMA). Kadek shares his journey from local guide to villa operator, and how Balinese culture deeply influences hospitality practices on the island.Together, they unpack the evolution of Bali’s villa market, the risks of unregulated growth, and why sustainable tourism, quality standards, and community-driven regulation are essential to protecting Bali’s identity for future generations.This conversation offers a grounded, local perspective on what it really takes to build hospitality responsibly in Asia.Why This Conversation MattersAs Bali faces increasing pressure from mass tourism and unchecked development, this conversation provides rare insight from someone actively working to balance growth with preservation. It is a reminder that hospitality is not just about demand, but responsibility.Timestamps(00:00) Introduction and STRA series context(02:01) Cultural roots of Balinese hospitality(05:55) Kadek’s journey into the villa industry(10:01) Why BVRMA was formed(13:07) Challenges and achievements in regulation(15:09) Evolution of Bali’s villa market(18:21) Sustainability and eco-friendly tourism(21:13) Community responsibility and cultural preservation(24:42) Government, investors, and regulation(27:06) Lessons for other destinations(32:03) Building a sustainable future for Bali(35:13) Final reflectionsConnect with Kadek, STRA & The Curious ConciergeKadek AdnyanaIndividual Bali Villa Rental & ManagementBali Vacation Rental Management Association (BVRMA)Short Term Rental Asia (STRA)LinkedInInstagramJustin Sun | The Curious ConciergeLinkedInInstagramTikTokEmail: justin@thecuriousconcierge.comFourth Space Hospitality: https://fourthspacehospitality.comIf you know a hotelier, villa operator, designer, or founder shaping hospitality in Asia, feel free to reach out or make an introduction.

Episode OverviewIn this opening episode, host Justin Sun shares the personal journey behind The Curious Concierge and why hospitality, real estate, and service have shaped his life and career. From growing up in Asia’s urban ecosystems to working behind the scenes of modern hospitality brands, this episode sets the foundation for a podcast focused on meaning, craft, and the future of hospitality in Asia.Episode DescriptionThis is not an interview. This is an origin story.In the inaugural episode of The Curious Concierge, Justin reflects on growing up between Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States, where malls doubled as social ecosystems, buildings shaped behavior, and service was a cultural philosophy rather than a transaction. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong fascination with how space, emotion, and care intersect.Justin traces how that curiosity led him to study hotel administration and real estate, work across hospitality startups, underwrite and integrate real estate portfolios, scale operations, and experience firsthand the emotional labor behind hospitality, from corporate strategy rooms to being an Airbnb host himself.This episode introduces the philosophy behind The Curious Concierge, a podcast dedicated to the innovators, builders, and quiet operators shaping how Asia lives, travels, and gathers. Beyond check-ins and keys, this show explores the legends, legacies, and human stories behind hospitality.Why Asia, and Why This PodcastAsia is where hospitality is evolving fastest, shaped by culture, density, technology, and a deep-rooted service mindset. From hotels and short-term rentals to wellness spaces and hybrid living, the next generation of hospitality models is being built here, often quietly. This podcast exists to tell those stories with depth, respect, and curiosity.Timestamps(00:00) - Welcome to The Curious Concierge(01:15) - What this podcast is really about(03:40) - Growing up in Asia’s urban ecosystems(07:50) - When hospitality became personal(12:20) - Studying hotels and real estate(16:10) - Startup years, scale, and systems(21:45) - Learning hospitality from the owner’s side(26:40) - Why Asia, and why now(30:10) - What to expect from future episodes(33:30) - Closing reflections and invitation to stay curiousConnect with Justin & The Curious ConciergeLinkedInInstagramEmail: justin@thecuriousconcierge.comFourth Space Hospitality: https://fourthspacehospitality.comIf you know a hotelier, designer, founder, or operator shaping hospitality in Asia, feel free to reach out or send an introduction.