barry
sternlicht
We’re in Miami and Hawaii to capture exclusive access with real estate titan Barry Sternlicht. While in Miami, we tagged along with the hotel mogul for a typical day, including a morning workout, a look inside the billionaire’s multi-million dollar home, and seeing where the magic happens at his Miami office. In our interview, Sternlicht opens up about his humble beginnings and the worst period of his career. Plus, we take a trip to his daughter’s horse farm as she sets her sights on the Olympics. Later, we visit Sternlicht at his newly-renovated hotel on the island of Kauai, where he shows us around the property and gives us insight into his attention to detail needed to build a hotel empire.
barry sternlicht
CLIPS
Billionaire Barry Sternlicht reflects on his Jewish heritage, sharing how his father survived World War II and how he didn’t open up to him about those experiences until Barry was 38 years old. He recalls his childhood, his father’s strict, and tough parenting style as well as how his father has changed since he has gotten older.
Billionaire and CEO Barry Sternlicht recounts his childhood and the drive to one day afford a pool and tennis court, as well as doing anything to make money, including selling tadpoles. He recalls the skills he picked up from his parents and his mom’s wishes for him to become a lawyer. Barry also shares his journey of living in New York, wanting to work on Wall Street, being fired from JMB Realty, and eventually starting his own firm.
Billionaire and hotel mogul Barry Sternlicht recalls his first big deals, growing from an unknown person to the king of the hotel industry and sharing the biggest risk in his career for the first time. He also discusses the megalomaniac hired from Coca-Cola, who tore down his office and why he left because of him.
Billionaire and hotel mogul Barry Sternlicht recalls the lowest point in his life after hiring former Disney CFO, Richard Nanila, horrible journalism from Patricia Sellers, and the realization of finally having a successful team behind him when he had a clear desk. During a challenging period of selling ITT, Sternlicht shares a threatening situation with Steve Wynn and to avoid any issues he gave Wynn $25 million to pretend everything was okay. Plus the hotel titan shares that he was chased down a runway by a car while trying to fly out of Las Vegas.
Billionaire and CEO Barry Sternlicht shares his admiration for mentor Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, and his ability to execute his vision, as well as his praise for Ralph Lauren. He discusses the challenges of operating a business in France and his plans to reinvent Baccarat through hotels.
Hotel mogul Barry Sternlicht shares his interest and influences in design, revealing he can be somewhat obsessive, even going into hotel rooms and moving the furniture himself. He discusses the importance of lighting and that if he doesn’t see a dimmer switch, he wants to castrate someone. Barry also recounts having to fire a general manager when he saw dead flowers as he entered the hotel, describes the influence of handsome doormen, and wishing he had more time to micromanage.
Billionaire Barry Sternlicht opens up about his first marriage, stating that marrying someone opposite is a big mistake. He also shares his difficulty with saying no to things and challenges with a healthy work-life balance. His daughter Adrienne provides insight into her parents’ divorce, stating how it initially fractured her relationship with her father but eventually made them closer. Barry then details how he supports Adrienne’s equestrian career, and Graham meets some of Adrienne’s horses.
Billionaire Barry Sternlicht provides insight into the current economy, calling high interest rates an archaic tool and saying he feels this crisis will be the worst. He shares his thoughts on how AI will change the workforce and reflecting on his time during the Great Recession and the Covid pandemic.
Billionaire Barry Sternlicht recalls talking to Donald Trump recently and Trump’s unhappiness with his support for Nikki Haley. He also discusses the upcoming election and that Trump and Biden are too old to be candidates.
Billionaire and CEO Barry Sternlicht recalls going to the Middle East for decades and visiting Saudi Arabia for close to 10 years. He shares his feelings of discomfort as a Jewish man when he first visited, similar to when he traveled to Germany, but now feels safe and respected.
We visit billionaire Barry Sternlicht’s home in Miami, Florida, and he shares his thoughts on the design of the house including his inspirations and influences. Sternlicht also discusses his connection to art and how architects and designers often overlook functionality.
We join billionaire Barry Sternlicht in his Miami office. He discusses the balconies outside his window, referring to them as the “thorn in my side” and how he decided to move his desk because of them. Sternlicht also shares insight into the design of the building and how there has never been a nicer building on Miami beach.
Billionaire Barry Sternlicht faces some tough decisions with these rapid fire questions.
We take a ride with real estate titan Barry Sternlicht as he discusses the heartfelt meaning behind a certain song, shares the journey of getting older and reveals why he ultimately moved to Florida.
We join real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht for a morning at the gym. He shares his typical morning routine and why he prioritizes working out five days a week.
Co-founder and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, Barry Sternlicht, takes us on a tour of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai. He opens up about transforming the once sad hotel into what it is today by showing off the garden, the ballroom-turned-gym, and sharing all of the details for upcoming projects and renovations to be done at the hotel.
We join billionaire and CEO Barry Sternlicht for a hike in Hawaii as he shares what a proper vacation would entail, plus he discusses his current hip pain and the plan for his upcoming surgery. Sternlicht shares how he hopes to spend more time in Hawaii, and how he handles his friends who expect VIP treatment at his hotels.
