Spotlight On: Onal Kucuk, General Manager, 1 Hotel Nashville
September 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Onal Kucuk, general manager of 1 Hotel Nashville, discussed brand differentiation through sustainability, the evolving definition of luxury, and balancing technology and the human touch in the hospitality industry. “Technology will continue to play a growing role, but it must support our vision of soulful service,” Kucuk said.
What developments over the past year have most influenced your strategic priorities at 1 Hotel Nashville?
Nashville continues to be a strong market for our industry. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in luxury hotels, including ours. The competitive landscape in the luxury space has evolved significantly.
We focus on differentiation, especially through sustainability, which is core to our brand ethos. It sets us apart. Competition pushes us to be better operators, innkeepers, and service providers, and we view that as a positive force.
As Nashville grows, we expect more hotels to enter the market, raising the bar. We continue to adapt as the traveler profile shifts. The airport is expanding, and we look forward to welcoming more international visitors.
Meanwhile, the city’s transformation is ongoing. Major projects like Oracle’s headquarters, Amazon’s investments, and the new stadium are making Nashville even more attractive, not just for hospitality, but for investment across industries.
What recent sustainability initiatives at 1 Hotel Nashville have had the greatest operational or guest impact?
Our sustainability approach goes beyond standard practices like recycling or efficient lighting. We take a 360-degree view that includes community impact, carbon and water reduction, and wellness for both guests and team members.
A key initiative is our partnership with Copia, which connects us with local nonprofits that serve underprivileged communities. As a large operation with multiple outlets and events, we often overproduce food to meet guest expectations. Through Copia, we’ve donated nearly 18,000 pounds of food and non-food items this year, including over 7,500 pounds of food and 6,300 meals, with much of it going to Nashville Rescue Mission.
This work is deeply embedded in our culture. Our team is passionate about it, and we attract people who share that commitment. We also launched an internal initiative called Work Well in 2020, which gives team members opportunities to volunteer locally. So far this year, we’ve contributed more than 140 hours of community service.
As long as we operate under the 1 Hotel brand and within Starwood’s values, making a positive impact will remain central to our mission.
How has receiving a Michelin Key impacted 1 Hotel Nashville’s visibility, guest relationships, and strategic direction?
Being named a Michelin Key hotel was an honor. While we don’t chase accolades, this recognition, based on amenities, design, service, and overall experience, was a proud moment for our team.
It also helps us stand out in a competitive landscape. One piece of feedback that stood out came from a talented chef exploring opportunities in Nashville. Seeing our Michelin Key was what prompted him to apply. That kind of interest showed how these distinctions go beyond guest recognition and can attract top-tier talent.
We’ve since made a point of highlighting our accolades in recruitment. Whether it’s a Michelin or a Travel + Leisure listing, these recognitions reinforce that we are a values-driven workplace. In a competitive hiring environment, this kind of validation helps us attract people who align with our mission and are passionate about delivering authentic, soulful service.
How are you leveraging amenities like Harriet’s Rooftop and curated experiences such as the Audi excursions to attract both guests and local patrons?
One of our biggest strengths is our location, design, and range of amenities. Guests can easily spend their entire stay at 1 Hotel Nashville without needing to leave, which is rare in this market.
Harriet’s Rooftop offers a vibrant nightlife experience with a strong food and beverage program and curated events. For more traditional dining, 1 Kitchen delivers a farm-to-table menu grounded in local sourcing, from produce to poultry, all designed with intention and relevance to the region.
Wellness is another core focus. Our Bamford Wellness Spa was named the best in Tennessee in 2024 by World Spa Awards. It features a steam room, dry sauna, and treatment rooms, including spaces for couples. Our fitness center includes a studio where local instructors lead yoga, Pilates, and CrossFit classes.
We also have a long-running partnership with Audi. Guests can check out a car, get chauffeured to local neighborhoods, or book curated excursions. These have included curated hiking trips, farm tours, and concerts at the Grand Ole Opry.
From our room product to dining and wellness, we aim to be a one-stop urban destination. That kind of comprehensive experience is difficult to find elsewhere in Nashville and is a major part of what defines us.
How do broader macroeconomic conditions impact your operations and revenue strategies?
Like many in the industry, we closely track both macro and local trends. So far, our performance has aligned with national and regional patterns. We’re seeing steady growth across leisure, group, corporate, and out-of-room spending, with no significant deviations from the broader market.
Nashville continues to perform well and, in many cases, outpace other markets. The first half of the year saw strong demand across all segments. A standout shift, especially in our third full year, has been our entry into private events.
This reflects the industry’s recovery and a resurgence in social catering, particularly downtown. We’ve seen growing interest in hosting social events and have been successful in capturing that demand — something frequently discussed among luxury GMs in the area.
Traditionally, Nashville weddings were held in churches with receptions in barns or at golf clubs. That’s evolving. Downtown now offers more choices, and we provide beautifully designed spaces with exceptional food and beverage service. We’re delivering restaurant-quality catering for events of 200 to 300 guests, and that has made a noticeable impact this year.
What role does technology play in creating a seamless guest experience at 1 Hotel Nashville?
Technology in hospitality continues to evolve, and we are actively adapting. Our focus is on delivering seamless guest experiences through our app and its integrated capabilities.
We recently launched MISSION, our membership program. It is not a traditional points-based system. Instead, it was developed to align with our values and offer a more personal, purpose-driven experience. With support from our CRM systems, we personalize stays down to preferences like pillows and drinks.
MISSION also gives guests a platform to give back to the planet. That kind of integration is only possible through technology that communicates across our operational systems. We are also exploring how artificial intelligence can support our service model. It is not about replacing the human connection but enhancing it. AI can manage transactional tasks, which allows our team to focus on more meaningful guest interactions.
Technology will continue to play a growing role, but it must support our vision of soulful service. The definition of luxury is changing. Today’s travelers come with intention, not just to enjoy amenities but to feel something. Our role is to fulfill that feeling. When used thoughtfully, technology helps us do that.
What are your top priorities for the next three to five years, and what opportunities or challenges do you see for the Nashville hospitality market?
Our focus is to stay on course with our message and grow the 1 Hotel brand’s presence, not only in Nashville but as far as our footprint will take us. The company has growth plans that support that vision.
We remain committed to creating meaningful experiences and making a positive impact on the planet. That includes staying actively engaged with the community and supporting it wherever we can. Delivering exceptional, authentic, and soulful service remains central to our strategy. We believe the experiences we create within the building, beyond just sleeping and dining, are truly special.
Looking ahead, we are closely watching how the city will evolve. There is a lot of curiosity about how things will feel once the Oracle campus is completed, the new Tennessee Titans stadium is open, and projects like the Nashville Arts initiative and airport expansion are fully realized. The BNA transit panel being discussed is another development we are monitoring.
Nashville is a dynamic city. For those who have been here longer than I have, the sentiment is always the same: Nashville today is not the Nashville of three years ago, or even one year ago.
We need to remain relevant, stay competitive, and stay true to our purpose. That is what differentiates us.
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