Sven Wiedenhaupt, General Manager, The Lake Nona Wave Hotel

Invest: spoke with Sven Wiedenhaupt, general manager of The Lake Nona Wave Hotel, about how experiential dining, wellness, and technology are reshaping hospitality in Orlando. “Hospitality thrives on information. Opinions are useful, but data and observation are what allow us to serve guests well,” Wiedenhaupt said. The focus, he explained, is pairing innovation with exceptional basics that make guests feel genuinely cared for.

How has the hospitality industry in Greater Orlando evolved over the past year, and how do you see The Lake Nona Wave Hotel’s role within that landscape?

Over the last year, Orlando has continued to emerge as a serious food destination, and that evolution is very evident in Lake Nona and Lake Nona Wave Hotel. Dining has become a defining part of the guest experience, and we’ve leaned heavily into that. 

Two of the restaurants in the hotel are Michelin-recommended, and the hotel itself has earned a Michelin Key.

Our South American–inspired restaurant, BACÁN, reflects that commitment. We’ve gone very deep into the wine program, earning a Wine Spectator Award and expanding to nearly 200 wines on the list, with more than 40 offered by the glass. The goal isn’t simply revenue. It’s about experience. BACÁN is a destination where guests come for service, food and wine pairing, and the overall sense of excellence.

We’ve also brought on culinary talent that reinforces that vision. Our chef brings a South American perspective that complements the concept and allows us to surprise guests while maintaining a very high standard. It’s experiential dining built on precision and care.

Last December we refreshed the concept of Garni Cafe, and have seen it quickly become a local favorite, particularly for brunch. The space is bright and adjacent to the pool, creating an inviting environment that resonates with both hotel guests and the community. As demand grew, we introduced themed evenings and creative programming that keeps the experience playful and unexpected.

Across the hotel, the focus is on reinforcing the fundamentals of hospitality while adding moments that surprise and delight. That balance is what defines our role within Lake Nona and the broader Orlando market.

What broader trends in hospitality are most influential right now, particularly around wellness, experience-driven travel, and beverage programs?

Wellness has become central to everything we do. We recently hosted our first wellness roundtable with community partners because we see long-term opportunity in creating a wellness identity that is approachable and integrated across the hotel experience. Wellness isn’t limited to spa services. It includes food, beverage, sleep, and the way guests feel while they’re with us.

This also has translated into how we host and plan meetings, as planners come to us wanting their guests to experience the onsite and nearby wellness amenities. Groups at the hotel have the unique ability to work with NESTRE, the first NEuro-STREngth company to leverage the science of neuroplasticity, work out before meetings at the region’s most advanced wellness center, Lake Nona Performance Center, and try Deepak Chopra’s new Ammortal Chamber that reduces stress and enhances vitality.

Further, food and beverage, in particular, is the spirit and soul of a hotel. It’s often the first point of interaction guests have with a property, and it shapes their overall perception. Most guests don’t arrive to experience the guest room first. They go to the bar or the restaurant. That makes food and beverage foundational to the entire experience.

We’re also seeing a shift in how people consume alcohol. Guests are drinking less in volume but more intentionally. Quality has overtaken quantity. That’s one of the reasons we expanded our wine program so significantly. Guests want one excellent glass paired thoughtfully with their meal rather than several mediocre ones. Mocktails and refined cocktail programs are also gaining traction, allowing guests to participate in the experience without alcohol.

Each of these points ties back to wellness. Guests want balance. They want indulgence, but they also want to feel good about their choices. Our role is to support that without sacrificing experience.

How does technology factor into your approach to hospitality, and where do you see its greatest value?

Hospitality thrives on information. Opinions are useful, but data and observation are what allow us to serve guests well. We pay close attention to consumption patterns, guest feedback, and behavior, but we also listen carefully on an individual level.

The first visit is often a getting-to-know-you experience. By the time of the guest’s second and third visit, we’ve learned preferences and expectations. We document those insights so we can personalize future stays. One size does not fit all. Every visit, meal, and cocktail should feel tailored to the individual.

Technology supports that personalization. Our guest rooms feature View smart glass windows that allow guests to control light and privacy. We monitor indoor air quality throughout the hotel and automatically adjust airflow to enhance comfort. These tools improve experience, but they never replace the human element.

Technology should facilitate service, not complicate it. The smile, the emotional connection, and the sense that someone genuinely cares cannot be automated. When technology makes service easier, it strengthens hospitality. When it attempts to replace it, it fails.

Orlando continues to grow rapidly. Have you seen shifts in business, leisure, or blended travel patterns as a result?

One shift we’ve noticed is that meeting attendees increasingly value personalization and connection, fueling a rise in “micro-events” — smaller, highly focused gatherings that foster genuine engagement. In response to growing demand, Lake Nona Wave Hotel is transforming its larger boardrooms into a series of boutique meeting suites, set to debut in late 2026, designed to accommodate more curated, human-centered experiences.

Further, Lake Nona has always been tech-centric and innovation-focused, and that DNA was built into the community from the very beginning. Unlike other areas that have evolved toward technology, Lake Nona was designed with that future in mind.

The infrastructure reflects that intent. Power lines are underground. The community is smoke-free. There are autonomous electric shuttles, extensive bike paths, and shared mobility options throughout the area. That intentional design attracts businesses and residents who value innovation, which naturally influences the type of guests we serve.

Because of that foundation, what others may experience as change has long been the baseline here.

What challenges are top of mind for you today, and how are you preparing for the next few years?

We face challenges with recruiting and retaining talent, which requires us to rethink traditional approaches. Protecting the guest experience means stabilizing the workforce, and that requires creativity. We’re exploring alternative recruitment strategies while focusing heavily on development and retention. We also have an obligation to be the employer of choice and, collectively, to make hospitality the industry of choice.

What’s most important is showing individuals that there is a future here at Lake Nona Wave Hotel. Just look at me. I started my career washing dishes in a pub in England, and 45 years later I’m still in hospitality.

That trajectory is possible, and we demonstrate that intentionally.

Sustainability and wellness are also among our long-term priorities. We recently earned a 4-Key Rating from Green Key Global, reinforcing our commitment to responsible operations. Sustainability overlaps with wellness in how we manage resources, reduce impact, and contribute positively to the community.

Ultimately, future readiness comes back to fundamentals. Guests should leave feeling like a better version of themselves. That comes from remembering names, understanding preferences, and treating people as individuals, not transactions.

What priorities will guide The Lake Nona Wave Hotel over the next three to five years?

Our first responsibility is to ownership, which means making thoughtful decisions that protect and grow the asset while staying aligned with the long-term vision.

We also need to anticipate trends before they fully emerge, whether that’s wellness innovation, AI, or evolving guest expectations. Wellness, in particular, has a significant runway, from nutrition and sleep to mental and spiritual well-being.

Talent development is equally critical, as the future leaders of the hotel may already be here today. Our role is to recognize that potential, invest in it, and create pathways for growth.

At the same time, we must reinforce what I call the exceptional basics. 

Hospitality is a people business, and we are people-pleasing people. If we can’t deliver great service, great food, and consistent comfort, technology doesn’t matter.

The goal is to blend innovation with human connection in a way that feels seamless. When guests trust that they’ll be cared for, they return and that trust is what sustains a hotel over the long term.