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Who we are

At Hospitality ESL, we connect hotel professionals with live, expert teachers for workplace English and Spanish training—boosting careers and team performance.

Upskilling cuts hotel turnover by 75%, and our interactive, real-time classes make promotions 2.2x more likely. More than just a course, we’re a community dedicated to your success.

Learn from real teachers, in real time. Join us and advance your hospitality career today!

Our Values

  • Community

    Community

    Our programs foster a supportive work environment where all employees feel valued and included. By investing in language skills, you not only improve communication but also build a stronger sense of community within your team.

  • Excellence

    Excellence

    Elevate the level of service your hotel provides by equipping your staff with the language proficiency needed to exceed guest expectations. Our tailored ESL programs empower your team to deliver exceptional customer service and ensure guest satisfaction.

  • Growth

    Growth

    Language skills are essential to unlocking new opportunities for career advancement. With our ESL training, your staff can develop the proficiency needed to take their careers to new heights and contribute to the growth and success of your hotel.

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Our Story

Before the pandemic, our founder Zane Varvel began online Spanish classes with an excellent language teacher. As a hotel owner experiencing the challenges of turnover during Covid, he recognized the devoted staff who were helping did not know English. He decided to connect them with the great teachers he’d met in the online language learning community. Their enthusiasm and satisfaction allowed Zane to upskill some of his employees to another small business, saving their year! 

Chandell Stone was a friend of Zane’s, and the two had connected in Mexico City’s burgeoning startup community. When Zane shared with Chandell what he was doing with his staff via live language learning, Chandell lit up and said “this is my jam. Let’s build something”. 
Chandell’s educational expertise and Zane’s hospitality investment and operations knowledge have partnered to build a comprehensive language learning program for the hospitality industry.

Meet the Founders

Zane Varvel, CEO

CEO

Zane Varvel

Zane Varvel is a seasoned hospitality investor and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the industry. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Hospitality ESL, he is dedicated to bridging the gap between language learning and the hospitality sector, empowering professionals with the communication skills they need to thrive in global markets.

In addition to his work at Hospitality ESL, Zane is also the Founder of WorkLingua, a platform focused on language education solutions. His passion for education and hospitality innovation has positioned him as a leader in creating tailored learning experiences for the industry.

Before launching his own ventures, Zane built an impressive career in hotel investment advisory. He served as Vice President at HREC Investment Advisors (2016–2019) and Warmbrodt Hotel Investments, Inc. (2008–2016), where he played a key role in hospitality real estate transactions, acquisitions, and strategic advisory services. His expertise in hotel brokerage began with his role as a Sales Associate at Grubb & Ellis/Pacific Realty, where he gained valuable insight into commercial real estate.

Now based in Mexico City, Zane continues to leverage his deep industry knowledge to create innovative solutions at the intersection of hospitality, education, and investment.

Chandell Stone, Chief Education Officer

Chief Education Officer

Chandell Stone

Chandell Stone is an education innovator and entrepreneur dedicated to expanding access to high-quality learning experiences. As Chief Education Officer at Hospitality ESL, she designs language education solutions that empower hospitality professionals worldwide. She is also the Founder of Chany Ventures, where she develops programs at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and global impact.

Chandell has a deep background in leadership, investment, and program development. She serves as an Advisory Board Member for Village Capital’s US Women in Tech Program and a Mentor at Techstars, supporting women-led startups and emerging entrepreneurs. Previously, she held executive roles at 3 Day Startup and founded Destination Impact, a volunteer travel company creating service opportunities across the African Diaspora.

Her career in education includes leadership roles at Success Academy Charter Schools, Degrees of Freedom (YC W21), and fellowships with Kapor Capital, Building Excellent Schools, and the Georgia Charter Schools Association.

Now based in Mexico City, Chandell continues to drive global education initiatives, shaping the future of learning through innovation, investment, and strategic partnerships.