When Renae Leith-Manos shares her career with others, the reaction is often one of envy. As a luxury hotel consultant, she travels globally, staying in some of the world’s most opulent hotels. However, while it may seem like a dream job, Leith-Manos emphasizes the significant work that occurs behind the scenes, work that many would not anticipate.
Leith-Manos’s journey into luxury hotel consulting wasn’t a childhood aspiration. Her academic background is in English, politics, and jazz voice, leading her initially into journalism. Her career took a pivotal turn during her tenure at News Limited, where frequent travel between Adelaide and Los Angeles to interview celebrities sparked her interest in the luxury hotel sector. This passion was further solidified during her time at Vogue Entertaining and Travel magazine, where she realized, “Oh, I could actually do this as a full-time gig.”
The Theatrical World of Luxury Hotels
Leith-Manos draws intriguing parallels between hotels and theater. “With my theatrical, musical background, I’ve always looked at hotels as theater,” she explains. “There’s a backstage, as there is in a theater. There’s a performance that you have to put on as a staff member. There’s a uniform, a costume you have to wear. So I always gravitated back to it.”
After raising twins, Leith-Manos found herself with more freedom to travel, which led her to notice operational issues within hotels. This realization prompted her to establish her own consulting business, leveraging her existing relationships with general managers to initiate improvements.
Consulting: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
The consulting process begins with a one-on-one meeting between Leith-Manos and a hotel’s general manager. Here, she provides coaching on media interaction, staff communication, and potential improvements. Her work extends to closely collaborating with staff to ensure they are always “one step ahead” in anticipating guest needs.
“Just thinking and understanding what journey their guest is on. It’s not rocket science, but a lot of these small little things are missed,” she notes. “So even three seconds of eye contact, the studies show that can change a guest’s blood pressure, believe it or not.”
Despite the glamorous veneer, Leith-Manos admits the job has its downsides, such as the inability to enjoy a vacation without scrutiny. “There is a misconception that my life is a permanent vacation, but in reality, I like to say when I’m in a hotel, I’m the hardest working person there because I’m not relaxing by the pool, I’m watching,” she explains. “How long it takes for a towel, if someone’s in place, if the guest is getting agitated. I’m looking for all of that. I don’t go to hotels to escape life, I go there to almost dissect it.”
Implications and Future Outlook
The luxury hotel industry is continuously evolving, driven by changing consumer expectations and technological advancements. As a consultant, Leith-Manos’s role is critical in helping hotels adapt to these changes, ensuring they deliver exceptional experiences that align with the latest trends.
Looking forward, the demand for luxury hotel consultants is likely to grow as hotels strive to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. Leith-Manos’s unique approach, blending theatrical insight with practical hospitality knowledge, positions her well in this niche field.
Ultimately, while the job of a luxury hotel consultant may appear glamorous, it requires a keen eye for detail, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for enhancing guest experiences. As Leith-Manos continues to navigate this exciting industry, her story serves as an inspiration to those looking to carve out a career in the world of luxury travel.
