When Renae Leith-Manos shares her profession with others, the response is often one of envy. As a luxury hotel consultant, she travels the globe, experiencing the finest accommodations each destination has to offer. While the job is undeniably appealing, Leith-Manos emphasizes that it involves much more than meets the eye.
Leith-Manos did not initially set out to advise luxury hotel managers. Her academic background is in English, politics, and jazz voice, which led her to a career in journalism. Her tenure at various publications, particularly at News Limited, where she frequently traveled between Adelaide and Los Angeles for celebrity interviews, sparked her interest in the luxury hotel industry. It was during her time at Vogue Entertaining and Travel magazine that she realized she could turn this passion into a full-time career.
Theatrical Roots and the Birth of a Career
With a background in theater and music, Leith-Manos views hotels as stages where every staff member plays a role. “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,” she explains.
After raising twins, Leith-Manos found herself with more freedom to travel and began noticing areas for improvement within hotels. This realization led her to establish her own business as a luxury hotel consultant. Her existing relationships with general managers allowed her to initiate dialogues about potential improvements in their establishments.
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. She offers guidance on media interaction, staff communication, and potential enhancements. Her goal is to create an environment where staff members are consistently “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.”
The Reality Behind the Glamour
Despite the allure of her career, Leith-Manos is quick to dispel the myth that her life is a perpetual vacation. “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 Prospects
The luxury hotel industry is ever-evolving, and consultants like Leith-Manos play a crucial role in maintaining high standards. Her work ensures that hotels not only meet but exceed guest expectations, fostering loyalty and enhancing the overall experience.
Looking ahead, Leith-Manos anticipates continued growth in the luxury travel sector, driven by an increasing demand for personalized and exceptional experiences. Her insights and expertise will undoubtedly remain invaluable as hotels strive to adapt to these changing expectations.
In partnership with CareerOne, Leith-Manos’s story provides a glimpse into a unique and dynamic career path, one that combines passion, expertise, and the pursuit of excellence in the world of luxury travel.
