When Renae Leith-Manos shares her profession, she often hears, “You have the best job in the world.” As a luxury hotel consultant, she travels globally, experiencing the pinnacle of hospitality. While the allure of her job is undeniable, Leith-Manos emphasizes the demanding work that unfolds behind the scenes, work that many might overlook.
Leith-Manos did not initially set her sights on advising luxury hotel managers. Her academic pursuits included English, politics, and jazz voice, which eventually led her to a career in journalism. Her tenure at various publications, particularly during her time at News Limited, where she frequently traveled between Adelaide and Los Angeles, sparked her passion for the luxury hotel industry.
The Journey to Luxury Hotel Consulting
It was during her assignments reviewing hotels and restaurants that Leith-Manos realized the potential for a full-time career in luxury travel. Her role at Vogue Entertaining and Travel magazine solidified this path. “With my theatrical, musical background, I’ve always looked at hotels as theater,” she tells nine.com.au.
Leith-Manos draws a parallel between hotels and theater, noting the “backstage” operations and the performance aspect required of staff. “There’s a uniform, a costume you have to wear. So I always gravitated back to it,” she explains. This unique perspective guided her transition into consulting after raising her twins, a period that afforded her the freedom to travel extensively and identify gaps within the hospitality sector.
Building Relationships and Identifying Opportunities
Leith-Manos leveraged her established relationships with general managers to launch her consultancy. “I already had all the general manager relationships, and I started to sit down with them and say, ‘Look, are you aware that this is happening in your hotel?'” she recounts.
The consulting process begins with a one-on-one session with a hotel’s general manager, where Leith-Manos advises on media communication, staff interaction, and potential improvements. Her work extends to staff training, aiming to cultivate an environment where employees anticipate 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 says. “So even three seconds of eye contact, the studies show that can change a guest’s blood pressure, believe it or not.”
The Realities of a Glamorous Career
Despite the glamorous veneer, Leith-Manos admits there are challenges, including the misconception of her life as 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 clarifies.
Her attention to detail is relentless, observing service speed, staff placement, and guest satisfaction. “I don’t go to hotels to escape life, I go there to almost dissect it,” she adds.
Looking Forward: The Future of Luxury Travel
As the luxury travel industry evolves, Leith-Manos’s role becomes increasingly crucial. Her insights help hotels adapt to changing expectations, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of hospitality excellence. The demand for personalized, anticipatory service continues to grow, and consultants like Leith-Manos are key to meeting these demands.
Her journey from journalism to luxury hotel consulting underscores the diverse paths one can take within the travel industry. As she continues to shape guest experiences worldwide, Leith-Manos exemplifies how passion and expertise can transform a career into an art form.
