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Jessica Tapfar, Hotel Manager at The Chancery Rosewood, has built an impressive career in hospitality, inspired by her favourite childhood book, Eloise at The Plaza. Growing up in Connecticut, Jessica began her journey at the young age of 16, working as a breakfast room service waitress at the Stamford Marriott in Connecticut. She later earned her degree in hotel administration from Cornell University and rose through the ranks at iconic properties like the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and Amsterdam, and The Ned in London. As she prepares to open one of London’s most anticipated new hotels, The Chancery Rosewood, Jessica shares insights on her journey, the challenges of balancing work and life, leading with humility and integrity, and the excitement of revitalizing a historic building in a fresh, contemporary way—all while embracing her new role as a mom!
What drew you toward a career in hospitality?
I grew up in Connecticut, and from a young age, I was fascinated by hotels. My love for hospitality started with the book Eloise, which my parents gave me. I was enchanted by the idea of living in a hotel and was always excited to explore them wherever we traveled. This passion led me to play "make-believe hotel" in my basement as a child and eventually pursue a career in the industry.
Can you tell us about your first job in hospitality?
My first job in hospitality was as a room service waiter at the Stamford Marriott when I was 16. I worked the 6 AM breakfast shift on weekends, and my parents would drop me off since I couldn't drive yet. I spent my weekends and summers gaining experience in various departments at that hotel until I graduated from high school. It was a great introduction to the industry, and I loved every moment of it.
How did you decide to attend Cornell for hospitality?
I wanted to study hospitality, so I looked for the best hospitality schools, and Cornell stood out. The program's reputation and the opportunities it offered made it an easy choice for me. It was a fantastic four years that truly prepared me for my career.
What was your experience like starting out at the Waldorf Astoria in New York?
I started at the Waldorf Astoria as part of Hilton's management development program. There were 10 of us who began together, and we even lived in the hotel for the first few months, which was a lot of fun. I was there for five years and worked my way up through different leadership roles. My final role was as the Director of Operations for the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, which was a boutique hotel within the main hotel, with its own staff and services. It was an incredible experience, and I had the chance to work with some truly great mentors.
Starting your career at such a young age, how did you deal with managing people older than you?
It was definitely challenging. I was 22 when I became the evening front desk manager at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, working from 2 PM to 2 AM. I was often the most senior person in the building by 8 PM, despite being the youngest and least experienced. Managing people with much more experience was a learning curve, but I leaned on them for guidance during crises. I learned early on that humility and respect are crucial in leadership, especially when you're young and new in your role.
Did you ever feel that being young and in a leadership position made it difficult to gain respect from your team?
I didn’t feel that way because I approached my team with honesty and a willingness to learn from their experience. I asked for their input and respected their knowledge. Over time, as I demonstrated that I was listening and learning, I earned their respect. It’s all about building trust and showing that you value their expertise.
When the Waldorf Astoria closed for renovation, you moved to Amsterdam to become the Director of Operations. Again, you were still very young, only 26. How did that go?
Moving to Amsterdam was exciting and challenging. It was a big cultural shift for me, especially coming from New York's fast-paced environment. While everyone in Amsterdam spoke English, many of the side conversations and emails were in Dutch, which was initially difficult to navigate. Additionally, I was entering a top-level position in an environment where I didn’t have the role progression, unlike at the Waldorf New York, where I had worked my way up over time. The work culture in Europe was also different; for example, people would leave the office at 5 PM, which was a stark contrast to what I was used to previously. Over time, I learned to respect and appreciate the work-life balance that was more ingrained in the local culture. It was a valuable experience that taught me a lot about adapting to new environments and led to significant personal and professional growth.
Who has inspired you in your career? Have you had female bosses to look up to?
While I've had a few female leaders who have inspired me, I've never worked for a female GM. Most of my mentors have been men, and they’ve been instrumental in my development. Particularly in Amsterdam, my General Manager (Roberto Payer) always put me forward for extra leadership programs and opportunities. However, I've had to find my own style of leadership, especially in how I deliver messages and handle difficult conversations. Men communicate differently than women. I hope that in my current role, I can be a role model for the women on my team, showing them that you can lead effectively with integrity and humility.
You've recently joined The Chancery Rosewood to open what surely will be one of the most exciting new properties in London next year. What drew you to the company?
Rosewood's commitment to its people and culture is what really attracted me. Their employee value proposition resonated with me, especially their focus on gender diversity, environmental impact, and giving back to the community through their Rosewood Impacts program. I am particularly inspired by the leadership of Sonia Cheng, the CEO, who is young, dynamic, and truly visionary. The fact that Rosewood is committed to not just talking about diversity but actually demonstrating it in their leadership and operations was a huge draw. The opportunity to open a unique property like The Chancery Rosewood in such a vibrant city as London, which has to be one of the best cities in the world for world class hospitality.
Tell us about The Chancery Rosewood; it certainly is an iconic building. I have plenty of memories of going when it was the US Embassy.
The Chancery Rosewood is truly a remarkable project, and it's amazing to see the transformation of such an iconic building. The design is bright, airy, and contemporary, which is quite different from the more traditional hotels in Mayfair. We've worked hard to maintain the building's heritage while also creating a fresh, modern space that feels very much a part of London today. The hotel will have 144 rooms, including 44 suites, with entry-level rooms starting at about 56 square meters (600 square feet), making them some of the most spacious in the city. There will also be 10 food and beverage offerings, extensive event spaces, state-of-the-art wellness facilities, and a rooftop bar with stunning views over Grosvenor Square. We're focused on making The Chancery Rosewood more than just a hotel—it's about creating a destination that gives back and enriches the community, with strong connections to local arts, culture, and sustainability. The goal is to offer something unique and exciting in a city already rich with great hospitality options.
I see you’re wearing a wedding ring. How do you manage work-life balance, especially in such a demanding industry?
Work-life balance is something I’ve had to proactively manage. I met my now wife in Amsterdam during COVID and due to the pandemic, my job was much different, I was working 9 to 5 in a closed hotel. After the pandemic, we moved to London and normal hotel operating hours resumed. She was surprised by the stark change in my workday, so we had plenty of conversations about it and learned how to plan time together. This has helped me as a leader too, I always try to complete work schedules well in advance, particularly for weekends, to ensure everyone on the team can have quality time off. Open communication and advance planning are key. We also recently had a baby, which has added a new dimension to balancing work and personal life!
Quickfire with Jessica
What is your morning routine?
Must start the day with an oat milk flat white, it’s a non-negotiable for me!
What do you do for self-care?
I play tennis, eat well and love a spa visit.
What is your top travel tip?
Use packing cubes—they're a game changer! They help keep everything organized and make it so much easier to find what you need without rummaging through your entire suitcase. Plus, they maximize space, so you can pack more efficiently and keep things tidy throughout your trip.
Any beauty tips?
Always wear SPF 50 sunscreen every day, no matter the weather! I have fair skin, so it's especially important for me, but it's a great practice for everyone. Consistent sun protection is key to long-term skin health.
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