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Last week, the inaugural #50BestTalks event took place at The Dorchester in London as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels celebrations. Notably, five of the seven speakers were women, reflecting the growing influence of female leaders in the hospitality industry. The event, moderated by Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Bars and Hotels at The World's 50 Best, featured five sessions where these industry leaders shared their insights on how luxury hotels are adapting to meet the demands of a changing world. Here are some of the highlights.
Radha Arora: Leading Change at Rosewood
Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels, opened the day with a reflection on his 40-year career, during which he has spent the last 13 years at Rosewood, leading the company through a period of significant transformation. Arora emphasized that Rosewood is a "humble, purpose-led brand" with a focus on concentrated, strategic growth. He described the brand’s evolution as one that prioritizes working with local communities and establishing authentic connections in the places where it operates.
"We are very strategic about where Rosewood belongs," Arora noted, explaining how the brand seeks out unique destinations and integrates deeply with the local culture. Rosewood’s approach is intentionally humble, focused on creating intimate, meaningful guest experiences rather than chasing aggressive expansion. Arora highlighted that "Rosewood's growth is about quality over quantity," with upcoming openings in London, Amsterdam, and Japan, emphasizing a soft, community-driven presence.
In addition to its renowned Rosewood Hotels & Resorts properties, which include iconic destinations like The Carlyle in New York, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, and Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, the brand also includes New World Hotels & Resorts, Carlyle & Co., a new club offering, and the wellness-focused Asaya. Arora discussed how Rosewood is adapting to new travel trends, especially the rise in multi-generational travel post-COVID. "People want to travel collectively," he said, and Rosewood has adjusted its offerings to accommodate these shifting preferences by increasing its suite-to-room ratio.
Liam Bailey: Next-Gen Wealth and the Rise of Branded Residences
Liam Bailey of Knight Frank delivered a data-packed session on global wealth trends and their impact on luxury travel. His key takeaway was the rapid rise of next-generation wealth, with significant growth in female wealth holders and wealth transfers between generations. He pointed out that "Wealth creation has returned in 2024. This has created 25,300 additional UHNWIs between 2022 and 2023, with a total net worth of USD $759 billion."
Women now make up about 11% of the world's ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), an increase from 8% less than a decade ago. The report suggests that this trend will continue, with the number of female UHNWIs increasing by 38% over the past decade. And 81% of affluent female Gen-Zs expect to grow their wealth this year, making women a trending segment of the luxury market.
81% of affluent female Gen-Zs expect to grow their wealth this year, making women a trending segment of the luxury market.
Bailey also highlighted the increasing prominence of hospitality-branded residences, particularly in Miami, Palm Beach, and Dubai. He noted a 21% growth in the ultra-luxury market, with "Dubai and Miami leading in sales of properties over $10 million." This trend, he explained, reflects the growing desire for exclusive, branded real estate, particularly post-pandemic, as mobility and the pursuit of premium property continue to rise.
Panel of Leading Hoteliers: Lessons from the Top
One of the day’s highlights was a candid panel discussion featuring Valentina De Santis, owner, Passalacqua on Lake Comoa, Marlene Poynder, Managing Director, The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel in New York, and Krissada Sukosol Clapp, owner, The Siam in Bangkok. The panelists shared personal stories of managing luxury hotels and the challenges they’ve faced along the way.
Marlene Poynder, the first female GM of The Carlyle in New York, discussed overcoming difficulties with an alpha-type boss earlier in her career, sharing advice from a women in leadership course: "Take yourself out of the equation and focus on solving the problem for the leader." Krissada Sukosol Clapp reflected on building The Siam in Bangkok, noting humorous regrets such as "not having enough outlets and wishing for a bigger pool," but his real regret was losing key team members during the pandemic.
Valentina De Santis, who leads her family’s property, Passalacqua, on Lake Como, emphasized the importance of heritage and authenticity in hospitality. "Hospitality means opening our hearts," she said, describing the family’s mission of creating a welcoming space where guests feel like an extended part of their family. "Everything we do is to pay homage to those who came before us—my parents, my grandparents. Family love comes first." She also shared that working with family comes with challenges: "Yes, having a family-owned property is a blessing; it’s not just your job, it’s your life. But working with your parents can also be a nightmare. We often have completely opposite opinions, but it’s from these clashes that the best ideas come out."
As the session wrapped up, the hoteliers left the audience with valuable parting advice. Marlene Poynder urged attendees to "stay true to who you are; don't try to be something at work that you're not." She shared a pivotal moment in her career when a coach advised her, "to have 30-year big audacious goals—if you have two-five-year goals, you may bypass opportunities. That changed my life." Krissada Sukosol Clapp added, "Stay weird, and keep making new mistakes. You can’t learn if you’re not trying new things." Valentina De Santis echoed the importance of passion and authenticity, advising, "If you can dream it, you can do it. Dream big and don’t be afraid to reach for the stars."
Hyper-Personalization with Maybourne’s Rebecca Burdess
Rebecca Burdess, Global Head of Guest Experiences & Services, Maybourne Hotel Group, gave an insightful talk on the growing demand for hyper-personalized hospitality. "Personalization is often misunderstood," she said, stressing that true luxury is about creating a world where guests are not just recognized but remembered.
Burdess explained how technology enables deeper personalization by tracking guest preferences, but she emphasized that "we are still a human business. It’s the emotional connections we build and sustain that make all the difference." From the right temperature in a guest's room to a perfectly stocked minibar, knowing these thoughtful details builds lasting loyalty. This is why Maybourne has spent millions of pounds over the last 12 months codifying service standards and implemented a best-in-class holistic feedback platform that "has never been done before in the hotel industry."
Diana Banks: How to Stand Out When Everyone is Outstanding
Diana Banks, a communications consultant and head of Maven Hospitality, closed the event by discussing the challenge of differentiation in an increasingly crowded luxury hotel market. "True luxury is not about amenities; it's about how you make people feel," she said. Banks emphasized that hotels must build emotional connections through small, genuine gestures.
She also stressed the importance of cultural sensitivity and boldness in design and ethos. "It hotels know who they are—they're not for everyone," she noted, encouraging hoteliers to stay true to their vision and remain confident in what they offer.
Overall, the #50BestTalks: Upacked underscored the importance of authenticity, innovation, and emotional connection in today’s competitive luxury market. As the industry continues to evolve, these leaders show that staying true to core values while embracing change is the key to shaping the future of hospitality!
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