A Wealth of Insight: The World's Best Luxury Hoteliers on Leadership, Management, and the Future of 5-Star Hospitality

As someone who has long been fascinated by the entire luxury hotel experience, I have been waiting for exactly this kind of book to come along. I treated myself to the hardcover for Christmas and it is absolutely beautiful. As I flipped through the various hotelier profiles (and countless photos), I was taken by their individual journeys and career insights. Not only is it a compelling read, but the book also functions as my new global bucket-list — and has earned a spot on my coffee table for a long, long time!

A gorgeous book! Amazing insights from around the world from the best in the business. It really is that simple. I bought this book because I love to travel and am always drawn to the symphony of five-star hotels, and this book delivers. The author's profiles of each general manager captures the essence of what defines world-class service, and the ample photos are a beautiful complement. A Wealth of Insight has earned its place on my coffee table. I'm already planning my next vacation!

I enjoyed reading this book and getting an insiders view of the different management philosophies, idiosyncracies, small touches, and values that shaped the operations, strategy, customer experience and competitive approach to some of the most timeless and sought-after hotels in the world. The best part was for me was reading the exposées of some of the hotels I have stayed in to see if the mantras shared by the management were a signature part of the experience. A great book for those looking to acquire different insights into management.

An incredible book that shares amazing insights from hospitality professionals around the world. From how they started their careers, to how they envision the future of this incredible industry. Truly a wealth of practical knowledge that can inspire those looking to start their hospitality careers or just searching for experience based guidance. A must read book, artfully written by Rahim B. Kanani.

It was great being able to read this book for my summer course at Georgetown. What stood out to me the most was how each individual leader in the hospitality industry openly shared about their backgrounds, challenges, lessons, and goals. Who would've known that each person in this book still have so much more to accomplish within their career? I found that very motivational. I was able to personally connect to a lot of the stories on how they go about their company's daily operations as I am too a hospitality and tourism leader aspiring to possibly be where they are one day. A lot of them still had their own traditional styles on how they operate but I would like to see within the next book newer leaders who like to manage in a more non traditional way. As a millennial, we have are bringing a new and creative approach to our industry attracting various people from the traditionalists, baby boomers, generation x, and the millennial traveler. I would like to see how those leaders operate as it might be different from mine, but different to see their vantage point in our industry. Overall, this book did define the new characteristic of luxury. Thank you Kanani for sharing this book with us!

Infusions of decadent & diverse locations, paired with well-written profiles that give you a behind-the-scenes look into the strategies/philosophies of the 'big players' in hospitality management. As someone who works in the visitor services/tourism industry, I definitely see this book as a reflective professional development tool to share with my front line staff team. Kanani is a talented wordsmith, and I highly recommend this book.

Whether you are interested in this industry or not, you will be fascinated by what Rahim Kanani unearths in terms of what it takes to run the world’s best hotels. His interviews with some of the most successful hoteliers provide snappy and often surprising takeaways that move beyond clichés. The book is also beautifully designed, with photos that offer a glimpse of what represents absolute luxury and perfection.

It's a great idea of a book, but for one that has the word "wealth" in the title, it certainly has a very cheap quality paper and not so good pictures as expected.

A must read for anyone who is aiming for the top (or is already there) in the hotel industry of today!

WOW! This book had me hooked from the moment I picked it up. It was love at first sight! You know that feeling when a book just speaks to you? This was it. It’s all about the luxury hospitality industry, featuring interviews with 36 General Managers from stunning five-star hotels around the world—think France, Russia, Maldives, Australia, the UAE, and so many more. Each General Manager shares their personal stories, leadership tips, and practical advice, all divided into really easy-to-read sections. The book dives into how these managers got into hospitality—some were inspired by family, others by travel or simply a love for people. It covers topics like managing teams, hiring the right staff, considering generational differences among guests, and admitting mistakes made along the way. Another area was also how hotels manage their marketing and the use of technology. The GMs talk about using social media to enhance guest experiences, whether it’s researching a guest’s preferences before arrival or crafting themed marketing campaigns. There’s also a deeper exploration of blending tradition with innovation—something that’s crucial in an industry where timeless service meets modern expectations. The book is a visual treat too. It’s hardcover, with beautiful photos of the hotels and highlighted quotes. I felt like these Hoteliers are sitting right next to me, casually sharing their behind-the-scenes wisdom. For me, the most fascinating parts were about crafting those WOW moments for guests. There’s one about a guest with dementia who got lost in a Chinese city. Imagine, the hotel staff had to figure out how to find them! And another about a woman with severe allergies—she was so anxious at dinner, but there was this thoughtful waiter who went out of his way to reassure her, and it made all the difference. But there were so many more stories like that—just really heartfelt moments where you see the human side of hospitality. What surprised me: some of the insights were eye-opening. For instance, I had no idea that some hotels research guests’ social media profiles before they arrive—especially influencers. They use that information to meet special requests and avoid bad reviews. Another cool detail? Housekeepers are trained to notice small things in a guest’s room, like a running magazine, and might provide jogging maps or recommendations. It’s all about anticipating needs in ways most of us wouldn’t even think of. The book also talks about the challenges of hiring and training teams in such a fast-paced industry. Many of the managers stressed the importance of finding employees who genuinely care about people—because while skills can be taught, empathy, having the right attitude and passion for service come from within. Lessons Learned There are so many takeaways, but these stood out: * Empathy and understanding are huge in leadership The best leaders in hospitality really make it a point to understand every role in the hotel. A lot of the General Managers said they started from the bottom—like working in different roles —so they could build empathy and really connect with their teams. * Paying attention to the little things makes all the difference You know how some hotels just feel special? Turns out, it’s the small, thoughtful details that make all the difference. The book talks a lot about anticipating guests’ needs and creating those WOW moments that stick with people long after their stay. * You’ve got to stay calm and flexible There were some great stories about how these leaders handled tough situations. It really showed how important it is to stay calm under pressure and think on your feet to solve problems creatively. * Personalisation is everything I didn’t realise how much effort goes into making a stay feel tailored to the guest. They even research preferences! But the book also made a great point about not jumping to conclusions—like, just because someone orders gin once doesn’t mean it’s their favourite drink. It’s all about spotting patterns and really getting it right. * Learning never stops A lot of these Hoteliers admitted to making mistakes in their careers, but they all see it as part of the process. It’s such a good reminder that leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about growing and improving constantly. * And passion for people is at the heart of it all What really stood out to me was how much these leaders care about people—whether it’s the guests or their teams. That genuine connection and enthusiasm are what makes hospitality so special. One thing I noticed: out of 36 hoteliers, only three were women. Including more female leaders would’ve added valuable perspectives and diversity to the mix. This book left a lasting impression on me—not just as someone who loves travel but as someone who values creativity and the art of making people feel special. It’s packed with lessons that go far beyond the hospitality industry, and next time I’m at a hotel, I’ll definitely be paying closer attention to the little details. Whether you're working in hospitality, studying it, or simply curious about what it takes to run a five-star hotel, this book offers valuable insights. Even if you have no connection to the industry, it provides a fascinating glimpse into a world that's rarely seen and might give you a new perspective on hotels and customer service. Take your time with it—it’s like a box of luxury chocolates, with each chapter offering something unique and insightful. By the end, I was left wanting more stories and advice from these leaders. Reaching the last page (340) felt like the end of something I didn’t want to finish. I was curious for more, and when I discovered there’s a sequel, I couldn’t resist picking it up as well. This book truly deserves recognition for its remarkable effort and insightful content.

Inspiring read ! It's an enriching experience to understand the different viewpoints of the mentioned General managers with their vast experience ! An eye opener how the hoteliers run the show.

Es un gran libro para hoteleros . Te inspira a seguir dando lo mejor de ti en esta apasionante industria.

useful book for those who is in the industry. In the book you could find testimony of successful hospitality managers. You learn many tips from it.