Luxury hotel brands offer exceptional hospitality careers with distinctive ambience, exceptional service, prime locations, beautifully designed rooms, and rich heritage. The reputation for excellence among luxury hotel chains attracts guests who expect the best in every aspect of their stay.

Aside from delivering unforgettable guest experiences, high-end hotels offer incredible opportunities for career development, advancement, and international travel. Here we’ll explore what makes a hotel brand luxurious, give our choice of the top 10 luxury hotel brands worldwide, and describe what skills and qualifications you’ll need to work at a top luxury hotel.

What is a luxury hotel brand?

Luxury and boutique hotel brands offer premium amenities, exceptional quality, and personalized attention to guests in desirable locations such as city centers, beauty spots, or tropical settings. Elegant design, high-end furnishings, and upscale services and amenities, such as spas, fine dining, concierge, valet, and 24-hour room service, typically characterize luxury hotel chains.

If you like the sound of working at a luxury hotel brand, a Bachelor’s in hotel management will provide you with the knowledge and skills to work with luxury hotel brands.

Evaluating luxury hotel brands as employers

When evaluating a luxury hotel brand from a potential employee perspective, you’ll need to look beyond the grandeur or exotic location. Examine the brand’s management structure, reputation, industry history, workplace culture, benefits, and track record of employee satisfaction and retention as part of your research.

Research the brand’s policies on training, professional development, career advancement, and salary packages. Employee review websites such as Glassdoor can provide valuable insights into company culture and the working environment.

Overview of top luxury hotel brands and their career opportunities

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Luxury hotel chains offer a range of career opportunities in areas such as hospitality management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, and more. These brands value exceptional customer service and offer ample professional growth and development opportunities in areas such as front desk management, food and beverage management, housekeeping management, sales and marketing, operations management, human resources, and spa management.

World’s best luxury hotel brands 2023

There are many superb luxury hotel operators across the world. Here are just a few which stood out from our research, and which we list in alphabetical order:

Belmond

Belmond Hotels & Resorts is a renowned luxury hospitality brand with a global presence in stunning destinations. The brand’s timeless elegance and sophisticated style make it an ideal choice for romantic getaways, family vacations, or solo adventures. Belmond’s knowledgeable and friendly staff create a welcoming atmosphere, while their commitment to preserving cultural heritage and sustainable tourism practices make them a top choice for those seeking an aspirational and educational vacation. Additionally, Belmond offers employees opportunities for professional growth and development, making it a desirable employer in the hospitality industry.

Bulgari

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading high-end hotels and part of the larger Bulgari Group, known for high-end jewelry and luxury goods. Bulgari offers a unique blend of Italian hospitality and elegance with modern amenities to create an unforgettable guest experience. The brand has several locations worldwide, including London, Milan, Bali, and Beijing, and is known for providing the highest levels of luxury and service to guests. For employees, the brand provides opportunities for professional growth and development, exposure to diverse cultures, and the chance to work in some of the world’s most exciting destinations.

EDITION

The EDITION Hotel brand is a global luxury hotel chain that offers stylish and sophisticated accommodations in vibrant locations worldwide. The brand is known for its contemporary design, exceptional service, and vibrant social scene, catering to a wide range of guests seeking unique and memorable experiences. EDITION hotels provide luxurious and comfortable accommodations, exceptional dining options, and a commitment to sustainability and community engagement. The brand also offers employees opportunities for professional growth and development, making it a desirable employer in the hospitality industry. Overall, the EDITION hotel brand delivers an exceptional guest experience, blending luxury and comfort with a unique and contemporary style.

Fairmont

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has a rich history of providing guests with exceptional hospitality, luxurious experiences, and lavish décor with grand chandeliers, imposing pillars, and famous artwork. Employees are expected to embody the brand’s values of quality, elegance, and hospitality, and to be committed to delivering the highest levels of customer service. The working environment at Fairmont is fast-paced and dynamic, and the brand values employee development, offering a range of professional growth and advancement opportunities.

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is known for its exceptional hospitality, commitment to quality, and attention to detail. With more than 100 properties worldwide in destinations such as Dubai, Sydney, and Paris, Four Seasons offers guests a unique blend of comfort and luxury, creating unforgettable experiences. With its track record of continual growth and innovation, Four Seasons offers employees a range of benefits, career progression opportunities, employee referral programs, and a family atmosphere.

Jumeirah

Jumeirah is a global luxury hotel brand that originated in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The brand has since expanded worldwide, offering exceptional hospitality services in some of the world’s most iconic destinations. Jumeirah is known for its exceptional service, contemporary design, and commitment to sustainability, providing guests with a unique and memorable experience. The brand’s knowledgeable and friendly staff create a welcoming atmosphere, while their commitment to sustainability and community engagement is evident in every aspect of their properties. Jumeirah also offers employees opportunities for professional growth and development, making it a desirable employer in the hospitality industry. 

Mandarin Oriental

With hotels in some of the world’s most desirable destinations, including New York, Bangkok, and London, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, modern comforts, and timeless elegance, creating a truly exceptional guest experience. More than 30 hotels operate within the Mandarin Oriental brand, each hotel featuring world-class amenities, contemporary glamor, innovative design, and a unique sense of place. Working at Mandarin Oriental hotels offers a unique opportunity to be part of a luxury hospitality brand with a strong commitment to heritage, culture, diversity, and inclusion.

Ritz-Carlton

Ritz-Carlton is one of the most famous high-end hotels, with a rich heritage and establishments in some of the world’s top destinations, including Paris, Tokyo, Hawaii, and Washington, DC. With suites offering stunning views, extravagant interiors, and superior décor, Ritz-Carlton offers an experience that is both elegant and modern, with an emphasis on personalized attention and guest satisfaction. Ritz-Carlton provides prestige career opportunities with competitive benefits packages, career advancement programs, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

Rosewood

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts are located in some of the world’s most desirable destinations, including New York, London, Paris, and the Caribbean, focusing on providing exceptional hospitality and bespoke guest experiences. Each hotel within the brand has a unique style and atmosphere that reflects its location, culture, and history. Working at Rosewood provides the opportunity to be part of a brand that values attention to detail and customization, takes a proactive approach to environmental sustainability, and delivers the highest levels of customer service.

Shangri-La

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is a luxury brand with over 100 hotels in some of the world’s most impressive destinations, including Hong Kong, Paris, and Sydney. Shangri-La is known for its elegance, exceptional hospitality, spacious rooms, tranquil settings, and a focus on creating memorable guest experiences. Working at Shangri-La offers a supportive and dynamic work environment, a competitive benefits package, and opportunities for career growth and personal development.

Six Senses

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas operates properties worldwide in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations. The brand is focused on sustainable and eco-friendly tourism and creating unique and memorable guest experiences while promoting wellness and sustainability. Six Senses offers a variety of wellness experiences delivered by experts, including celebrity chefs, spa practitioners, marine biologists, and astrologers. Working at Six Senses provides the opportunity to be part of a brand dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and promoting a more sustainable future.

W Hotels

With hotels in over 24 countries worldwide, W Hotels & Resorts is a top luxury hotel chain known for its stylish design, cutting-edge technology, and vibrant social scene. Each hotel offers a modern, upscale experience, including Champagne check-ins, rooftop pools, and lively nightclubs that appeal to a younger, trend-conscious clientele. Working at a W Hotel provides the opportunity to be part of a dynamic, creative, and fast-paced environment and to develop skills in hospitality and customer service and career opportunities in various fields.

Waldorf Astoria

Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts is known for iconic properties, elegant décor, exceptional service, and high-end dining experiences. Its hotels are located in popular destinations such as New York City, Beverly Hills, and Beijing. Working at Waldorf Astoria offers a luxury hospitality experience with opportunities for growth, competitive benefits, and employee benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, dining discounts, and travel perks. Waldorf Astoria’s commitment to luxury and service offers an exciting and rewarding workplace.

To this list you could add many other fantastic brands, some of which are leaders in their home markets while others are rising fast within the global industry. These include (but are not limited to): Sofitel, St. Regis, Peninsula, Aman Resorts, Banyan Tree, One&Only Resorts, Taj, Atlantis, Park Hyatt, and Oberoi. 

Skills and experiences valuable to a career in luxury hospitality

Luxury management within the hotel industry involves overseeing the operations and maintenance of luxury hotels and resorts and ensuring the delivery of exceptional guest experiences. You will need a combination of education, experience, and a passion for delivering exceptional customer service. You’ll need excellent people skills, strong communication and leadership skills, attention to detail, financial acumen, a thorough understanding of sales and marketing, and strong technical skills.

An international business hospitality degree or a Master’s hospitality degree from a respected institution like Glion can be priceless for pursuing a career in the luxury hospitality industry. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry and develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in various roles.

In addition to a degree, gaining hands-on experience through hospitality internships, work placements, or part-time jobs in the hospitality industry can provide you with practical experience and help you build a strong network of professional contacts.

Benefits of pursuing a career in luxury hospitality

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So, why work in hospitality? There are numerous benefits to pursuing a career in the luxury hospitality industry:

• Career growth opportunities: The luxury hospitality industry is constantly evolving, and there are many opportunities for career growth and advancement, both within a specific property and across the industry.
• Diverse work environments: The luxury hospitality industry encompasses many properties, from urban hotels and resorts to remote locations and boutique properties.
• Personal and professional development: The luxury hospitality industry is known for providing exceptional training and development opportunities for its employees, including in areas such as leadership, customer service, and cultural awareness.
• Financial rewards: Many positions in the luxury hospitality industry offer competitive salaries, benefits packages, and opportunities for performance-based bonuses and incentives.
• Interaction with a global community: Working in the luxury hospitality industry means interacting with guests and colleagues worldwide, providing opportunities to expand personal and professional networks and learn about different cultures and perspectives.
• Exciting and dynamic workplace: The luxury hospitality industry is fast-paced and dynamic, providing opportunities for employees to work in an exciting and challenging environment.
• Opportunities to work overseas: Many luxury hospitality brands have a global presence, allowing employees to work in different countries and experience new cultures.
• Exposure to different areas of the business: In the luxury hospitality industry, employees may have the opportunity to work in various departments, from the front office and housekeeping to food and beverage and sales and marketing.
• A sense of pride: Finally, working in the luxury hospitality industry can give you pride in delivering exceptional experiences and creating memories for guests that will last a lifetime.

Luxury hotel brands offer exceptional service and guest experiences and sophisticated amenities. They are known for their attention to detail, elegance, and commitment to delivering the ultimate in luxury hospitality.

If you are inspired to work in a luxury, high-end hotel chain, a degree in business hotel management from a world-leading hospitality school such as Glion will set you up with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience you’ll need.

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