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March 29, 2024
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Soaring Ever Higher in the Luxury Hotel Industry Rhys O’Connell Goes From Beverly Hills to The Hamptons

Image Commercially Licensed
Image Commercially Licensed

Behind every successful company is a leader who takes the wheel and navigates it past the rough seas of the cutthroat business world. When it comes to the luxury hotel industry, excellence is an utmost necessity. However, the world’s finest hotels require so much more. Rhys O’Connell is a mainstay in the hotel and service industry who has been building a pristine reputation by successfully scaling some of the most exclusive establishments all over the United States.

Rhys O’Connell initially started his business career in Australia’s food and beverage industry. He has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, such as Hyatt, and further proved his expertise in executive roles at several luxury hotels, including four years at Luxe Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and tenure at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. 

Throughout his entire career, Rhys O’Connell has consistently proved his mettle in the world of luxury hotels. He was eventually hired as Director of Operations for Hotel Zephyr at the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, and was then promoted to General Manager in a short span of five months. 

When the global pandemic hit, the luxury hotels industry suffered the brunt of the damages, causing significant losses in revenue, massive layoffs, and countless closures. Rhys O’Connell guided Hotel Zephyr throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including its closure and effectively managing its unionized workforce. 

This stunning display of excellence earned Rhys O’Connell a promotion to General Manager at Nobu Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Throughout his time at Nobu, the firebrand hotel manager initiated a five-star luxury upgrade from what used to be a standard facility. Rhys was able to identify and hire appropriate staff, establish best practices, and create an upgraded guest experience.

Within a month of his arrival, Nobu garnered significant praise from several customers, causing its ratings to improve dramatically. Rhys O’Connell’s remarkable achievements during the global pandemic earned him a feature in Forbes Magazine. He was also voted as “Hotel General Manager of the Year” by New York Weekly.

Nowadays, Rhys serves as the General Manager at one of the Caribbean’s finest properties, a 70-acre property in Saint Lucia, where he defined and implemented a comprehensive company vision and strategy while maintaining staff morale during a time of great uncertainty. In 2022, Rhys O’Connell’s career trajectory continues to be on the rise with his vital leadership in the unveiling of exclusive resorts in The Hamptons, New York and Moab, Utah.

Equipped with excellent analytical skills, team leadership, management skills and a track record of building cohesive teams, Rhys O’Connell has maintained his place at the top of the luxury hotel industry. Through his seasoned experience in the field, he has helped facilitate revenue, improve guest experience, and drive overall employee satisfaction. Deeply motivated by his passion for people and the hospitality industry, Rhys has carved out his impeccable legacy in an industry that serves high-value individuals with the know-how to discern between the good things in life and the great.

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