How to Write a CV for Luxury Hospitality
Your CV is your first impression with a hiring manager. Here's how to write one that stands out for boutique and luxury hotel roles — from formatting to the details that actually matter.
Hiring managers at boutique hotels see hundreds of CVs. Most look identical — the same generic format, the same vague responsibilities, the same tired phrases. Here's how to write one that actually gets read.
Lead with what matters
Boutique hotels care about fit more than anything. Your CV should open with a 2-3 line personal statement that answers one question: why this type of hospitality?
Bad: "Experienced hospitality professional seeking new opportunities."
Good: "Front office manager with 6 years in independent luxury properties. I thrive in small teams where guest relationships are genuine and every detail matters."
Quantify your impact
Don't just list responsibilities — show results. Hiring managers want to see evidence that you made a difference.
- "Increased repeat guest rate from 32% to 41% over 18 months by implementing a personalised welcome programme"
- "Managed a team of 8 across front office and concierge, maintaining a 4.8 guest review average"
- "Reduced F&B waste by 22% through seasonal menu redesign and supplier renegotiation"
Highlight boutique-relevant skills
The skills that matter most in a boutique setting are different from chain hotels. Emphasise:
- Multi-department experience — you've covered multiple roles in a single shift
- Guest relationship building — you know regulars by name
- Creative problem-solving — you've worked without a massive budget or large support team
- Local knowledge — you can recommend the restaurant the guidebooks haven't found yet
Keep it to two pages
No one reads a 5-page CV. Two pages maximum. If you've been in hospitality for 15+ years, focus on the last 3-4 roles in detail and summarise earlier positions in a single line each.
Formatting tips
- Use a clean, modern font (not Times New Roman)
- Include clear section headings: Profile, Experience, Skills, Education
- Add a professional photo — it's standard practice in hospitality
- Save as PDF, not Word
- Name the file sensibly:
FirstName-LastName-CV.pdf
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