Luxury and magnificence today is no longer just about grandeur—it’s about creating an atmosphere where guests feel effortlessly connected to their surroundings. The rise of high-end experiences underscores the importance of thoughtful hospitality, where precision and personalisation define true exclusivity. Enter Pesqueira Global, a consultancy that masterfully blends storytelling, gastronomy, and operational strategy to craft transformative guest experiences. In this conversation, Founder Emanuel Pesqueira unveils the intricacies of luxury hospitality, offering invaluable insights into what makes an experience truly unforgettable.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

What inspired you to transition from working within luxury hospitality to launching Pesqueira Global? 

With over two decades in luxury hospitality, I saw an industry need for a more holistic, strategic approach to luxury F&B concepts. Many establishments excel in isolated aspects but lack a seamless, transformative guest journey. The industry lacked a consultancy that could seamlessly integrate operations, guest experience, and sustainability into a cohesive and profitable luxury model. And Pesqueira Global was born to bridge this gap, integrating culinary artistry, brand positioning, and guest engagement to create hospitality concepts that truly stand out.

Luxury hospitality is about precision and personalization. How do you tailor your consultancy approach? 

Each project begins with an in-depth discovery phase, where we analyse the brand's DNA, target clientele and market positioning. From there, we develop bespoke strategies that reflect the client’s ethos—whether through culinary storytelling, unique service rituals, or immersive guest experiences. For example, our work extends beyond traditional F&B operations to incorporate elements such as exclusive wine tourism, underwater wine aging, and strategic brand collaborations to enhance market differentiation.

How does the concept of luxury differ across restaurants, bars, marinas, and yacht clubs? 

While the execution varies across venues, luxury is always about exclusivity, craftsmanship, and emotional connection. For instance, at a private yacht club, we designed a seamless guest experience where fine dining meets maritime elegance, curating exclusive wine lists tailored to pair with ocean-inspired menus. In contrast, at a Michelin-starred restaurant, our approach focused on the art of tableside service, with sommeliers guiding guests through rare vintage tastings that highlight the region's terroir; and at a high-end cocktail lounge, we designed a progressive pairing experience, where drinks evolved throughout the evening to mirror a curated playlist—blending mixology, music, and mood to create a seamless luxury ambiance. A luxury marina demands effortless, seamless service tailored to a high-net-worth clientele accustomed to discretion and efficiency. Across all spaces, however, the non-negotiables remain: exceptional product quality, a profound understanding of the guest journey, and an obsession with detail.

Crystal Cruise

For establishments struggling with staff retention, what strategies have you found effective? 

Staff retention in luxury hospitality hinges on three key factors: education, empowerment, and career progression. At Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, we implemented an internal education system that offers WSET certifications and one-on-one mentorship, which has proven to be an effective retention tool. Investing in continuous training and fostering a sense of ownership ensures that top talent remains engaged and aligned with the brand’s long-term vision.

You’ve pioneered unique concepts like underwater wine pairings. How can on-trade professionals introduce high-value experiences? 

Experiential luxury is about creating moments that cannot be replicated. At Pesqueira Global, we designed the 'Silent Sommelier' experience—an exclusive, intuitive wine service where sommeliers use micro-gestures to anticipate guests' preferences without verbal interaction. This enhances the sense of effortless luxury and personalisation, making each wine selection feel like a deeply intuitive, almost telepathic experience. Unique concepts such as immersive sensory dining, private vineyard tours with Michelin-starred chefs, or curated cultural gastronomy experiences allow establishments to command higher price points while delivering exclusivity. While underwater wine aging is a large-scale endeavor, smaller venues can create similarly exclusive experiences by leveraging cellar-aging storytelling, rare vintage pairings, and intimate sommelier-led tastings, ensuring high-end differentiation without excessive investment. For example, our underwater wine aging project redefines traditional wine experiences, offering a fusion of storytelling, craftsmanship, and exclusivity that resonates deeply with luxury consumers.

What mistakes do businesses make when catering to an ultra-luxury audience? 

One common mistake is assuming that opulence alone defines luxury. For instance, a high-end resort once focused excessively on lavish décor and extravagant displays but struggled with guest loyalty and satisfaction. Pesqueira Global was brought in to redefine their approach, shifting the emphasis toward personalised, immersive guest experiences—such as curated wine and culinary pairings, bespoke service rituals, and deeper storytelling through menu design. As a result, the resort saw a 30% increase in repeat bookings and a 20% boost in premium wine sales, demonstrating the power of personalisation over extravagance. The resort saw increased guest engagement, higher repeat bookings, and elevated brand perception, proving that true luxury lies in experience and authenticity rather than just grandeur.

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

What’s next for Pesqueira Global? 

Looking ahead, we’re shaping the next era of luxury hospitality through winery experiences, cultural gastronomy, and ultra-high-net-worth engagement. In London’s dynamic fine dining scene, we’ve collaborated with private clubs and high-end restaurants to design exclusive wine experiences that seamlessly integrate heritage with contemporary luxury. Our 'Terroir & Time' journey, where guests embark on a multi-sensory adventure through exclusive vineyards, engaging in private tastings of rare vintages aged in underwater cellars. This experience is paired with curated menus from world-renowned chefs, blending tradition with modern gastronomy. In Saudi Arabia, we’re pioneering ultra-luxury hospitality within the Vision 2030 framework, creating F&B ecosystems that merge heritage with innovation. Additionally, Epikure Studio, our official marketing studio, is now operational, providing branding and content creation for luxury hospitality brands.

Header image sourced from Emanuel Pesquiera.

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