The dynamic environment of the hospitality industry is an ever-changing world. Whilst this can be a thrilling experience for hoteliers, keeping up can be quite a challenge. This list contains fascinating personal memoirs from hotel magnates as well as the essential practical tools for managing concierge businesses and hospitality law. Here are ten books everyone in the hospitality industry should read for cutting edge philosophy and inspiration to succeed.


1) How to Run a Great Hotel by Enda Larkin

Enda Larkin's hotel manual will drive you to strive for excellence as her motto is "good isn't good enough". Hotels are a crowded and exceptionally competitive market and to run a successful hotel you need to go above and beyond. By focusing on big picture thinking, Larkin provides a text that every hotelier can learn from.


2) Without Reservations: How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew into a Global Hotel Company by Bill Marriott and Kathi Ann Brown

The name Marriott should stand out to anyone in the hotel industry and this book, part memoir part business manual is simultaneously a great story of the success of the Marriott chain whilst providing a valuable template for hoteliers.


3) Hotel Law: Transactions, Management and Franchising 1st Edition, Kindle Edition by Nelson Migdal

"Migdal has over three decades of experience practicing law in the hospitality industry and it shines through in this practical guide to the legal side of business," says Willie Jones, a hospitality writer at Paper Fellows and State Of Writing. "By making even the most complex of legal precedents clear and accessible, this book will enable you to stay on the right side of the law and protect your business."


4) Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism by Elizabeth Becker

This fascinating book explores how tourism became one of the dominant industries of the world today. Becker leaves no stone unturned in this fascinating account of every facet of the tourism industry from Canada to Cambodia.


5) A Wealth of Insight: The World's Best Luxury Hoteliers on Leadership, Management, and the Future of 5-Star Hospitality by Rahim B. Kanani

This collection of essays reveals the business practice of some of the most successful hoteliers and thus anyone working in the hospitality industry has something to learn from it. What's more, the inspirational stories of success contained herein will encourage you to strive for excellence in your own career.


6) Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy - Deckle Edge, by Isadore Sharp

In this engaging memoir of his time with Four Seasons, Isadore Sharp reveals what makes each destination a world unto its own. By unravelling the Four Seasons philosophy Sharp offers every hotelier the tools they need to up their game and turn their business into a unique and unforgettable experience for its guests.


7) More Hotel Mogel: Essays in Hotel Marketing & Management by Larry Mogelonsky and Adam Mogelonsky

From Larry and Adam Mogelonsky comes More Hotel Mogel, the 6th edition in their essay series covering everything you need to know about hotel management and marketing. "This edition comes in a timely manner, discussing the latest challenges to the hotel industry that have arisen through 2020," says Anthony Lewandowski, a book blogger at Ukwritings and Boomessays. "Featuring COVID solutions from these experienced hospitality industry leaders, this book is a must read for our times."


8) The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets by Micah Solomon

This collection of essays puts the experience of guests at the centre of its philosophy. By understanding the diversity of guests you can receive in this industry you'll understand how to cater to them better. This essay collection reveals that the guests themselves are at the heart of hospitality.


9) Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service by the Disney Institute

Disney has mastered the art of providing each customer with an individual, magical experience and once you can replicate this in your own hotel you're onto a recipe for success. This book is a classic of the hospitality industry and reveals the secrets to providing an experience par none for your guests.


10) The Concierge Manual: The Ultimate Resource for Building Your Concierge and/or Lifestyle Management Company - by Katharine C. Giovanni

Now in its fourth edition, this definitive guide to the concierge business offers tips, tricks and overarching philosophy for how to keep customers happy, every time. Giovanni explores how everyone from boutique hotels to multinationals can benefit from focussing on the details - customer experience will be boosted and this translates to good business.


Checking Out

Creating a fantastic experience for every guest is at the heart of the hospitality industry but sometimes we need a little inspiration to do so. These books provide that source of inspiration. Dig in for top tips, personal accounts and the recipe for success.