Emotional Connection, Gentle Leadership & Redefining Luxury at Six Senses London

With 37 years of experience across eight countries and four continents, Nick Yarnell, General Manager of the newly opened Six Senses London, has built a career defined by intention, empathy, and quiet confidence. From island retreats to iconic city hotels, Nick’s journey reflects a belief that luxury is not about excess, but about emotional connection, intuitive service, and making people feel truly seen. 

He recently shared his story on Leading a New Era, IHG’s podcast that explores the leadership journeys shaping the future of luxury and lifestyle hospitality. Hosted by David Littlewood and Eunice Clements‑Tweedie, the episode takes listeners behind the scenes of one of London’s most anticipated hotel openings - and into the mindset of a leader guided by purpose, humanity, and calm resilience. 

So what does it take to open a flagship Six Senses property in a historic London landmark - and what can future hospitality leaders learn from Nick’s approach?

 

How Nick Yarnell’s Hospitality Journey Shaped His Leadership Philosophy 

 

Nick Yarnell’s introduction to hospitality began with curiosity and a desire to master the craft. Inspired by a luxury hotel stay as a teenager, he set his sights on becoming a General Manager and committed to learning the business from the ground up. His first four years involved rotating through entry-level roles across kitchens, bars, restaurants, accounts, and front-of-house operations. “I wanted to understand the trade properly,” he explains. “You can’t lead something you don’t respect.” This solid foundation took him around the world, exposing him to diverse cultures and hotel styles before joining Six Senses in Portugal. There, he played a key role in transforming a struggling property into a thriving destination, honing his resilience, creativity, and founder’s mindset.

Nick’s leadership philosophy is rooted in adaptability and humanity. You might ask, How do you lead when there’s no one-size-fits-all answer? For Nick, leadership is situational and intentionally imperfect requiring you to guide, coach, support, or direct depending on the person and moment. “Leadership isn’t flawless,” he says. “It’s about reading the situation and responding with care.” 

He places special emphasis on emotional intelligence at the frontline, where guest experience is truly won or lost. While technical skills matter, Nick believes loyalty is built through simple, human acts such as: 

• A handwritten card 

• A thoughtful gesture 

• A moment that costs nothing but means everything 

 

This focus on empathy and awareness shapes his leadership style and inspires his teams to deliver hospitality that goes beyond expectations. It’s these small, meaningful connections that create lasting impact. 

How Nick Yarnell Builds Belonging and Defines Luxury at Six Senses London 

 

Opening Six Senses London gave Nick Yarnell a unique chance to shape the hotel’s culture from day one, a responsibility he approaches with deep intention. Culture at Six Senses London starts with values-led hiring and radical honesty about what the brand truly stands for. This isn’t about white-glove formality, but conscious luxury rooted in trust, warmth, and shared purpose. Nick describes his team as a “family” - not defined by hierarchy, but by genuine care. “Culture is the foundation of everything,” he says. “If you get that right, the rest follows.” He believes true culture reveals itself when no one is watching - when colleagues treat the hotel as their home, notice the small details, and act with pride.

Set within the historic Whiteleys building in Bayswater, Six Senses London represents a new chapter in luxury hospitality by blending heritage with modern wellness. The property features expansive wellness spaces, a pioneering private members’ club, a fermentation lab, biohacking suites, and immersive sustainability practices - all grounded in Six Senses’ philosophy of reconnection. For Nick, wellness transcends physical health to include emotional, creative, and social wellbeing. Through meditation, movement, and shared experiences, guests are invited to connect deeply with themselves and others. 

“The future of luxury is authenticity,” Nick reflects. “People want meaning, not more.” This vision shapes every aspect of Six Senses London, creating a luxury experience that is personal, purposeful, and rooted in belonging. 

 

Nick Yarnell’s Advice for Aspiring Hospitality Leaders 

Nick encourages future leaders to focus less on perfection and more on presence. He advises mastering the basics, applying gentle pressure over time, staying curious, and, above all, caring deeply - about people, place, and purpose. “Anyone can create a moment once,” he reflects. “True luxury is doing it consistently, day after day.” For Nick, leadership isn’t about grand gestures but steady influence, building environments where people feel safe to grow, connect, and belong. 

Nick’s journey reminds us that the most powerful leadership is often the quietest. Rooted in empathy, patience, and emotional intelligence, his approach shows how hospitality can be a platform for purpose, wellness, and genuine human connection. 

 

At IHG, we’re shaping the future of luxury and lifestyle hospitality, and we’re always seeking leaders ready to take their next step. Explore General Manager opportunities across iconic destinations and discover how you can build a career with meaning - just like Nick. To hear his story in full, tune in to the final episode of Leading a New Era.