Behind the Scenes with Leanne Woodward: A Glimpse into Luxury Hospitality and the Reality of High-Stakes Events
- Mark@LincsLivesNatters
- Nov 11, 2024
- 4 min read
On a recent episode of the #LincsLivesNatters podcast, Corporate Sales Manager Leanne Woodward joined Shelley to share stories from her fascinating career in the hospitality industry. Currently based at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall, Leanne has journeyed through the worlds of luxury hotels from Lincoln to Florida and London, encountering extraordinary guests and handling extraordinary events along the way.
Leanne’s hospitality career began in 2010 at the Lincoln Hotel, where she first got a taste of the demanding yet fulfilling life in hotels. “I really enjoyed reception just because you get to meet people, you get to speak to them, you get to kind of understand why they’re there, why they’re visiting,” she explains. But her career took an unexpected turn when she moved to Florida to work in an elite private members’ hotel, where guests paid astronomical sums just to join. “You’re paying $150,000 just to join, and then about $30,000 a year membership,” she recalls.
The High Life in Mayfair
After her stint in Florida, Leanne returned to the UK, eventually landing a role in Mayfair, London’s famed district of exclusivity and wealth. “I was very fortunate… I did work with some very wealthy people and some very expensive events went on there,” she says, recalling how surreal it was to see the vast displays of wealth around her. “The price of my house belongs on somebody’s car… my entire kind of mortgage payment is sat on someone’s finger.” Leanne quickly learned that, in this world, anything is possible with the right budget and connections.
During her time in Mayfair, Leanne experienced the extravagance of events that most people could only imagine. She recalls one Middle Eastern royal family who “took over 32 bedrooms for an entire two-month period, paid in cash,” and even arranged for three tiger cubs to be brought in for their children to play with. Another client, at the height of One Direction’s fame, was prepared to fly the band from their world tour just to sing “Happy Birthday” to his daughter. “In that kind of world, anything is possible,” Leanne explains, “if you’ve got the right money, the right contacts.”
Precision Planning and Unique Demands
Event planning for high-end clients often required an extraordinary level of detail. Leanne recalls a whisky launch event with meticulous requirements, where “all the ingredients that were part of the whisky had to be involved in the canapés,” and even the ice had to be a specific size. “I had to specifically find somewhere in London that could sculpt balls of ice that could only be about this big,” she shares, describing the precise, golf-ball-sized ice cubes needed to complement the whisky tasting experience. This precision and customisation were standard in Leanne’s role, where no detail was too small to attend to.
The Reality of Wealth and Weddings
In London, Leanne frequently dealt with clients hosting high-profile events, from christenings to multi-day weddings. One particularly extravagant christening included a £25,000 floral table runner for an event lasting just a few hours. Even now, Leanne reflects on the disparity she often saw between the wealth on display and the outcomes. In one case, she contacted a couple a year after their £75,000 wedding, only to learn that the bride had walked out six weeks after the ceremony. “It kind of defines, my understanding is that money doesn’t necessarily buy you happiness,” she reflects.
Coming Home to Kelham Hall
Today, Leanne’s career has taken a new direction as the Corporate Sales Manager at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall, a grand 19th-century mansion in Newark. Unlike her previous roles in bustling cities, working at Kelham Hall offers a refreshing change of pace. “Now I have 42 acres of land to play with,” she says, appreciating the historic surroundings and vast green space. Kelham Hall, with its “spectacular backdrop,” has become a popular venue for weddings and public events alike, drawing on its rich architectural history to create memorable experiences.
Leanne has found satisfaction in working at a location where the setting alone can make an event extraordinary. “Everywhere I’ve ever worked at, I feel very fortunate that I’ve walked around that building and gone, ‘Yeah, I work here,’ because it kind of fills me with pride and passion,” she shares. She values the chance to connect with clients personally, taking pride in her role in their special days. “I like to kind of treat a person, not just like a number… I take an investment in them as a couple or as a person, get to know them,” she says.
From Glitz to Real Life: The Impact of COVID-19
Like many in the hospitality industry, Leanne’s career was upended by COVID-19. Reflecting on that time, she recalls the shock of the abrupt closure of hotels and event spaces. “Hospitality just shut down… it was a very strange time,” she remembers. Unable to continue her work, Leanne took on a role as a carer, a humbling experience that offered a fresh perspective. “It basically brought me back to appreciating basic things… all of that glitz and glam and pressure just totally disintegrated,” she says.
Returning to hotels after lockdowns lifted, Leanne found herself adjusting to a new reality where COVID protocols restricted guest numbers and required extended cleaning times between guests. Weddings, which she’d once planned for 150 guests, were scaled back to as few as 30, and new regulations affected the industry’s rhythm. Even now, she observes that many clients are eager to hold larger, more extravagant events to make up for lost time.
A New Chapter with Kelham Hall
Leanne is now focused on Kelham Hall’s offerings to the public, including immersive dining events and seasonal celebrations. Events like the “Fawlty Towers Dining Experience” and murder mystery dinners showcase her passion for creativity and detail in event planning. For Leanne, Kelham Hall’s history and grandeur make it an inspiring place to work. “I’d rather sell something that has a bit of history than sell four walls and a ceiling,” she says, finding fulfilment in the character-rich environment of the hall.
As she continues her work at Kelham Hall, Leanne remains deeply invested in creating unforgettable experiences for her clients. From her early days in Lincoln to her time in luxury hotels abroad, Leanne’s journey in hospitality is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and passion for making people feel special.
Listen to the full episode here
For further information visit https://www.renaissance-kelham.com/
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