In Conversation with Tristan Dowell, Global Vice President of Luxury, Lifestyle and Leisure Sales at Hyatt.

Tristan Dowell joined Hyatt in August 2003 and has held several key commercial sales, brand and marketing roles for the organization within North America and internationally. As Global Vice President Sales for Luxury, Lifestyle & Leisure segment, Tristan oversees global sales, sales strategy, customer and brand engagement, and segment programing, and directs a global team on multi-million-dollar revenue generation and performance for Hyatt Corporation.

Previously, Tristan served as Director – Brands, Park Hyatt & Andaz, with primary responsibilities including brand management, program development, strategic planning, brand differentiation and positioning.

In addition to these positions, Tristan held various marketing and sales roles within the industry around the world for Hyatt Corporation, Le Meridien, Forte and The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.

Tristan is a graduate from the University of Wolverhampton in England specializing in Business, Marketing & Tourism Management. Tristan is also engaged in charity initiatives with Save-the-Children along with other philanthropic activities. Tristan is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys participating in triathlons. Tristan resides in Cheshire, England with his wife Beatrice, daughter Freya and son Hugo.

HYATT HAS A STORIED HISTORY. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE COMPANY’S BEGINNINGS?

Hyatt’s story began in 1957 when travel, particularly airline travel, was transforming how the world connected. Entrepreneur Jay Pritzker purchased the first Hyatt House hotel in Los Angeles near the airport and immediately saw its tremendous potential.

Hyatt would go on to transform into something extraordinary – a hospitality company rooted in genuine care and a bridge for bringing people together.

Fast forward a few years to the late 1960s, and Hyatt Regency Atlanta becomes the first Hyatt Regency property in 1967, and Hyatt Regency Hong Kong becomes Hyatt’s first international property in 1969.

In the 1980s, Hyatt entered the luxury arena with the debut of Park Hyatt Chicago. With the Park Hyatt brand, Hyatt created a haven of tranquility and understated luxury, with art, design, and culinary central to the brand’s DNA. The brand would expand to other iconic destinations, including Park Hyatt Tokyo, Park Hyatt Sydney, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, and the award-winning Park Hyatt Kyoto, to name a few.

2007 marked another brand milestone for Hyatt with the debut of the stylish and pioneering Andaz brand on Liverpool Street in London. A few years later, Hyatt went public on the NYSE in 2009, and World of Hyatt launched in 2017.

Today, Hyatt’s portfolio spans 80 countries around the world with distinctive luxury, lifestyle and resort offerings for every stay occasion.

WHAT DOES THE HYATT LANDSCAPE LOOK LIKE TODAY?

Hyatt today looks very different than it did nearly 70 years ago. Hyatt has more than 1,450 hotels and 36 global brands and is now a leader in the industry’s premier lifestyle and all-inclusive segments.

Earlier this year, Hyatt evolved its brands into five distinct portfolios: the Luxury portfolio, the Lifestyle portfolio, Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, the Classics portfolio, and the Essentials portfolio.

This decision was made to better focus our expertise and resources, and in turn, better care for our valued guests, members, and customers in each portfolio, leading to an even better hotel experience.

WHICH HYATT BRANDS CATER TO THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE SEGMENT?

Hyatt’s Luxury Portfolio features the finest places for the most refined tastes, enriched with unparalleled service, unmatched amenities, and high design. For luxury seekers who delight in the rare and thoughtfully curated, these escapes will delight.

Within Hyatt’s Luxury portfolio, travelers are invited to rediscover brands like Park Hyatt, which combines sophistication with understated luxury; the culturally rich and environmentally conscious Alila; the compilation of independent, one-of-a-kind luxury hotels in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt; Miraval’s pioneering wellbeing practices; and the all-inclusive ultra-luxe haven that is Impression by Secrets.

Hyatt’s acquisition of Standard International last year, plus the strength of Hyatt’s legacy lifestyle brands, has also helped Hyatt become a lifestyle leader in the industry. Hyatt’s Lifestyle portfolio is for guests and visitors who are always at the center of culture, no matter where they are. Encompassing brands such as Andaz, Thompson Hotels, The Standard, Bunkhouse Hotels, Dream Hotels, and more, these hotel hot spots offer originality in design, dining, and cultural programming, with immersive experiences that transport guests and visitors somewhere else.

WOULD YOU SINGLE OUT ONE PROPERTY IN EACH OF THE ALILA, PARK HYATT AND LUXURY PORTFOLIO THAT YOU FEEL IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT BRAND?

I couldn’t single out one property from each brand… there’s too many wonderful hotels to choose from, like Park Hyatt Bangkok, Park Hyatt Milan, Park Hyatt New York, and more.

In terms of what’s new and notable, the 50th currently open Park Hyatt hotel just debuted in Malaysia with Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. Located in the upper floors of the tallest skyscraper in Asia Pacific, the hotel provides discerning travelers a refined home in the sky with unparalleled views of the Malaysian capital’s skyline. Each of the 252 guestrooms and suites is a private sanctuary, and the hotel offers locally inspired art, purposeful wellness, and elevated culinary concepts.

In addition, Alila Mayakoba will mark the debut of the Alila brand in Latin America and the Caribbean, offering a wellbeing sanctuary with a collection of 182 guestrooms and 72 suites and Spa Alila offering holistic wellness experiences deeply connected to local culture and sustainability. The design of Alila Mayakoba will celebrate the distinct and secluded location of Mayakoba and honor its distinctive water canals and the ancient Mayan reverence for nature, which aligns with the Alila brand's commitment to environmental connection. Alila Mayakoba’s ethos thoughtfully complements other key Alila properties, including Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, Alila Ventana Big Sur in California, and Alila Shanghai in China, which opened last year.

HOW DOES HYATT CATER TO THE WELLNESS TRAVELER?

At Hyatt, wellbeing is a natural extension of our purpose. Our robust portfolio of brands, each with a unique and compelling set of wellbeing offerings, underscore Hyatt as a leader in the wellbeing space. Our hotels understand the importance of seamlessly integrating unique opportunities to improve travelers’ long-term wellbeing while traveling.

Our Miraval brand is also renowned for wellbeing experiences, including the renowned Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona (a pro tip – for those seeking an immersive outdoor activity, I highly recommend Miraval Arizona’s “Desert Tight Rope”). Plus, we’re very excited for the upcoming Miraval The Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which will offer a serene sanctuary designed to inspire relaxation, restore balance, and elevate wellbeing.

WHICH ARE THE MOST EXCITING PROPERTIES SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

Travelers can expect to find Hyatt expanding its presence in key markets all across the world. From South America to Europe and Asia Pacific and beyond, we’re always intentionally and thoughtfully growing in more markets for more stay occasions.

In South Africa, Park Hyatt Johannesburg recently opened in July and is set within the vibrant Rosebank district, celebrated for its cultural richness and urban vitality. The hotel features 31 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites, and local artistic work is also exhibited in public spaces, with some illustrations dating back to the 1800s, many sourced from historical archives.

Planned to open next year, I’m also personally excited about Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol; Park Hyatt Phu Quoc, an upcoming luxury retreat in Vietnam; and the sun-kissed Park Hyatt Cancun, which will offer beachfront access, rare culinary experiences, and world-renowned architecture and design.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF DURING YOUR LEADERSHIP AT HYATT?

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been with Hyatt for more than 20 years, having started on-property at hotels. Soon after, I helped debut the first Andaz brand in London, which then led me our inaugural Andaz and Park Hyatt Global Brand Team. Today, I’m honored to be Global Vice President of Luxury, Lifestyle and Leisure Sales, where I have the pleasure of leading a dynamic team of amazing people around the world.

Throughout my career, I’ve been endlessly energized and inspired by the people in this industry. I was fortunate at a young age to have experienced the magic that travel and hospitality can bring. Through travel, I’ve had the pleasure to meet different people, learn different perspectives, and collaborate with inspiring travel advisors who create magical memories and meaningful adventures.

These experiences and connections are core to me, and I’ve been blessed to work and be friends with Hyatt colleagues from across the world. They truly exemplify care and are some of the best people.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE FOUR HUNDRED MEMBER TO KNOW ABOUT HYATT?

Most importantly, I’d like to say thank you to Four Hundred members for continuing to entrust Hyatt to create unforgettable experiences for you and your clients. It’s an exciting time for us as we continue to grow and expand our luxury offerings, and we’re grateful for your collaboration. Stay tuned for more to come.

Contributor — Four Hundred by Design

RETURN TO ISSUE // SEPTEMBER 2025

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HOW HYATT IS TAKING LUXURY TO NEW HEIGHTS