Destination London: Students Explore a Global Hospitality Hub
The MSc in International Hospitality Management, co-delivered by emlyon business school and Institut Lyfe, gives students a direct understanding of how today’s hospitality industry operates. The program combines academic insight with field learning, industry projects, and international exposure—helping students build the mindset and skills needed to start impactful careers.
This approach came to life during the program’s international seminar in London in November, where students immersed themselves in one of the world’s most vibrant hospitality ecosystems.
Understanding the London hospitality landscape
Before traveling to the British capital, students conducted an analytical study of London’s hospitality DNA: its cultural diversity, economic dynamism, rich heritage, innovations and defining trends. This preparation trained them to observe the city like industry insiders—spotting how design, guest expectations, brand identity, and technology come together in a fast-moving urban market.
During the seminar, students visited a wide range of hotels that reflect London’s diversity, from lifestyle concepts to boutique luxury and iconic heritage properties. The visits included:
- Accor Hotels with the Raffles London at The Owo and Tribe
- Hyatt with the Great Scotland Yard Hotel and the Andaz London Liverpool Street
- Hoxton Holborn
- Harrods
- Rosewood
- COMO Hotels & Resorts
- Belmond, with the British Pullman & Bateaux Belmond Trains
Students met operational leaders, HR managers, and general managers who shared insights on service philosophy, talent strategy, guest experience design, and the reinvention of heritage properties. These conversations offered a behind-the-scenes look at how London hotels compete, innovate and adapt.
Exploring London’s hospitality icons
“This week, London became our classroom. We didn’t just visit hotels; we explored distinct philosophies of service”, testifies Anthony, student from the MSc in International Hospitality Management. “Seeing how a fulfilled team elevates a brand was truly inspiring proof that people make the place,” he shared after hearing from Rosewood London’s HR team.
From the high-energy atmosphere of Mama Shelter London to the calm, wellness-driven experience at Pan Pacific London, students observed how each brand expresses its own vision of hospitality.
They also visited TRIBE, one of Accor’s fast-growing lifestyle brands. The General Manager, an alumnus of the program, offered an inside view of brand positioning, operations, and guest journey design, particularly how the hotel integrates contemporary design and social spaces to shape a new generation of urban hospitality experiences. Students linked these observations to concepts explored in class, including revenue and brand management, market segmentation, customer insights, and digital tools in operations.
Independent visits: learning through observation
Beyond scheduled tours, each student conducted at least one independent visit to a hotel of their choice and one to a local hospitality venue – such as food halls, markets, cafés, or cultural spaces.
Some of them were able to “walk the corridors of history at The Savoy” and “witness the grandeur of Park Lane at The Dorchester,” observing how tradition is preserved while adapting to modern expectations. They highlighted the contrast between contemporary hospitality and iconic heritage.
One of the most impactful concepts I discovered during our visit to The Savoy was the idea of “emotional luxury.” The team explained that true luxury is not just about beautiful spaces or high-end amenities, it's about how a guest feels. Emotional luxury is created through genuine service, personal connections, and memorable moments that stay with the guest long after they leave. This helped me understand that luxury is not defined by a single formula, but by consistency, identity, and the ability to create a meaningful emotional impact.
Others visited Borough Market, an immersive cultural experience showcasing London’s food scene, small vendors, and global culinary influences. “Visiting Borough Market helped me understand how genuine customer interactions create value, whether in luxury hospitality or everyday service,” explains Aliya.
These visits strengthened their ability to analyze atmosphere, target markets, design choices, and operations. Students also saw how concepts vary across neighborhoods and how authenticity and innovation shape guest perception.
An international experience that changes perspectives
Students saw how versatile the hospitality industry is by comparing historic luxury hotels with modern, community-focused lifestyle concepts, seeing how brand identity is expressed through design, service, and atmosphere. Industry professionals shared practical career advice, including the reminder that “personality is important in finding a job, even more than degrees or previous experience.” Above all, students observed that people truly drive hospitality, as engaged and motivated teams create the guest experience.
“My favorite part of this trip was connecting with hospitality professionals and hearing their career stories. Many of them came from incredibly diverse backgrounds; chefs, engineers, designers, former students, and people who transitioned from completely different fields. Understanding how their paths evolved and how they built their careers in hospitality was truly inspiring,” testifies Aliya.
Through the London seminar, students had the opportunity to combine classroom learning with practical observation on the field. They networked with industry professionals and deepened their understanding of the global hospitality sector. Through guided visits, independent exploration, and critical reflection, they gained a clearer vision of the variety of career paths the hospitality industry offers and the skills they will be developing while studying in the MSc in International Hospitality Management.