Ariana James

Boutique Hospitality Leadership

Ariana James

Senior Guest Experience Manager · Detroit, MI

Crafting warm intentional guest experiences rooted in the soul of Detroit.

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About Me

Hi, I’m Ariana — a boutique hospitality leader from Detroit with nearly a decade of experience creating warm, highly curated guest experiences. I started my career at a small 18-room inn as a part-time front desk associate and grew into management through hands-on work, curiosity, and a passion for thoughtful service.

Today, I specialize in helping boutique properties elevate their guest experience through meaningful interactions, consistent standards, and smart operational structure. I love hotels with personality — the kind where every detail reflects the neighborhood, the story, and the people behind it.

I lead with empathy, creativity, and a calm, level-headed presence that supports both guests and staff.

Experience

Senior Guest Experience Manager

The Beechwood House · Detroit, MI · 2022–Present

  • Lead the guest experience team in a 32-room boutique environment.
  • Introduced a Detroit-local welcome program increasing sentiment scores by 24%.
  • Redesigned SOPs, reducing check-in wait times and improving consistency.
  • Built a supervisor training pipeline resulting in two internal promotions.
  • Implemented real-time feedback systems, reducing negative reviews by 31%.

Guest Services Supervisor

The Iron Gate Inn · Detroit, MI · 2018–2022

  • Supervised daily front desk operations in a high-occupancy boutique property.
  • Trained new staff on communication standards and PMS usage.
  • Recognized for exceptional service recovery strategies.

Front Desk Associate

The Iron Gate Inn · Detroit, MI · 2015–2018

  • Started part-time while in school and learned operations from the ground up.
  • Known for warm communication and tailored guest recommendations.
  • Supported creation of the inn’s first digital welcome guide.

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