Bethany Wade
Bethany Wade is an accomplished hospitality professional with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences. Currently serving as the Director of Guest Experiences at Hidden Pond and Tides Beach Club within the Kennebunkport Resort Collection, she brings over a decade of leadership in luxury hotel operations. Bethany has successfully opened five hotels worldwide, demonstrating her expertise in property launches, team development, and delivering consistently high standards of service. Her career has spanned roles including General Manager at the Longfellow Hotel and Director of Rooms at The White Barn Inn, reflecting a deep understanding of both operational and experiential aspects of hospitality.
A graduate of Hamilton College with a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies, Bethany combines her global perspective with a love for culture and languages, including proficiency in Mandarin. Her early dedication to the arts, including self-taught piano and percussion, continues to influence her creative approach to guest services and team leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, home improvement projects, and cherishing time with family and friends, highlighting her commitment to balance and personal growth alongside professional excellence.
Bethany is recognized for her empathetic leadership style, strong operational acumen, and dedication to creating memorable experiences for guests and staff alike. Her ability to blend operational expertise with genuine care for people has made her a trusted leader in the hospitality industry. Open to new opportunities in general management, she continues to seek ways to innovate and elevate the guest experience while fostering collaborative and high-performing teams.
• Hamilton College - BA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to maintaining a positive and optimistic outlook, putting in consistent hard work, being in the right place at the right time, and embracing opportunities by saying 'yes' whenever I can.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always hire people with a positive attitude and to give 100% to everything you do—if you’re not going to fully commit, it’s not worth doing at all.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to take chances and be willing to try new things. If you have the passion and a willingness to learn, people will guide and support you. Say 'yes' to opportunities and stay open to growth.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is ensuring that communication is accurate and clear. In a fast-paced environment, delivering the right message consistently is critical, and mastering this creates a real opportunity to build trust and impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, honesty, and bringing heart to everything I do.