Gecko Hospitality Expands Investment in Luxury and Boutique Hospitality Recruiting

Global Luxury division deepens focus on executive leadership recruitment for independent, boutique, lifestyle and luxury hospitality organizations

Gecko Hospitality, a leading hospitality management recruiting firm with more than 25 years of industry experience, is expanding its investment in the luxury and boutique hospitality sector through its Global Luxury division and continued involvement with the Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA).

The expanded focus reflects the increasingly specialized leadership needs of independent luxury hotels, boutique properties, lifestyle concepts and destination resorts, where finding the right executive often requires looking beyond traditional qualifications and brand experience.

“Boutique and luxury properties are incredibly individual, and that is what makes recruiting for them so interesting,” said Stacy Pilkington, Senior Recruiting Partner, Global Luxury at Gecko Hospitality. “The strongest match isn’t always the candidate with the most recognizable brands on their resume. It is the leader who understands the property’s vision, can build and retain the right culture, and has the judgment to protect what makes that experience distinctive.”

Pilkington brings a unique perspective to executive search following 25 years on the operations side of luxury hospitality. Her background includes pre-opening leadership at The Venetian, Rooms Division leadership at The Brown Palace, stewardship at Wailea Beach Resort, and service as Hotel Manager at St. Regis before transitioning into hospitality recruiting.

Through its Global Luxury division, Gecko works with executive talent across luxury hotels and resorts, independent and lifestyle properties, private clubs, and culinary-driven hospitality concepts. Searches span senior property leadership, operations, food and beverage, culinary, sales and marketing, and other executive functions.

Gecko’s relationship with BLLA further supports the company’s commitment to the independent hospitality community by creating opportunities to engage with boutique owners and operators, share talent insights, and participate in conversations shaping the future of the sector.

“Independent hospitality has an opportunity to compete for exceptional leadership in a very different way,” Pilkington added. “These properties can offer executives the ability to work closely with ownership, influence culture, and leave a real fingerprint on the guest experience. Our role is understanding both sides of that equation well enough to bring the right people together.”

The expanded focus builds on Gecko Hospitality’s broader mission to connect hospitality organizations with leaders who can strengthen operations, develop teams, and create lasting impact.

About Gecko Hospitality

Founded in 2000, Gecko Hospitality specializes in management and executive recruiting across the hospitality industry. Through a network of specialized recruiters with firsthand industry experience, Gecko Hospitality connects hospitality organizations with leadership talent across hotels, resorts, restaurants, private clubs, and related hospitality sectors.

About Gecko Hospitality Global Luxury

Gecko Hospitality’s Global Luxury division specializes in leadership and executive search for luxury, boutique, lifestyle, independent, and destination hospitality organizations. The division combines hospitality operations experience with a relationship-driven recruiting approach designed around the distinct culture, vision, and operating environment of each client.