Temara Exton, GM of Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney

Pull back the curtain on one of Sydney’s most exciting new hotel openings in this episode of Where2FromHere, as host Renae Leith-Manos sits down with Tamara Exton, the Opening General Manager of Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney--Hyatt’s first Caption hotel in Australia and a fresh, playful rethink of modern hospitality. With a career that spans W Hotels in Sydney, New York and London, Park Hyatt Sydney, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Singapore, Tamara brings global experience to a hotel designed to feel deeply local. In this conversation, she shares what it really takes to launch a new brand in a competitive city, why culture-led hiring shaped the hotel from day one, and how choosing mindset over CVs created a team guests genuinely connect with. Tamara opens up about breaking industry norms, from hiring a female head chef in a male-dominated field to building an inclusive, judgment-free environment where guests of all ages feel welcome. She explains the thinking behind Caption by Hyatt’s guest-led, host-supported model, the social energy of Talk Shop, and why details like 24-hour barista-quality coffee reflect a deeper understanding of how people live, work, and travel today. The episode also explores leadership, wellness, and the realities of being a woman in hospitality, alongside the importance of authentic sustainability and real community integration in Haymarket. Tamara shares why meaningful local partnerships matter, how lifestyle hotels are shaping the future of Australian travel, and where she goes to truly switch off. Thoughtful, practical, and refreshingly honest, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern hotel leadership, the kind of hospitality travellers are increasingly seeking. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:48 Hiring for mindset, not just experience 03:53 Breaking the mould: hiring a female head chef 05:35 What today’s travellers really want 06:42 Guest-led, host-supported hospitality 08:15 24/7 coffee culture & barista-trained teams 09:24 Inclusivity, age diversity & modern hotel culture 10:01 Women in hospitality leadership 11:42 Personal wellness routines & staying grounded 13:08 Haymarket community & local partnerships 14:14 Global brand vs neighbourhood feel 15:37 Sustainability, transparency & avoiding greenwashing 17:02 The future of lifestyle hotels in Australia 18:15 Community activations & bringing locals in 19:42 Travel preferences & switching off 21:34 Where2FromHere, Temara? -- Subscribe above to this YouTube Channel, Where2FromHere for the best and latest regular luxury travel updates. For collaborations, contact us at: [email protected] Host: Renae Leith-Manos Editor: Angga Kuntara Content Writer: Tiasani Sundari Graphic & Design: Grace For more luxury travel go to: www.renaesworld.com.au For more on Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney go to: https://www.hyatt.com/caption-by-hyatt Check out our luxury travel instagram: @renaesworldofficial For Luxury Hotel Consulting: www.luxuryhotelconsulting.com Watch every episode with spectacular visuals from some of the world’s best and most luxurious hotels over on Renae’s YouTube channel, “Renae’s World, Where2FromHere”. --