Peter Merrett

About Peter

Peter Merrett is a multi-award-winning luxury hotelier, Australia’s 2024 Keynote Speaker of the Year, and the visionary founder of The House of Wonderful.

With over thirty-five years of transforming luxury hotels, commercial properties, and their teams from status quo to best-in-class, Peter has revitalized the hearts of some of the world’s most recognized brands. His approach goes beyond KPIs and mission statements, bringing wonder back to life, leadership, and service in a way that creates extraordinary results.

On stage, Peter captivates audiences by sharing heartfelt lessons and practical techniques he’s honed throughout his career. Whether he’s tying red ribbons around asparagus, hosting potato-peeling competitions with top executives, or wearing a superhero cape over his three-piece suit, Peter’s wonder-filled approach injects appreciation, connection, and humility back into the workplace.

Peter guided his teams to twice claiming the United Kingdom’s Hotel of the Year, the International Office Building of the Year, and the Best Customer Experience in the World. He brings his custom-made “recipes” to audiences everywhere, to show how wonder isn’t just for children, nor is heart-led hospitality only for esteemed hotels, but a way to inspire and transform workplaces, service, and lives.

No matter your industry, sector, or role, Peter’s highly tailored speaking, mystery shopping and trusted advisor experiences provide exciting ways that anyone can implement for a business—and life filled with wonder.

Peter Merrett has always considered chefs to be wizards. When he began training as one 35 years ago, he was captivated by the way simple ingredients could create magic, pleasure, and emotion. He took this concept for using many small details to create a large impact, and he expanded on it. As he moved into hospitality leadership, his exciting approach led his teams to win the prestigious UK Hotel of the Year award twice.

Transitioning into commercial real estate, Peter became General Manager of Tower 42 in London, where his team pioneered a groundbreaking office-hotel concept that won the Best Office Building in the World award from BOMA International. Later, as a leader within JLL Australia’s property division, he inspired a hospitality-driven service culture that earned the organization global acclaim for Best Customer Experience.

Today in Australia, as a Hall of Fame professional speaker, mystery shopper, trusted advisor to the world’s biggest brands, and Founder of The House of Wonderful, Peter has worked across eleven countries and numerous industries. He’s shared stages with his mentor, Doug Lipp, former Head of Training at Disney University. He is also a Fellow of BOMA International, a judge for the Customer Institute of Australia, and has served on the Board of Directors for Professional Speakers Australia.

Now, Peter coaches leaders worldwide on how to trade employee handbooks and KPIs for teams that feel genuinely valued, appreciated, and excited to show up and treat your business as their own. Whether he’s tying red ribbons around asparagus, hosting potato-peeling competitions with top executives, or wearing a superhero cape over his three-piece suit, his wonder-filled approach brings heart and joy back into the workplace, leading to extraordinary results.

Peter lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, two sons, a friendly house hippo, and a battalion of rubber duckies.