As commercial director at The Westin London City, Lela Cole leads the strategic direction and commercial performance of the hotel, overseeing sales, marketing and communications, revenue management, meetings and events, and customer sales. With a results-driven approach and a passion for hospitality, she plays a key role in positioning the hotel as a leading luxury wellness destination in the heart of London.
With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Cole brings a deep understanding of the luxury travel landscape and an inspiring track record of delivering revenue growth, brand visibility, and commercial success. She is committed to the Westin brand’s core pillars of wellness, ensuring that every guest experience is thoughtfully curated, from the hotel’s Heavenly Spa and stunning riverside residences to the innovative food and beverage offerings and elevated suite experiences. Here, she shares
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, for me, is a way of living with intention. It’s the daily commitment to honor your body, nurture your mind, and protect your energy regardless of how hectic life gets. As someone who leads a busy commercial team during the week and teaches yoga on weekends, I have learned that wellness isn’t just about what you do, but how you do it, with presence and purpose.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
Teaching and practicing yoga are the cornerstone of my wellbeing. It is where I reconnect with myself and others. I also love going for a run outdoors as it clears my head and helps me feel grounded. I try to eat mindfully as I notice it makes a big difference in my energy and mood. And perhaps most importantly, carving out time to be with family and friends is essential for me. They are the ones who recharge me in a way that no other activity ever could.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
Running is my reset. It is where I process, reflect, and reconnect with myself and my surroundings. There is something really powerful about lacing up my shoes before sunrise and running along the River Thames, watching the city slowly come to life. Passing our hotel’s nearby landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge, and Shakespeare’s Globe never fails to inspire me, and they remind me how lucky I am to live and move in such a vibrant place filled with history. I am currently training for a half marathon in the south of Spain, and it has taught me so much about discipline and resilience.
At The Westin London City, our team embraces running through our dedicated RunWESTIN program, which encourages guests to explore the city through movement. We host monthly 5Ks led by our own Run Concierge, Charlie Watson, and provide guidance (including nutritional advice) and training year-round. It is not just exercise, it is one of the most accessible, soul-nourishing forms of self-care I know.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
Becoming a qualified yoga instructor while working full-time in a demanding leadership role has been incredibly meaningful. What I am most proud of, though, is using that qualification to give back by volunteering to teach yoga classes for our hotel associates. The last class I led was in June to mark International Yoga Day. In our fast-paced, often high-pressure hospitality environment, it is important that we, as leaders, create space for wellness, especially for younger team members who are just finding their footing. Supporting their wellbeing is just as important as nurturing our guests.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
I deeply admire the yoga teachers who give so much of themselves to help others reconnect with their breath, their body, and mind, such as Michael Eley (@mistereley), who is among London’s most respected yoga teachers. I received my training from him, and his wife Sindy Haque is equally brilliant. Their impact often goes far beyond the studio. What I find so powerful is their ability to remind us that wellness isn’t something to chase, it is something we return to. That philosophy has shaped the way I see wellbeing at The Westin London City, where we create environments that support people in slowing down, breathing deeply, and feeling restored, whether they are guests, team members, or part of our wider community. The quiet strength and presence of those teachers continues to inspire how I lead, live, and share wellness with others.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
Wendy Nierel Bosalavage, a wellness entrepreneur who serves on the advisory board of Synergy – The Retreat Show, once said “This is not a drill. This is it.” It hit me deeply. We spend so much of our lives racing toward the next thing, believing rest, joy, and even wellness will come after the deadline, the event, the next achievement. But life is not a rehearsal. This moment is the real thing. That perspective has helped me embrace rest and presence, not as indulgences, but as essentials. At The Westin London City, we champion that very idea: that our guests deserve to feel well now, not someday. Whether it is through deep, restorative sleep, mindful movement, or simply a pause to breathe, we create spaces for people to reconnect with themselves. And as a leader, I have learned to offer that same care to my team and to myself.
What do you think is the most exciting wellness innovation you have recently discovered?
The integration of wellness into hospitality in meaningful, guest-focused ways. At The Westin London City, we incorporate sleep-enhancing environments like our signature Westin Heavenly Bed and movement-inspired experiences, such as our recent collaboration with ceramist Caroline Winn, who provided an interactive ceramic workshop series at the hotel this summer, along with offering nourishing cuisine at our restaurants.
What is your idea of balanced healthy happiness?
For me, it’s about living in a way that feels aligned, moving your body, feeding your soul, doing work you love and you are proud of, connecting with people who energize you, and giving yourself permission to rest without guilt.
Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?
One breathwork practice I often return to, especially in moments of stress or fatigue, is a powerful form of pranayama. It is simple: inhale through the nose in four short, forceful bursts, then exhale fully through the nose in one long breath. Repeating this pattern for up to 10 rounds creates a noticeable shift in both my body and mind. Breath is such a powerful tool and often the most underused. This practice reminds me to come back to the present moment and move through the day with more clarity.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
I am most at peace somewhere sunny, still, and surrounded by nature. The mountains in Georgia, with their vast green landscapes and glistening lakes, hold a special place in my heart. It’s the kind of place where you breathe a little deeper, think a little clearer, and feel completely present. Being there reminds me how healing simplicity can be: quiet walks, simple food, and the space to just be. That said, I am also a little biased, our Heavenly Spa at The Westin London City offers something truly special for those in need of a wellness reset without leaving the city. Whether it’s an early morning swim or a weekend of treatments, nourishing food, and rest, it’s a reminder that you don’t always have to travel far to reconnect with yourself. Sometimes, the retreat you need is right where you are.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
Always movement. A short run in nature helps me clear my head and reconnect with the present moment. Other times, it is rolling out my mat and easing into a yoga practice. Breathing deeply and intentionally is a close second.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
Drinking enough water consistently. It sounds so simple, yet on busy days, it is the first thing I forget. I know how important hydration is for energy, focus, and overall wellbeing, so I am working on building small, intentional habits like starting the day with a glass of water and keeping a bottle near me throughout the day. It is a work in progress, but those small shifts really do add up.
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
Breath by James Nestor completely shifted how I think about something as simple and essential as breathing. It is powerful, science-based, and deeply human. I also recommend Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith, a brilliant read for those interested in the intersection of psychology and ancient wisdom. Each of these books offers something different, but they both lead back to the same truth: wellness starts within.
What brings you joy?
I find joy in listening deeply, supporting others, and simply being present with people. I also love exploring new things, meeting people from different backgrounds, and learning about what makes them who they are. Joy lives in those shared moments of connection and discovery.
