Leisure Alchemy
The Science of Meaningful Leisure. The Business of Five-Star Execution.
Leisure Alchemy serves as a think tank at the intersection of leisure, wellness and hospitality. The name Leisure Alchemy reflects the core tension at the heart of this industry. "Leisure" represents the goal — helping people convert their most precious resource, their free time, into experiences that are meaningful, fulfilling, and transformational. "Alchemy" acknowledges the business reality: turning that goal into a profitable, scalable operation requires creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of human psychology. It is not easy. But it is extraordinarily interesting.
Meet the Founder: Jeremy McCarthy
I have spent the last three decades at the intersection of luxury hospitality, wellness, and human psychology. As the former Group Director of Leisure, Spa & Wellness for Mandarin Oriental Hotels, I had the privilege of leading a global portfolio that achieved more Forbes Five-Star Spas than any other hotel group in the world, and earned the title of World's Best Hotel Spa Brand for four consecutive years. But my work has always extended far beyond the spa. From my early career helping to establish iconic resort properties like Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, to renovating the expansive wellness and leisure offerings at the legendary La Costa Resort & Spa, to developing comprehensive spa and resort collections for Starwood Hotels, I have always championed a holistic view of the guest experience.
I believe that true luxury is not just about the wellness facilities or the services offered; it is about how we make guests feel. This belief led me to the University of Pennsylvania, where I earned a Master of Applied Positive Psychology. My research on The Psychology of Spas & Wellbeing led me to develop wellness programmes and leisure experiences that are:
Profoundly original and distinct from what others are doing.
Deeply impactful and fulfilling to our guests. And,
Contribute meaningfully to the business and brand value of the organizations I work for.
My academic foundation in psychology allows me to view consumer and colleague behavior through a distinct psychological lens. I don't just look at what guests do; I study why they do it. Why do we play? How do we recover? What makes an experience truly transformational? What are the wellness needs of consumers in the age of technology? How do we create value for our customers in a way that builds deep loyalty and engagement? I founded Leisure Alchemy to bring this unique blend of operational excellence and psychological insight to the broader leisure economy.
Whether I am advising a luxury hotel brand on their wellness strategy, helping a hospitality vendor position their product for the five-star market, or writing about the future of longevity clinics, my goal is the same: to help the architects of leisure create experiences that are deeply meaningful, profoundly enjoyable, and highly profitable. My mission is to work with those who use business as a force for good, helping customers to convert their free time into meaningful, fulfilling and even transformational experiences.
The Alchemist’s Notes
Monthly Insight Report: once a month, a 600 to 900 word deep-dive into a single idea at the intersection of leisure, science, and business strategy. It is always opinionated, always grounded in evidence, and always written from the perspective of someone who has direct real-world experience with navigating these challenges in the delivery of exceptional guest and customer experiences.
Weekly Leisure Roundup: A curated report of the biggest news in the industry. What's now, what's new, and what's next in the world of leisure. Join us as we keep our finger on the pulse of the biggest movers and shakers in leisure, wellness and hospitality.
Subscriptions are free! Share your email address to get Leisure Alchemy delivered to your inbox.
Sign up for weekly briefings at the intersection of leisure, wellness, and hospitality.
The Consultancy
Leisure Alchemy provides strategic advisory services to luxury hospitality brands, experience architects, and wellness innovators. For more information on our advisory services, please contact [email protected]. Join us — as together we shape the future of leisure, wellness and hospitality.
Leisure Alchemy
Intelligence and inspiration for the architects of leisure. Get weekly, story-driven analysis on the trends shaping luxury hospitality, wellness, and recreation. From the longevity economy to the future of resort design, we explore what it takes to build experiences that are meaningful, enjoyable, and profitable.