With over 17 years at Aró Digital Strategy, Conor McGuire has been at the heart of delivering websites for some of the world’s most prestigious hotels. Based in Galway, he’s the bridge between hoteliers and Aró’s design and development teams, ensuring every project runs smoothly from start to finish. We caught up with Conor to learn more about his role, his views on the industry, and even how he relaxes outside of work.
Conor, tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be working as a project manager at Aró.
I’ve always been drawn to the digital world, from working at an internet start-up in San Francisco at the turn of the millennium, to managing the registration services team at the .IE Domain Registry. Working in the internet industry has always been something I enjoy. I joined Aró in late 2007 when the company was still quite small, which meant I had the chance to grow with it. Over time, I found that project management was the perfect fit - combining creativity, structure, teamwork and the opportunity to work directly with some incredible hotels.
What are your primary responsibilities in the web design and build team?
As Design & Build Manager I lead a team of very talented visual designers, front-end web developers and support staff, working closely with them to make sure everything runs smoothly. I’m also involved in managing most of the projects that are delivered by the company. In this role I’m the main point of contact with clients, keeping them updated and helping them understand the process. My job is to make sure the end result reflects the hotel’s brand, looks stunning and performs commercially.
Is the way Aró creates hotel websites different from other agencies?
Definitely. Many agencies can design a good-looking website, but we go further by blending design with strategy. We know the luxury hotel sector inside out, and we don’t use templates. Every site we build is bespoke, carefully tailored to each hotel’s brand and backed by data-driven insights that help turn lookers into bookers.
What’s the most difficult part of your role?
Keeping timelines on track can be tricky. Hotels are incredibly busy, and clients often have a lot of competing priorities. Sometimes it’s hard to get the requirements or approvals we need quickly. My role is about finding that balance between patience and persistence: making sure our clients feel supported while ensuring the project keeps moving.
What are the common misconceptions you come across when talking to hoteliers about their website?
The biggest one is that a website is “finished” once it launches. In reality, a hotel website should evolve - it needs continuous updates, improvements, and optimisations. Another misconception is that it’s all about impressive design. In truth, speed, functionality, user experience, SEO, and the booking journey are just as important as the initial wow factor the customer gets when first visiting the website.
Which Aró website are you most proud of? And have you stayed in that hotel?
There are several, but one that stands out recently is the Ballyfin Demesne based in Co. Laois. It is probably the most exclusive and exquisitely restored country estate in Ireland and as such the project came with very high expectations. Collaborating with their design team, we delivered something that really captured the hotel’s brand and character. As part of the design process I was fortunate enough to receive a tour of the property, which was a special experience and which helped us develop a deep understanding of the property’s unique character.
What’s your view on AI, and do you think a robot could do your job?
AI is definitely playing a bigger role in digital strategy. It can speed up certain tasks, like content generation or data analysis, and that’s exciting because it frees up time for more creative thinking. But when it comes to my role - liaising with hotel teams, understanding their brand story, and managing the human side of projects - I don’t see AI replacing that. A big part of what I do is about relationships and trust, and that’s something technology can support but not replicate.
And finally, how do you relax away from work?
Living in Galway, I’m lucky to have the river, sea and countryside nearby. I enjoy both playing and coaching football, fair weather swimming and hiking, the occasional bad game of golf and spending time with family and friends.