WELCOME TO
MY DIARY…

My love affair with the hotel world began when I was 10 years old. I discovered this ‘unknown’ industry while accompanying my father to some of the hotels he frequented during his business travels. From that moment on, I developed a sense of belonging in the hospitality industry that has never ceased throughout the years.

After my graduation from The Hotel Management School in Lausanne, Switzerland I moved across the world for a fantastic opportunity at the Hyatt Regency Acapulco in Mexico. Not only did I land my first job, but it was the place in which I found my mentor; someone who entrusted me with the development of the strategic sales and marketing initiatives for the entire property, and who gave me the opportunity to lead the Public Relations department of the Hotel. It was a remarkable opportunity for someone of such a young age!

After three incredible years, it was time for me to fly (as my mentor would say), so I decided to return to my hometown to work for one of the best and most prestigious hotels in Europe: The Ritz-Carlton - Hotel Arts Barcelona. I spent five great years within the Sales Department selling and organizing international events and leading the entertainment market for the Hotel.

I found my professional self in these years, learning how to execute in superlatives, how to develop genuine and outstanding customer service, and master the tools and the systems unique to The Ritz-Carlton brand in delivering an outstanding guest experience. Not only was I witness to this excellence in service culture, but I also started developing a large network of international influencers from different domains.

My experiences at the Hotel Arts reinforced my destiny to orchestrate and lead a hotel. My unwavering desire to inspire talent through training and in the creation of new and innovative experiences helped to put me in front of the Fluxà family—one of Spain’s avant-garde pioneers in fashion, design, and creativity—who, 35 years after founding their fashion brand, Camper, decided to create a lifestyle hotel concept. And as such, I became the General Manager of the world’s first Casa Camper Hotel in Barcelona. From overseeing the pre-opening of the project for 10 months prior to the opening together with the engineers, architects, and designers, I established the lodging company’s mission and vision, standards, service culture, and philosophy, and I managed employee recruitment and training, all in time for the hotel to open by January 2005. Casa Camper Barcelona quickly became one of the most unique and talked-about boutique hotel concepts in Europe, featured in influential newspapers and magazines, and hosting a new type of demanding and creative traveler looking for a more authentic experience in their travels. Despite being such a small hotel, we were quickly positioned on the top of the list of the best hotels to stay in Barcelona and continually ranked number 1 on TripAdvisor! I am happy to note that this reputation remains still today. Working for a brand like Camper, I was constantly exposed to creatives, and learned how to break with tradition and to be different.

It was in 2007 that I was given the privilege to join Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Corporate Leadership Team to head Global Brand Operations in New York. As the Vice President of their new brand, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, I led the transformation of an aging brand with an incredibly global portfolio into a leading-edge, lifestyle concept. Under my direction, we redefined the guest experience by implementing several high-impact programs and initiatives and major property renovations, all highlighted by revitalized marketing efforts leading to heighted brand awareness, guest loyalty, and revenue.

My love affair with hotels soon had to be shared with another love story when my now-husband entered the picture, and moved from a sleepy mountain town in Europe to the city that never sleeps (New York). To find our unique balance, we decided on finding our own paradise island that was frequented by honeymooners from across the world. That’s how I returned to operations managing the luxurious Komandoo Island Resort in the Maldives. Simultaneously challenging and stimulating, we catered to repeat guests that came for an average of 12 days. And for us, we made their stay incredibly memorable, as though as if it was their first time, each time.

After a year, I was lured away from the island paradise to take on another corporate challenge as part of a new company based in Chicago: Amble Resorts. Leading Global Operations, I was in charge of the development and creation of an ambitious boutique eco-resort brand in Central America, with projects in Panama and Belize. When my twins were born, I decided to pause my career although I have never been disconnected from the industry thanks to my large and diverse network.

Today I am very proud to announce the launch of THE LUXURY HOTEL CURATOR, bringing my extensive leadership experience with world-class brands to hotels that seek to offer exclusive and different curated guest experiences for their guests.

To be continued …