Can you tell us about your career path and your role as Executive Housekeeper?
" Ever since I was a child, I have always dreamed of having a job with responsibilities and making an impact on the people around me. I never imagined I would be able to do so within the luxury hospitality industry.
I studied finance because I was very comfortable with numbers. I love the analytical side of it and find it very intellectually stimulating.
However, I really missed the human aspect. I decided to move into hospitality after meeting a hospitality professional while travelling, whose passion for the industry inspired me.
I then started working seasonal jobs, cleaning rooms myself. Thanks to some wonderful encounters, a lot of hard work and a constant desire to learn, I naturally progressed to my current position.
As Executive Housekeeper, my role is very diverse and my responsibilities vary greatly, which is precisely what I enjoy about it.
I am indirectly connected to every department, and I appreciate the overall perspective this gives me of the hotel.
You need to be able to move from one subject to another, coordinate, anticipate, manage and oversee operations, while maintaining a broader perspective.
I am responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of the hotel and the comfort of our guests, but also for making sure my team has everything they need to do their job well. "
In your opinion, what role does an Executive Housekeeper play in the guest experience?
" Our guests should be able to feel at home, in a clean, comfortable environment that encourages relaxation. And that is an essential part of my role as Executive Housekeeper.
My role is to take care, behind the scenes, of everything the guest should never have to notice, but would immediately feel if it were not done properly.
My goal is to anticipate their needs as much as possible so they can simply enjoy their stay, without ever having to think about the service, cleanliness or the details around them. "
Which details do you pay the most attention to?
" Generally speaking, I want to bring a sense of soul and energy to every space in the hotel.
This can be achieved through perfect symmetry, the balance of the furniture and its position within the space, the lighting, or simply the way each element finds its place.
In the rooms, while I am of course uncompromising when it comes to cleanliness, I also pay great attention to the set-up.
A perfectly arranged throw, the bedside lamp cables positioned identically and, above all, I love perfectly made beds and impeccable pillows!
Then there is that final look before leaving the room. The one that allows you to check that everything is in its place and that the atmosphere of the room truly reflects the work of an entire team. "
What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your day-to-day work?
" My greatest satisfaction is seeing my team progress, support one another and build genuine connections. This managerial role is very important to me.
I try to bring a new dynamic to the housekeeping department and, above all, enable everyone to find their place and take pride in their work.
These are demanding, physical and often unseen professions. I therefore try to give my team the recognition and working conditions they need to perform at their best and want to come back every morning.
Then, of course, there is guest satisfaction. It is the result of the energy brought by the team, so it is naturally a great achievement when I meet guests and they are delighted with the service they have received. "
In a few words, how would you define your vision of hospitality?
" For me, hospitality is about discretion in the details. Every guest has a different way of feeling valued.
It might be a thoughtful gesture left in their room, a request we have taken the time to respond to, or simply allowing them to focus solely on the present moment.
I like the idea of speaking a different language to each guest, always with the same intention: making them feel that their stay has been designed especially for them. "