Living in London as I have been doing for the past week and a half might be one challenge but working in this enormous city is something else entirely! I began my first day of work on Friday at Grosvenor House – A JW Marriott Hotel as a sales and marketing intern and going into the experience I had no idea what the day would hold for me or how my colleagues would treat me. Fortunately, my first day was made tremendously easier by the fact that I am working in industry where friendliness and hospitality means good business, and I was welcomed into the team with open arms. My initial introduction to the entire team was actually during the morning “stand-up” meeting where staff achievements, goals, and events are announced and celebrated for all to see. It was a moving first impression, having no knowledge of who these people are or what they do, and yet standing next to them as they revealed the hundreds of rooms they’ve booked for a specific event or exchanged ideas on how to remember a guest’s name. I instantly felt like one of the team, a feeling that organizations seldom impart so quickly and seamlessly into new employees but which this team managed to do in 15 minutes.
After the morning stand-up, I was introduced to various members of the staff to find out what they did and also why they love working for Marriott. The coolest thing about this was meeting people from all over the world including Italy, Spain, Australia, and the Netherlands, who all have an appreciation for hotels and, more importantly, Marriott as their company of choice. Each team member took the time to meticulously explain what he or she did and how it relates to the overall goals and vision of both Grosvenor House and of Marriott International. It was incredibly interesting to see how many different roles and processes there are in a sales department for a luxury hotel, and how each one contributes to keeping the hotel as busy as possible throughout the year.
Moreover, I was also taken on a tour of the property, which included a look at the historic Great Room–Europe’s oldest and largest ballroom. Lucky for me it was being decorated for an event that night and it looked absolutely breath-taking! The Great Room, which originally operated as an indoor ice-skating rink, can hold a maximum of 2,000 people and is adorned with 8 crystal chandeliers. Many important people have dined and danced at Grosvenor House, and the hotel is famous for a number of events including the Royal Catalonian Ball.
Finally, I was given a coffee table book on the history of the hotel and wow does Grosvenor House have a history! Constructed in 1929, this hotel managed to stay open through the Great Depression and World War II, has gone under hundreds of millions of dollars in renovations, and continues to hold over the top banquets and fundraisers for some of the biggest corporations, non-profits, and celebrities in the world.
I am in awe of the fact that I will be working in a 5-star hotel as storied as Grosvenor House and I cannot wait to grow personally and professionally from this experience. As my role in the hotel begins to take shape, I am looking forward to contributing to the history of an already historic luxury hotel.
Leave a Reply