Success story: Former receptionist scores dream job in large Danish hotel chain
Eva Larsen had only just walked through the door as the new receptionist at Zleep Hotels, when she walked up to the then current Hotel Manager and said: “I want your job”. Hard work, perseverance and drive is what made Eva’s dream come true. The former receptionist took over the role as Hotel Manager at Zleep Hotel Ishøj at the end of 2018, to the pleasure of Eva herself and to many of her colleagues. The promotion happened at the time of Eva’s 10-year anniversary at the Danish hotel chain.
The career takes off already from the start
For Eva, the hotel adventure started back in November 2008 as receptionist at the former Zleep Hotel Airport close to Kastrup in Copenhagen. Two years later the hotel was bought, but Eva continued her career as receptionist at Zleep Hotel Ballerup and Zleep Hotel Ishøj where she was given more and more responsibility for both staff, training, product orders and commission:
“Eva is probably the most service-oriented person I have ever met. She is extremely good at taking care of people and with her warm and inviting body language, she shows to guests, colleagues and employees that she is passionate about providing a good service. Our guests often ask directly for Eva, as they feel safe and welcome with Eva in the house. There is nothing Eva can’t do, and she solves even the biggest challenges with a smile on her face. There is no one I would rather leave responsibility to,” says Melanie Santos, former Hotel Manager at Zleep Hotel Ishøj and current Booking Manager, about Eva’s desire and ability to take responsibility.
The importance of testing oneself
During her career, Eva was offered the possibility to become Supervisor at the hotel chain’s Service Office in Høje Taastrup. Already after half a year she decided to go back to the hotel in Ishøj, this time as Front Office Manager:
“I wasn’t meant for only administrative work. I quickly came to miss the guests and the daily operations. For me it is extremely awarding to be able to combine the administrative tasks with hotel service and personal contact with guests. I have really been able to test myself and my competencies here at Zleep. I have been allowed to take responsibility, to develop as a person and most importantly; to fail”, explains Eva Larsen about her career journey in the hotel chain.
In December 2018 the Hotel Manager position became available whereby Eva’s dream became a reality.
A burning passion for hotel operations
There is no doubt that Eva Larsen’s success at the hotel chain is due to a huge passion for hotel operations and service but most of all her will of steel. Determination is crucial when new actions are to be implemented and when challenges are to be coped with. As new Hotel Manager Eva expects a lot of challenges:
“I love being at the hotel. I love the operational tasks, my staff and our many wonderful guests. To see the hotel in Ishøj develop and to take responsibility for future development is a dream come true. I have a lot of ideas that I look forward to implementing. I have this fantastic feeling of accomplishment in my body and even though it is a huge challenge to be a new Hotel Manager I look forward to every part of it”, says a happy Eva Larsen about her new position.
Eva’s desire and excitement for hotel operations is reflected in the well-being of the hotel staff:
“Eva is good at leading the way. She supports her colleagues and gives them space to develop and learn. We are a small but good team at the hotel, and we always help each other. The team spirit keeps on growing”, says Barbara Christensen, receptionist at Zleep Hotel Ishøj.
About Zleep Hotels
Zleep Hotels is a part of Deutsche Hospitality’s brand family. Zleep’s vision is to always deliver quality, service and design at a great rate for the many. Today, the hotel brand consists of 10 hotels in Denmark and one in Sweden. A total of four hotel projects are already published and in the pipeline. The goal is to operate 40 hotels in 2025. To realize this goal, Zleep Hotels must prove its competences to be considered an attractive franchisor, partner and investment. Deutsche Hospitality’s acquisition of a stake in the brand is a stamp of approval for property developers. Beside Zleep Hotels the umbrella brand Deutsche Hospitality combines four well-known hotels brands: Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts, MAXX by Steigenberger, Jaz in the City and IntercityHotel. Deutsche Hospitality’s portfolio currently encompasses a total of over 130 hotels on three continents. Read more about Zleep Hotels. Read more about Deutsche Hospitality.
Contact
Tina Berning
HR Manager, Zleep Hotels
tb@zleep.com
+45 21 21 63 52