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First day on the job, and I was equal parts excited and nervous, running on a severe lack of sleep—all because I was paranoid I’d oversleep. Funny how the fear of being late is what kept me up half the night!
Seven out of nine suites were booked—great for occupancy! My nerves, though? Not quite as solid. And, just to make things interesting, both of my team members called in last minute, leaving me to hold down the fort solo.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well, I was knee-deep in breakfast prep when the phone rang. Room 3, the Mystery Suite. Apparently, there was a leaky roof. A leaky roof? I tried to keep my cool as I dashed to investigate, only for the phone to ring again—Room 4, the Wedding Suite. This time, it was a jacuzzi that wouldn’t turn off. And then it clicked. The “mystery leak” was coming from above, where the Wedding Suite’s jacuzzi was bubbling over!
So there I was, calming down both rooms, all while my food and beverage prep was utterly forgotten. I came back to find that my carefully prepared bread rolls had transformed into charcoal briquettes.
The worst part? Sending guests away without breakfast. I was mortified and just about ready to cry, convinced this was the most stressful day of my life.
Later, after finally getting housekeeping in order, I started feeling a hint of control again. It was almost liberating as if I’d finally synced up with the hotel’s rhythm and was ready to welcome new guests.
My favorite part of being a hotelier
Nadja at the RoomRaccoon Check-In Hospitality Event in Breda
On my first day, I also discovered my absolute favorite part of the job—the thing that fuels my excitement and reminds me exactly why I chose this journey: the joy of checking in a guest.
There’s something special about that moment of greeting them, getting to know a bit about their journey, and showing them to their suite. Their smiles as they take in the place they’ll call home for the next few days? Pure magic.
Do-overs: 2 lessons from day one
- Do a test run—sticky notes just don’t cut it
I had sticky notes on every possible surface, but they weren’t enough to prepare me for the reality of a busy hotel day. The best preparation? A test run of the daily routine with someone who knows the ropes. Find a fellow hotelier or, if possible, the previous owner, and do a real-life walkthrough.
- Automate as much as possible
This was the first time I really stopped to appreciate the power of technology. I quickly realized I didn’t want my mental energy tied up in repetitive tasks like manual invoicing or constantly checking booking channels—I’d much rather focus on details like serving banana or strawberry yogurt!
Automating administrative tasks—like invoicing, inventory checks, and booking management—frees up time, reduces stress, and allows you to focus on what truly matters: the guests and their experience.
