Executive Housekeeper Nadia Moriconi
From Brazil to Sofitel Sydney Wentworth:
Executive Housekeeper, Nadia Moriconi By Mandy Clarke, Editor
felt I needed to explore the world to gain international experience.
On most days, Nadia Moriconi can be found in one of her favourite places - amid the vibrant bustle of the Sydney CBD - in Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
“Australia was on my radar because of the similarities with Brazil and its reputation of being a friendly and amicable country. I left Brazil for Sydney in 2003, planning to stay for four months, but I fell in love with the country and had to extend my stay.
Here, she proudly works behind the scenes to help create the iconic 5-star hotel experience guests expect when they arrive for a luxury escape at this hotel. Nadia is a self-confessed people person and has always thrived and felt happiest when surrounded by her large and “loud” Brazilian-Italian family. She just loves being around people: “I feel good when I make someone happy and welcome, so what would be the
Nadia Moriconi
best career for someone like me? Hospitality of course! “I discovered my passion for hospitality in my home country of Brazil where I also graduated from hotel management in 2002. After completing my studies, I
Luckily, I found a job in a restaurant and in a little motel in Artarmon where I did everything from cleaning guestrooms to breakfast, laundry, reception, reservations, and closing. My earnings were enough to subsidise living expenses and studies, which allowed me to stay in Australia for a year. What an experience!” Nadia explains that after she returned to Brazil, she gained as much hospitality expertise
AccomNews - Spring 2020
“I began to apply for jobs in Australia and, in 2009, I received an offer from a housekeeping company to work at Hilton Melbourne South Wharf. After one year, the position of assistant Executive Housekeeper
A: What we do relates to the success of the hotel. If we do it badly, it is the reputation of the hotel at stake. That is what I get everyone to understand. Our job in housekeeping is vital to the success and reputation of the hotel. People stay in hotels to sleep in a bed and room that is clean. That is the most important thing to the guest.
Q: The job has taken you around the world?
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“I worked in several departments including sales, banquets and front office but the area that sparked my attention most was housekeeping. In my hometown of Sao Paulo, I worked at Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi as a housekeeping supervisor. After a few years I took the opportunity to move to Chicago for an 18-month internship at the Embassy Suite by Hilton as the Assistant Executive Housekeeper.
Q: You are at the front line of guest satisfaction?
Management came to me a year after I started as a trainee and said ‘okay it’s time to go to front office’ but I said ‘No, I don’t want to move. I’ve found my niche. I really enjoy being in housekeeping.’ I worked with Holiday Inn in Bristol, Plymouth and Slough-Windsor and I was actually the youngest ever Executive Housekeeper at 22.
A: I have specialised in housekeeping since I trained in the UK and my husband and I moved to Australia in 1982. I opened the Southern Cross in Sydney, which is now the Vibe, then the Park Hyatt, then Park Lane which is now the Sheraton Grand Sydney. The Pre-opening is when you really get that bonding, people working together at the same time and everyone working together. After the Park Hyatt opening in 1990, I went to Buenos Aires in Argentina to help open the Park Hyatt there. I also went to Shanghai and helped open the Radisson Blu there. Then I went to Fiji to open the Radisson there. It was very exciting the visits were at least a
as she could and prepared to achieve of her dream of returning to Australia.
month, though I was in Buenos Aires for two and a half months. Q: How would you define the role of an Executive Housekeeper, what does your day involve? A: It’s about leadership, leading the team to achieve the common goals which are set by head office, but it filters down to the hotel and departmental level. Down to the individual. We have had as many as 60 staff in housekeeping and we all have the goal to have excellence in what we do. If you have a happy team, if they understand what they are supposed to be doing it runs smoothly. Everyone
must be comfortable with what they are doing and are doing it well. We always try to exceed guest expectations. You must make people proud of what they are doing. Q: What is the most important factor for your role? A: To succeed in this job you have to have passion. I still love housekeeping all these years on. In the hospitality industry if you are successful it is because you love it. We work long hours, but we do it because we love it and want to maintain that culture of excellence.
HOUSEKEEPING
Q: How do you relax away from work? A: My husband and I have golden retriever dogs and we love taking them on long walks through the bush near where we live at Wahroonga in Sydney’s north. It is a very leafy part of the world. I love gardening, too, and I go to the gym three days a week. Q: It must give you a great sense of satisfaction to know you are giving guests a great stay. A: Yes, and it’s great to see people progressing in the housekeeping role, as well. Because when you have a happy staff, you have happy guests. www.accomnews.com.au
