Crystal Resto

Director of Sales and Marketing AC and Element Hotels

Crystal Resto was in her early 20s when she began working as a front desk clerk at a hotel in her hometown of El Paso. She quickly became intrigued by the creativity the sales team brought to the weddings, parties, and other events held at the property, and she soon moved into the sales department. After moving to San Antonio in 2014, Resto continued her career in hotel sales and marketing and has served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for AC and Element Hotels for the past two years.

Resto noted that she is encouraged to see more women moving into leadership roles in the hospitality industry. “Today, it is becoming more common to see women as general managers, directors of food and beverage, and in other leadership positions,” she said. “We are the next generation of leaders in the hospitality industry, and we are proving that you can excel in a leadership role and still have a family.”

Resto is passionate about all things related to travel and tourism. “I love to travel, and I love meeting people who are traveling here from all over the world,” she said. “Every day is different in my job, and I get to meet people from all walks of life.

“I also love being able to create experiences for our guests. In our hotel, we can create anything imaginable for our guests and make it a memorable and special experience. Since the beginning of my hospitality career, I’ve hosted everything from a rodeo beauty pageant to a barbershop haircutting competition to a three-day Indian wedding event. At the AC and Element, I’m having a great time planning private parties for my customers at our breathtaking rooftop bar, 1Watson.”

According to Resto, the travel industry has definitely changed in the post-pandemic era. “We are seeing a lot more travelers who are focused on mixing business with pleasure,” she explained. “Our guests want to continue living their life with their routines when they aren’t home. To meet their needs, we offer more healthy dining options, top-notch workout facilities, and pet-friendly accommodations. Guests also want to be able to work from anywhere, so we have USB charging ports throughout our properties.”

Resto also noted that one of the best aspects of her job is being able to motivate her team. “I always tell them that I want them to be winners in life, not just at their job. There is nothing better than hiring someone and seeing them grow and get promoted.”