My Year with Starboard Hotels
Hampton by Hilton London Park Royal is the newest and one of the largest Starboard hotels, having opened in October 2020 with 162 bedrooms.
Being just a stone's throw from Wembley stadium, the hotel is regularly filled with football fans and concert-goers as well as lots of corporate guests and groups. The hotel team is largely from the local area and is led by experienced General Manager Ben Faycal Bennani and Deputy Manager Kat Sychla.
Over the past year, I have been on my University placement which has involved working in the marketing department, but also working at the Hampton on a full-time basis. I am sharing my experiences of working in one of the Starboard Hotels in the hope that someone reading this will be inspired to join the Starboard community and begin or continue their hospitality journey.
Written by Rebecca Hingston
This year I have stepped out of my comfort zone which was difficult at times, but with this, I have a newfound self-confidence and have built an unrivalled skill set that will be invaluable throughout my career.
I have become a proficient Receptionist, Bartender, Waitress and even at times a Chef. With these experiences, my ability to adapt to situations and multitask has improved greatly.
Working in a Starboard hotel, everybody is encouraged to become a supportive and outgoing team player, while also being moulded into a strong leader. Dealing with people 24/7 can be challenging but will strengthen your interpersonal and communication skills and bring new and unforeseen challenges that will develop the ability to quickly find a practical solution to problems that arise.
All these skills will allow you to provide guests with a service exceeding their expectations.
Admittedly, hotel work can sometimes be overwhelming, but it is also the most rewarding industry. You can experience the gratification of making someone’s day with a large gesture, such as especially decorating a room, or even with a much smaller detail.
One of the greatest attributes of Starboard Hotels is its dedication and desire to promote people from within the organisation. After only five months in hospitality and five months at the hotel, I was promoted from a Guest Services Assistant to a Guest Services Supervisor. Hospitality is full of opportunities to progress, both professionally and personally, especially within Starboard Hotels.
Working in a hotel, you will laugh more than you ever have and find that your coworkers become your family and you all develop a powerful sense of community. At times, you may see your coworkers more than your actual family. These people who ride the hospitality rollercoaster with you are the only ones who understand exactly how you are feeling. At times certain aspects of the job are incredibly challenging, but having the right team, who will support you without having to ask and make you smile when you’re struggling, makes a huge difference.
After my time with Starboard Hotels, I will be returning to Bournemouth University to complete the final year of my Marketing Degree. While I have chosen not to pursue a career in hotel operations, I have greatly enjoyed my year in hospitality and will be looking for a graduate role in this industry. For anyone considering a job in hospitality or for those considering a career change, I would say that from my experience you will not gain the same skills or find people as inclusive and friendly anywhere else.
For more on what it’s like to work for Starboard Hotels visit our Careers or SHAPE page. Alternatively, you can hear from another member of the Starboard community about their time with the company if you click here.