Hotel laundry a wrinkle in time for 45-year worker
Manager known as ‘heart of the house’ honored for long tenure
Lunch was the main thing on Carmen Alvarado’s mind Monday morning as she walked with a coworker through the laundry room of the historic St. Anthony Hotel in downtown San Antonio.
But thoughts of where to brunch gave way to shock as she was greeted by the glare of bright television lights and the applause of co-workers who lined the basement corridor.
The surprise was to mark Alvarado’s 45th year of working in the laundry room, one flight down from the hotel’s main lobby. Balloons, tied to opened doors, floated above the 66-year-old laundry manager, known affectionally as the “heart of the house.”
Three dozen employees, from all departments, crowded the hallways to celebrate her anniversary with flowers and a cake. Some well-wishers noted that not many people achieve similar milestones these days.
Convention services manager Fabiola Lozano, 26, looked on through tearfilled eyes.
“I love her,” she said. “I’m happy to see that she’s acknowledged.”
The director of housekeeping, Rebecca Leal, hugged Alvarado and presented her with two gifts: fine luxury linens and a customized fleece blanket with her name on it. Then Leal hung a sign on the white, concrete-block wall that read: “Carmen’s Laun-
“Thank you, all of you, very much,” Alvarado said, sweeping her arms to the crowd. “I love everybody.”
During her tenure, the laundry manager has witnessed many changes.
She’s worked with 25 general managers, dozens of housekeeping directors and eight different hotel companies.
Debbie Gonzalez, senior account executive, said Alvarado’s demeanor has brightened the St. Anthony Hotel.
“Through peaks and valleys, as hotels go through interesting times, her team has always been steady and happy,” Gonzalez said. “Through her leadership, they’ve always been productive. What they do is very difficult; it’s not glamorous. We always need employees who will work 45 years.”
The first time Alvarado saw the historic hotel was in 1963, when her parents moved her and her seven siblings from Monterrey, Mexico. When they would visit downtown, they would walk along Travis Park and she would wonder what it would be like to walk inside the luxurious landmark.
Ten years later, she got her chance during a three-month trial period in the laundry room. Those shifts turned into 45 years of providing fresh, clean sheets, towels and tablecloths to guests.
She learned to work flat iron machines, and she toiled beside seamstresses and cleaning crews who are no longer on the payroll.
The days were hot and sweaty. Before 1983, when air conditioning was installed, they found relief from big fans and by opening small windows to allow cool air to drift in from the park. And along with her co-workers, she smoothed out wrinkles and folded sheets to the tunes of the day.
Alvarado never married. Her co-workers became as dear to her as her family members. As her parents grew older, she cared for them until their last days.
Her passion outside of work is singing with the mariachi choir at San Fernando Cathedral, during the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass.
Leal said Alvarado plays an indry.” tegral role, ensuring the laundry never shuts down.
“She’s a treasure,” Leal said, “and the sweetest lady you’ll ever meet. Renaming the laundry after her is very fitting. Any future employee that becomes a part of the hotel will see Carmen’s Laundry.”