How a hotel exec carved a successful career starting from housekeeping

Novotel Manila Araneta City hotel manager Maria Garcia doesn’t mind being endearingly called “mother” or “Mama Mary” by the hotel staff.

The remark is done out of respect for Garcia, whose vast experience in hotel management, and success in the industry has made her earn the admiration of people in the hotel industry, here and abroad.

In her career that spans 27 years, Garcia has opened four international hotels, rebranded three hotels, and graciously received the “Mabuhay Awards” of the Philippine Association of Human Resources for the managerial category in 2008.

Prior to working at Novotel Manila Araneta City, Garcia had previously worked in a number of Accor branded hotels such as Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua and Sofitel Philippine Plaza. She also had a stint at Pico Sands Hotel/pico. She worked in West Coast Hotels Novotel Manila Araneta City hotel manager Maria Garcia

and Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels, and Ramada Hotels when she was still based in the US, where she began her hotel career in the housekeeping department at a hotel in Los Angeles, managed by her mother Grace.

Then she moved to Portland, Oregon, where her career in hospitality started to bloom. She worked in a string of hotels there before deciding to return to the Philippines.

She credits her mother for instilling in her the value of hard work, and inspiring her to be better at what she does. “It was tough for my mother, being an Asian woman in a hotel industry dominated by men. For her to make it on top, it took her more than 25 years for her to land the job of general manager.”

“Seeing my mother brave through the hotel industry dominated by men in a foreign land, challenged and inspired me. If my mom could make it, so could I,” added Garcia.

Garcia said the hotel industry today is becoming more open to gender diversity, encouraging more women to choose a career in hospitality.

Born in the Philippines, Garcia spent her childhood years in the country, finishing a degree in the University of the Philippines before moving to the US to join her mother. After 14 years in the US, she decided to go back to the Philippines to continue her hotel career.

“What drives me to continue what I do is passion, and the idea that I could make a difference by motivating and encouraging more female hoteliers to be successful, and be recognized especially here in our country.” At Novotel Manila, Garcia is a hands-on manager, collaborating with employees, and motivating and supporting them to be the best at what they do.

Part of her job at the hotel is training people. “We always believe in internal growth. We train people because we want them to excel and go up the ladder. For me, the biggest validation of working in a hotel is seeing these people progress in their career because later on, we could say, ‘we were part of that.’”

Garcia’s day at Novotel Manila starts at 7 in the morning, weaving her way around the hotel, with much to cover.

Novotel Manila Araneta City has 401 guestrooms, including a 694-sq.m. Presidential Suite, offering a majestic bird’s eye view of the city. It has five outlets namely Food Exchange Manila, Gourmet Bar, Sabor Divino Wine Bar, 6th Pool Bar and Indulge Gelato; a Monet Grand Ballroom that can accommodate 1,200 guests; one boardroom and seven function rooms. A 2,500 sq.m. Versailles Event Garden and Tent, Balance Spa & Gym, and Novotel Kids Club.

“I treat my work as my second home, and my colleagues are my extended family. This is the culture we started from Day 1 at Novotel Manila.”

For Garcia, getting to this point of her career has become more than a realization of her dream. “At first I just want to make a difference, proving that an Asian lady could make it in the industry. But during the process of being able to achieve my goals, the satisfaction came from knowing that you have made a difference in people’s lives. You are part of their growth.”

“I don’t see myself stopping. My two kids, all grownup, used to tell me when I was not feeling well, "Mom, you need to go to work. I asked, Why?" My kids replied, "You’re not breathing the hotel air."