Name: Donald W.
Position: Student Front Office Associate
Hotel: Sapphire House Antwerp, Autograph Collection
It all started with a boat ride in Fiji. As Donald skimmed across the Pacific on a tiny fisher boat, he couldn’t take his eyes off the towering luxury resorts peppered around the coast in these remote islands.
“I couldn’t help but marvel at the massive resorts in the middle of the Pacific. I was amazed by how these luxury hotels functioned in such an isolated location,” Donald says.
That moment of wonder sparked a journey that would take him across continents—and straight into a career in hospitality.
After his sailing trip to Fiji, Donald backpacked through Australia, staying in hostels and hotels where his sense of curiosity peaked. In each stop he kept asking the staff questions about their day to day and how hotels actually work. Then came the bold move: when he arrived in Sydney, Donald went straight into the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park and knew that was it. Just four hours after landing in the city and armed with zero hesitation, he went ahead and asked for a job on the spot. “With nothing except a very positive attitude,” he says, he landed an interview, and a job offer the same day.
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Fast forward to today, Donald is a student Front Office Associate at Marriott’s Sapphire House Antwerp, Autograph Collection where he welcomes guests, manages check-ins and reservations, and occasionally lends a hand in the Food and Beverage department working as a waiter.
Now, at Sapphire House, Donald brings that same spirit of curiosity and courage to every guest interaction and everyday tasks. Keep reading to learn how he’s making the most of his Marriott experience, in his own words below.
Tell us more about your Marriott career journey before becoming a Front Office Associate in Antwerp?
My Marriott career began at Sheraton Grand Hyde Park where I started as a Bellboy and then assisted the Concierge. After this experience, I enrolled at the Hotel Management School Maastricht and started working weekends at the Autograph Collection Antwerp. There, I served as a Front Office Agent and assisted in the F&B department. I then completed a six-month internship at Lisbon Marriott Hotel in the Front Office. During this internship, I learned a lot about hotel operations and took part in weekly cross-training in the finance department.
Speaking of cross training, intern candidates often want to try it out and not be limited to one department. How did you manage to do this?
Yeah, that is one of the best things about interning at Marriott! The opportunity to be exposed to different departments. But it all starts with you! If you’re an intern wanting to explore beyond your assigned role, my biggest advice is ask, be curious, and show interest. I made it clear from the start that I wanted to cross-train, and my managers were very supportive. The key is to be open, adaptable, and engaged. Don’t wait for opportunities, create them!
“Be open, adaptable, and engaged. Don’t wait for opportunities, create them!”
Donald W.
What did your internship program look like?
My internship program at Marriott Lisbon lasted six months and was an incredible learning experience. As a Front Office Intern, I was fully immersed in daily operations, and when I did the weekly cross-training in the Finance Department, I learned so much about the hotel’s financial operations. Another highlight was that the hotel provided Portuguese language classes, which allowed me to improve my communication skills and connect even more with guests and colleagues. Oh, and the staff meals were amazing! Every day we had access to long buffet spreads with delicious food.
Sounds like you had an amazing time! And how did you navigate the cultural nuances as an intern living in a different country?
Leaving the city and country I grew up was both exciting and challenging, but Marriott made the transition incredibly smooth providing me with a strong support system to help me feel at home. From day one, I felt welcomed through onboarding programs, team-building activities, and group dinners. Another key aspect was housing support! Marriott really makes sure interns are not left to figure things out alone.
What advice would you give to interns, especially those with limited or no work experience?
First, when picking which hotel to work at, Marriott has a brand for every type of guest, which means there’s also a brand that will fit your personality and career goals. Whether you’re passionate about luxury, lifestyle, or extended-stay hotels, there’s a place for you. My main advice would be:
- Once you start, never be afraid. At Marriott, mistakes are part of the learning process, and instead of just correcting them for you, the team will help you understand why it was wrong, so you grow from the experience. It’s like having an extra family guiding you through your journey.
- Say yes to opportunities! Get involved in cross-training, ask questions, and step outside of your comfort zone. The more curious and engaged you are, the more you’ll learn.
- Don’t forget to enjoy the journey!
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