Name: Giuseppe de M.
Position: General Manager
Hotel: The St. Regis Rome
Growing up in Sorrento, one of the most sought-after destinations on the Amalfi coast, young Giuseppe got to make friends with people from all over the globe who visited his beautiful hometown over the summer and found his calling.
“I had friends from the UK, the US, Asia… they had beautiful houses and amazing swimming pools,” he recalls. “I was always fascinated to learn about different cultures and people. So, I asked myself: what job would allow me to keep doing this? And I decided to join the industry and attend a hotel management school.”
And he was spot on.
Today, Giuseppe is the General Manager at The St. Regis Rome, a 131-year-old iconic institution in the eternal city. Located in one of the city’s most impressive palazzos, the 5-star hotel is a source of pride for Romans and a destination on its own.
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Understandably, Giuseppe couldn’t be prouder of his adoptive town. “I’m blessed to work in a city like Rome, where we are surrounded by beauty. I live not far from Villa Borghese, a beautiful park with 200–300-year-old trees, and I have an amazing view over the Vatican.”
Hospitality has given Giuseppe so much that he doesn’t hesitate to recommend this career path to people early in their careers, like to his friends’ children when they’re trying to decide what to study. “I tell them, join hospitality, even for six months as an intern, it shapes you as a person. And it allows you to meet and interact with people from all over the world.”
Read on to hear Giuseppe’s perspectives on the opportunities at Marriott and the standout moments in his own career.
After all these years, what keeps you motivated?
I’m passionate about my job and about the hotel. The St. Regis Rome has an impressive legacy and history, and I want to contribute to elevate its positioning driven by this passion.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Involving the whole team, not only heads of department or the executive team. Every single individual in my team must feel part of the change. We must always move forward and innovate, and I try to lead by example.
What does that look like in practice?
I spend a lot of my time in the lobby, welcoming guests personally at breakfast, sitting with them, getting to know them. And the rest of the team embraces this way of doing hospitality. We do it genuinely, with generosity.
Can you share an example of empowerment in real life?
If we see our guests coming back from a day in the city with bags of Acqua di Parma [a beloved and legendary Italian luxury beauty brand], we leave a nice box with the brand’s Eau de Parfum in their room. If it’s the birthday of a guest’s companion, the chef asks the pastry chef to prepare a birthday cake in advance, and the butler brings a present to celebrate with the guests. That’s the biggest joy of my job, seeing our staff feeling empowered and inspired to do things like that.
What has been a particular project that stands out in your career?
I’ve had the fortune and the privilege to chair the Business Council for East Italy, where we had more than 30 managed and franchised hotels. My role was to lead the hotels in social responsibility, inclusivity and sustainability and that has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. To see many of my General Managers taking so many initiatives to help less fortunate people—we worked with the Red Cross helping people who had lost their jobs, women facing violence, and people without housing—I was amazed and impressed by their generosity. Even small hotels took major initiatives because they felt a responsibility not just to our guests, but to the local communities where we operate. From little things to major projects, they really contributed to support and help many people feel less abandoned.
What would you say to someone who is considering joining Marriott?
To be part of Marriott is an amazing opportunity for younger talents, but also for seasoned professionals. We have more than 9,000 hotels throughout the world and over 30 brands! It’s a company where people are valued, respected, and supported—regardless of age, nationality, or culture. Each one of us has our own personal dream, and at Marriott, you can find the way to realize it.
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