‘Love What You Do, and You Will Feel Fulfilled’: Career Advice from a Grand Cayman Room Attendant

Name: Nadine C.
Position: Room Attendant
Hotel: Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
Dream destination: Paris to see the Eiffel Tower
Drink or treat of choice: Grapenut Ice cream. I love the grainy texture, along with the nuts that give a very tropical taste that just blows away my tastebuds.

As Leonardo da Vinci once said, details make perfection, and that is how Nadine approaches her job as a Room Attendant at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort in the Cayman Islands. Going above and beyond to make sure guests feel welcome and truly taken care of at this picturesque resort is her signature — and her efforts don’t go unnoticed.

Nadine thinks “caring” is the word that best represents her and the notes that she receives from her guests on a regular basis are a testament to that. Recently, after spending their holidays at the resort, a guest and Marriott Bonvoy member wrote such a heartfelt note about Nadine’s service that it caught the attention of Peggy Roe, Marriott’s EVP + Chief Customer Officer who took to LinkedIn to share the message.

→ Search Open Housekeeping & Laundry Positions at Marriott

“She delivered above and beyond the expected standard of cleanliness. Our room was always immaculate because Nadine made sure of this by going the extra mile to make everything shine and sparkle,” read the note. “It is very obvious that this resort hotel’s team works together to make the hotel shine-literally so guests can have the best possible experience.”

Born and raised in Portmore, Jamaica, Nadine is the mother of three children who she says inspire her every day. Outside of work she finds joy also in little details, like cooking a delicious pot of red bean stew with boiled dumplings.

“The smell this pot gives to my home makes me happy and relaxed. [I love it] when I have eaten a pot that was made with love,” says Nadine, who worked at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and The Courtyard Kingston, Jamaica, prior to joining her current hotel.

Below, learn more about Nadine’s Marriott experience and how she finds inspiration to be a rockstar at what she does.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Receiving the reassurance that my guests feel welcomed and comfortable throughout their stay.

What inspires or motivates you at work?

Personally, the General Manager at my hotel inspires me daily. To see that he started at the junior level and was given the opportunity to grow, motivates me to continue working hard on good days and bad as I believe in growth, and I am working towards moving up the ladder.

marriott room attendant Nadine story
Courtesy of Nadine C.

How do you feel supported at your hotel or in your role?

I am supported by my Director of the Housekeeping Department and the HR office, as they always anticipate my needs and find solutions for what I need. The Director of the Housekeeping Department is a very understanding person. He is non-judgmental, and always provides support at any given time. He always takes in suggestions to improve the hotel and mostly the operation of the housekeeping department. When I speak to him about the need for improvements in certain areas, he comes up with a plan to make it happen. Secondly, the HR team at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort. They are always available to listen to my needs and concerns and they always find a way to make my requests happen. I believe this is the true definition of support. In good times and bad.

You’re always there for your team and guests, when is a moment when you felt the company was there for you?

I felt like being a part of Marriott with the passing of my mom back in 2021. The compassion was overwhelming. The Courtyard Marriott team stepped in and really took the time to understand how I was feeling, and their compassion really meant a lot to me as I was going through an extremely overwhelming period of my life.

How was meeting Peggy Roe and David Marriott and receiving recognition from them?

Blissful! The first word I can think of when remembering the meeting up. I was lost for words, and it made me so emotional that I started to cry when they called my name at the elevator. Walking through the crowd with Ms. Roe and Mr. Marriott and everyone cheering us on made me feel appreciated and truly recognized. At that moment I felt like all my hard work paid off.

marriott room attendant Nadine story
Courtesy of Nadine C.

Looking back, what has been the proudest moment of your career so far?

The proudest moment of my career was winning the first quarter after eight months at the Grand Cayman Marriott. Also, meeting Ms. Roe and Mr. David Marriott and receiving wonderful and inspiring notes from my guests regularly.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to have a job like yours?

My advice to someone who wants to be a part of the Marriott team would be to apply and, if granted the opportunity, I would tell them to do their best every day in every situation, to love what they do and they will feel fulfilled.

→ Marriott Is Hiring! Find What You’re Looking For in a Career