Name: Noelia C.
Position: Accounting Manager
Hotel: Hotel Arts Barcelona, The Ritz-Carlton
Dream Trip Come True: A college reunion at The Palace Madrid with her BFFs
The first time Noelia walked through the doors of The Palace Madrid, she was a newly hired housekeeping associate, learning the rhythms of hospitality inside a hotel that had already witnessed more than a century of history.
Opened in 1912 by King Alfonso XIII, the landmark property has welcomed writers, filmmakers, and global icons — from Ernest Hemingway to Ava Gardner — all of whom have passed beneath the same glass dome that still defines the space today.
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Fast forward to December 2025, and the picture was very different. Now an Accounting Manager at Hotel Arts Barcelona, part of The Ritz-Carlton brand, Noelia returned to The Palace Madrid as a guest through the Explore Rate by Marriott Bonvoy. There, she reunited with her closest friends for their first trip together in five years.
“Returning as a guest felt like coming full circle, a reminder of how far my journey in hospitality has taken me,” says Noelia. After getting started in housekeeping, she went on to work at six different properties, eventually making her way to the financial department. “Numbers were always my passion,” she says.
Keep reading to learn what made this trip unforgettable, and how Noelia’s hospitality journey led her right back to where it all began.
How did you get started in hospitality?
Working for Marriott was always my dream when I was studying hotel business management. My journey began in Galicia, where I studied hospitality, and went on to work at six different Marriott properties. I’ve had the privilege of working with iconic brands such as EDITION, W Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton and Westin. I started on the operational side in Housekeeping.
How did you make the transition to Accounting?
Numbers were always my passion. After persistent effort and determination, I transitioned into Finance. Today, I lead financial operations, and I owe much of my success to the guidance and support of incredible leaders I’ve met along the way.
What is your favorite trip you’ve taken using the Explore Rate?
In December 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to reunite with my closest friends at The Palace Madrid, a Luxury Collection Hotel. It was our first reunion in five years, following the challenges of COVID, which made it truly memorable.
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”
NOELIA C – ACCOUNTING MANAGER
What made it so special?
My personal connection to the hotel. This was the very hotel where I worked in Housekeeping five years ago, alongside incredible colleagues whom I will never forget. Being able to return to a hotel where I was once so happy, surrounded by the wonderful people I worked alongside, truly felt like coming home.
What was the highlight of the trip?
Also reuniting with another Marriott associate and friend Helena, who works as a Guest Relations Agent at the Palace. She and I first met five years ago at W Ibiza, and our Marriott journeys continued as we worked together at The Palace Madrid and later at The Madrid EDITION.
When Helena returned to work at The Palace and knew I was coming with my friends, she prepared everything for the occasion with the utmost attention to detail. She left a sweet welcome letter for us and very special amenities for my friends. For example, knowing that some of them live abroad and how important Spanish Serrano ham is in our culture, she left a plate of that delicatessen in our room! On top of that, one of them is vegetarian, and she thoughtfully arranged something special for her as well. The attention to detail is what made the difference in this stay.
What does the Explore Rate mean to you?
Being part of a company that offers travel benefits means so much more than a financial perk; it reflects a culture that truly values employee well‑being, growth, and work–life balance. For me, it strengthens my sense of belonging and commitment, knowing that I am part of an organization that supports its people far beyond the workplace.
What’s an unexpected benefit of this perk?
It allows us to discover different ways of working and valuable insights that help us grow personally and professionally. After all, as they say, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
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