It is about genuine service, it is about love
Gabriela Dítětová, Hotel General Manager
Text: Martina Hošková, M. Zisso; Photo: Petra Janoušková and Archive
Can you tell us about yourself?
I am originally Czech and grew up in Prague. I had the privilege of experiencing Prague during the 1980s and 1990s, and of being part of the revolution when I was 17 years old. Those were great times in Prague when everything began to change, and we were all very excited about the opportunities we finally had. We could start building our careers, we could travel, and we could feel freedom.
I have had various jobs: I started in a hematological laboratory, which was my field of study; later, I worked as a fitness instructor and manager in a fitness center, and eventually I began my career in hospitality – first in sales and marketing, and later in hotel management. I am the mother of one son and three dogs, and I love sports and travel. I move from country to country, working and living in some of the best luxury hotels, and I try to enjoy every day of my life.
The Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague
What brought you into the world of hoteliers?
I believe it all started very early when I used to visit the Hotel Adria for a Coca-Cola, seeing my grandfather during his shift at the lobby bar. I was a small girl back then, but I already loved the atmosphere of the hotel lobby – the tourists, the different languages, and the overall vibe of the place. My grandfather was very good at languages and would chat with guests, making friends from all over the world. I was always happy to sit on a high chair, listening to conversations I didn’t understand, but which fascinated me.
When you were younger, you were also a model. Why did you change your career?
Hahaha, I was never a successful model! I am from the same generation as Tereza Maxová – we started around the same time. I also know Milada Karasová, who later approached me, and I did some photo shoots with Tono Stano back then. A few times, I was on the runway with models who later became well-known, but that career ended very early for me.
I remember skipping the Elite Model Look competition, which I should have attended, but didn’t – mostly due to my allergies. I never believed my future was there. There were so many beautiful girls, and I didn’t think I could succeed. But it was a great experience, and now, when I have to do a photo shoot for a business magazine, I know how to stand in front of the camera – that helps!
Do you enjoy the lifestyle of a hotel manager?
I love travelling, exploring, and meeting people. This is a perfect job for me. Usually, hoteliers work much more than in standard professions – so you either love it, or you can’t stay in hospitality. We hoteliers don’t really mind; it is our pleasure to serve, and we love what we do. But you also need your family to be understanding of your career.
This is especially true if you decide to move for work, which is perfectly normal for international hoteliers. In that case, you need the support of your partner, who either moves with you or accepts that you become a weekend family. In my case, as a travelling mother, I also needed the support of my parents to help with my son. They spent time with me in different countries, babysitting. It worked for me, but this lifestyle isn’t for everyone.
Your profession takes you around the world. Can you share some of your greatest adventures?
I love East Africa. Looking back, every adventure is different, but looking into the eyes of a wild silverback gorilla in Uganda was probably the most exciting experience. I’ve also been to Alaska, to Brooks Falls, to photograph grizzly bears – you get there by hydroplane. I’ve travelled to Kamchatka, to Kuril Lake, where huge brown bears walk and swim everywhere, and the only way to reach this truly beautiful place is by helicopter. There have been many unforgettable moments, and I am really grateful for all of them. I hope there are still many more to come.
At the Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia
How many countries have you worked in so far?
It’s quite a long list! I have worked in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Russia, Poland, and now Georgia. I am what you might call an Eastern Europe expert.
What do you think is the most difficult part of being a hotel manager?
To manage a hotel means to manage a team – sometimes a very big one. I have 400 employees in my hotel now, and I need all of them to be happy, motivated, and well-trained to provide the best possible genuine service, being truly interested in guests, their needs, and expectations. Every single team member plays a very important role. A happy employee makes for a happy guest. I am a passionate hotelier with a focus on detail, luxury, and perfect service – something that can only be delivered by highly motivated and happy associates. The same applies whether you are in a luxury hotel or a simple lodge in the middle of nowhere – it’s about genuine service; it’s about love.
How do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I travel to remote places for wildlife photography, where I can sleep in a simple tent and have dinners under the stars by an open fire. You can meet me in high designer heels, dressed in a tailor-made suit, walking on the marble floor of a luxury hotel – but you can also find me very dirty, in the middle of the bush with my camera. Such places are disappearing; we don’t give enough space to wildlife. I believe that travelling – when done properly and with respect for wild places and their inhabitants – can be part of the solution for preserving them for future generations. I try to capture the last wild animals and landscapes that still remain on our planet. Besides that, I enjoy sports, my dogs, and horseback riding.
What advice would you give to the next generation of hoteliers?
Start from the bottom, learn the operations, and try as many roles in a hotel as possible. Only then will you understand how such a complex organism as a hotel really functions. Do what you love, and you will succeed. I love what I do, and I believe that brings results. And if you are lucky enough to be surrounded by leaders who support you and believe in your skills, you will grow.
The Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague
Until just a few months ago, you were the General Manager of the Augustine Hotel in Prague. Can you tell us about your achievements there?
The Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is a truly unique property of Marriott International. It is still an active monastery, directly connected to the Church of St. Thomas. You can find history and stories in every corner. We offered our guests exclusive tours of the Augustine library, which houses 27,000 medieval books on religion, medicine, and nature. This hotel is very special and will always stay in my heart as the most beautiful and unique place I have ever worked in. Our cooperation with the Augustinians was wonderful, and together we managed to provide top service in this 800-year-old monastery.
Our work was recognized by the Michelin Guide (one key); we were included in the Travel + Leisure Top 500 List, and rated as a Forbes Four-Star Hotel. We also held a Top 10 position in guest satisfaction among Luxury Collection hotels worldwide for three years.
You are now the General Manager of the Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Tbilisi. What are your plans there?
Tbilisi is an amazing city, and Georgia is a beautiful country. The Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is the first international luxury brand in the country. We want to make Tbilisi more visible on the map for luxury travelers, as well as for explorers who have already seen many places and are still looking for something new, authentic, different, and unique.
Where do you imagine yourself ten years from now?
It could be a luxury safari lodge in Africa, a hotel on a tropical island, or a hotel somewhere in Svalbard – I don’t know. That’s what I love about my job: I could be anywhere in the world. What I do know is that I need to be close to nature, to believe in the product I manage, and to make a difference for the local community – to protect the beauty of a place and share it with our guests.