A Familiar Face: Meet Our Front Office Supervisor

Working at the Columbia reception for many years, Christina Zachariou –whom no doubt many of you will recognise, thanks to her unfailingly warm welcome upon arrival –is our Front Office Supervisor.

Here, she talks to us about her Columbia journey so far, and just why she enjoys her job so much.

When did your professional journey with Columbia begin?
This July will actually mark my eight year anniversary. This was my first –and has been my only –job. I feel very lucky, because I had heard such good things about Columbia, and I certainly haven’t been disappointed. It’s such a nurturing environment, and I feel that I’ve really been encouraged to grow professionally.

So you settled in right away?
Obviously, expectations are high for the delivery of superior service, so it was certainly a little scary at first! But I love challenges, and I enjoy the fact that every day brings something different my way.

What has been your favourite aspect of your job so far?
I think my favourite aspect is in being able to interact with so many different people from different countries. When I was studying, I took part in an Erasmus programme, so it’s always been an interest of mine to be able to get to broaden my mind by getting to know different cultures.

And now you’re Front Office Supervisor.
Yes, and I’m hugely grateful for the opportunity. I don’t take the extra responsibility lightly. I’m conscious of wanting to do well: it’s in my nature to always try my best. It’s a blessing to be in an environment where you’re encouraged to further yourself and push forward in your career. My management team has been hugely supportive; they taught me everything I know. And I’m completing my Master’s in Hotel Management, so I’m excited to have been able to further my education alongside enriching my professional experience.

What has been your most memorable experience over your 8years working here?
There are so many! It all comes down to the personal relationships I get to build with our guests. I’ll never forget, for example, when one couple came up and hugged me at Reception to say ‘thank you’ for having helped them out, or the children who presented me with a bouquet of flowers and handwritten note to thank me for looking after them one afternoon.

Do you feel as though it’s in building these personal relationships that good service is distinguished from superior service?
Definitely. We [the Front Office team] actually love what we do, so it comes naturally to help our guests in any way we can; to deliver hospitality with heart. We’re here for every moment of our guests’ holiday, ready to assist, so we do get to know them on a deeper level. I even have guests who join us every year emailing me in advance to let me know they’ll be arriving. It’s like a family here. Actually, it is my family here