Welcome

New year, new luck!

Challenge, uncertainty and lots of hope! The past year has been a roller coaster of emotions. We are looking forward like crazy to the moment when our doors are allowed to open again. The fact that we are not alone in looking optimistically into the future makes us all the happier. Just in time for the start of the apprenticeship program, we were able to recruit a total of five new team members for our hotel as well as for the sister hotel Empire Riverside Hotel. Among the five young women, four are striving to become hotel managers - and the fifth to graduate in the restaurant business. We are looking forward to accompanying them over the next few years and to being able to tell them one or two secrets of our industry.
Now two exciting introductory days are behind us, even if the circumstances did not allow for all activities. In addition to guided tours of all corners of the two houses, the new trainees were able to get to know our departments digitally to gain a first insight into all the areas that await them. Getting to know each other with the trainee representatives, a shared meal in our Port restaurant and the handing over of the school bags, including an overnight voucher so that they can make up for the experience in the next few months under normal conditions, were also part of the event.

What do our apprentices have to say about it?

But how do the newbies feel about the start of their apprenticeship and what challenges do they see? We asked our trainee Carlotta Rix a few questions about this.

Moin, would you like to introduce yourself briefly to our guests?
"Moin Moin, my name is Carlotta. I am 19 years old and a born and bred Hamburg native."

What kind of apprenticeship are you doing with us and why did you choose our hotels?
"The maritime and the connection to the port have accompanied me for a long time. My grandfather was a seafarer and as a little girl I often went for walks with my family along the harbor and the Elbe River. The house of the Hotel Hafen Hamburg I found very impressive even then and has remained in my memory ever since. When I decided to start an apprenticeship as a hotel manageress, I immediately thought of the hotel. When I had my job interview and was also able to visit the hotel from the inside, the atmosphere appealed to me right away."

Why did you decide to study in the hotel and catering industry despite Corona?
"I'm very optimistic that things will really start up again soon. I didn't want to miss out on that. In the meantime, I thought about doing an apprenticeship as an event manager, but that would have been very difficult at the moment because of Corona. That's why I'm all the more pleased to be able to explore this area during the course of my training."

Did you have any concerns before starting your apprenticeship?
"No, not really. Sure, I knew it was probably going to be a little different not experiencing the hotel in normal operations for a while, but as I mentioned before, I'm very optimistic that things will really get going again soon."

How did you find the introductory days and your first weeks in the apprenticeship?
"The introduction days were very interesting. We each got a hotel tour of both hotels and we were introduced to all the departments again. That definitely made me look forward to the apprenticeship even more. In the first few weeks, I was also warmly welcomed by everyone and from day to day I became more and more aware that I had made the right decision to start my training here."

What is difficult for you in your training because of the current situation?
"I find it somewhat difficult to imagine the hotel in full operation. I also find it particularly exciting to learn to what extent Corona will have an impact on the industry in the future. Will we always have to wear masks in the house in the future, will distance continue to play such a big role in the future, etc.?"

What benefits do you see in your training based on the current situation?
"I've been able to really get to know the staff and the houses at my leisure. Now I have a great overview and look forward when the guests come back and I'm well prepared for them."

What department(s) are you most looking forward to and why?
"I'm most looking forward to the events office and breakfast service. I like being not just there, but in the thick of it. I'm currently missing the hustle and bustle that I think is commonplace in a hotel under normal circumstances."

What are you most looking forward to after Lockdown?
"I can't wait to see the hotel in "action" and make guests happy with the great team."

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
"I can't say for sure now, but definitely in the hotel industry as well. I'm excited to see what else is in store for me."