Erasmus + Londres at the GOOD HOTEL

 ERASMUS+  LONDONS

Day 1 - 16/04/2025

Hello from London!

Here’s the first entry of my blog.
My first impression of the hotel has been very positive — it’s located right on Victoria Dock, a wonderful spot with views of the River Thames and the financial district skyline.

When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed. The first people I met were the lovely receptionists who looked after me until Rosa, the manager, arrived.
She explained how the hotel operates and placed special emphasis on the social work they do. The hotel is built using blocks that were originally intended for a prison in the Netherlands. Since they weren’t used, they were brought here by the hotel’s Dutch CEO. This gives the building a unique and striking character, which is further enhanced by the beautifully designed interior.

Rosa, the HR manager, told me that the hotel collaborates with the Newham local council on social reintegration programs. They offer training to unemployed individuals: one month of learning followed by a three-month paid internship where they gain hands-on experience. Some of them are even hired afterwards, depending on the hotel’s staffing needs.
In addition, the CEO volunteered in Guatemala, and now 5% of the profit from each room booking is donated to building schools there.

After the tour of the facilities, I headed to the reservations department. There, I spent time with the team learning how bookings are managed — both directly and through travel agencies — as well as the commissions and rate structures they work with.
We also explored the PMS system, Mews, and I got to see how the staff enters bookings into the system.

It’s been a very productive morning — looking forward to more tomorrow!

Day 2 - 17/04/2025

This morning, the sun was shining in London. I had the typical bacon bagel and a good coffee to recharge after a tough day yesterday. With my energy restored, I headed to the hotel and spent the morning at the reception with my colleague Paul. He’s one of the staff members who started with the program at the hotel and has been working there for four years. Honestly, he seems made for reception work. His customer service skills, warmth, emotional intelligence, and ability to handle different situations make him a fantastic receptionist. He’s the one in charge and works hand in hand with the team.

Throughout the morning, I observed the check-ins (it was a busy day due to Easter) and how he coordinated with other departments. I left feeling inspired by his professionalism and grateful for everything I learned.

Later, I went to the city centre—Trafalgar, Leicester, Piccadilly... but none of the photos turned out well without being flooded by crowds. So instead, I’m sharing a picture with Paul :)

Day 3 - 20/04/2025

Hey everyone!

Today I visited the Food & Beverage department, and it was a really interesting experience. I was there to observe how everything works behind the scenes.

In the morning, I watched the team during breakfast. They were very fast and organized. They prepared the buffet, helped the guests, and made sure everything looked perfect. Everyone was friendly and worked really well together.

Before lunch, I joined a short meeting with the restaurant staff. The manager talked about the guests, the menu, and anything special happening that day. It was nice to see how they plan everything in advance.

One of my favorite parts was seeing how the kitchen and the waiters work together. They communicated clearly and helped each other all the time.

This visit helped me understand how much work goes into serving food in a hotel. It’s not just about giving people meals—it’s about giving them a good experience.

After I did some tourism,today was possible to take the picture at Trafalgar Square;)

Day 4 - 21/04/2025

This morning it was a bit grey in London, but I was excited to keep learning at the hotel. After a quick breakfast and a strong coffee, I started the day with Diana, the housekeeping supervisor.

Diana is sharp and clear, 20 years of experience first as housekeeping for so many years. She knows exactly what to check and how to manage her team. We went room by room, using an app to see the status of each one, take notes on things that needed fixing, and make sure everything was ready for the next guests.

I realized that housekeeping isn’t just about cleaning. There are a lot of small but important details, and constant communication with reception and other departments. Even small things—like a missing towel or a mark on a curtain—can become a problem if no one reports it.

Views from the Shard 53 floor!

Day 5 - 22/04/2025

Today was my last day at the hotel, and truth be told, I’m not ready to leave London just yet — I’ve had such an incredible time here. From the very beginning, I’ve felt welcomed, supported, and genuinely appreciated. Every colleague I’ve worked with has been kind, helpful, and eager to share their knowledge. It’s been an enriching experience, both personally and professionally.

This morning, I had the chance to attend one of the hotel’s weekly operational meetings — a real highlight for me. All the department heads gather to coordinate and discuss the week ahead. They go over the full schedule: arrivals, departures, group bookings, VIP guests, special requests, and any operational considerations. One of the most interesting aspects was how much detail goes into planning even small things, like early or late check-ins and check-outs, which directly impact departments like Housekeeping and Kitchen. For instance, if a guest is leaving before breakfast hours, the kitchen prepares takeaway breakfast bags, ensuring every detail of the guest experience is covered.

After the meeting, we all shared lunch in the staff dining room, and I had the chance to thank everyone and say my goodbyes. It was emotional — I felt part of something, even if just for a short time. I’ve learned so much, not only about hotel operations but about teamwork, communication, and the effort behind delivering high-quality service.

To make the most of my final hours in the city, I took a long walk through London. I passed by St. Paul’s Cathedral, crossed the Millennium Bridge, and spent some time at the Tate Modern. The modern art exhibitions were brilliant, and the view from the museum overlooking the Thames and St. Paul’s was breathtaking — the perfect way to close this chapter.

I leave London full of gratitude, inspiration. Until next time.