In our latest employee interview series, we sat down with Kathleen who shares her journey from being a Management Trainee to her new role as Assistant Hotel Manager of the MEININGER Hotel Hamburg City Center!
Keep reading to discover more about how she got into the hospitality industry and the diverse experiences she gained.
Hi Kathleen! Did you always dream of a career in hospitality, or did it happen by chance? What was your dream job growing up?
I’ve always loved exploring the world. As a child, I wanted to be a flight attendant to travel and meet new people. My family traveled a lot, especially to Mexico, where my mother is from. After school, I wasn’t sure what to do. I liked art, but becoming a painter didn’t seem practical. I applied for Communication Design but didn’t get in. Then I discovered International Tourism Management, which opened more doors and the chance to work anywhere in the world. Hospitality wasn’t always my clear path, but MEININGER ended up being the perfect fit!
How did you first hear about MEININGER Hotels, and what attracted you to the Management Trainee Program?
While studying and looking for a job after COVID restrictions eased, I completed an internship from home. I didn’t want to sit alone at home anymore; I wanted to work in “real life.” I knew I wanted to be around people, but I didn’t want to work in a place with a strict uniform. MEININGER’s casual uniform really caught my eye—wearing jeans and a shirt felt comfortable. Honestly, I could even wear the uniform outside of work!
After my studies, I initially wanted to travel, but also wanted to stay at MEININGER Hotels and build a career. I found the Trainee Program on our job portal, and it seemed like the perfect way to grow while exploring new places. А win-win!
Can you give us an insider’s view of the Management Trainee Program? How do you apply, how long does it take, and what kind of experiences does it offer?
My process started with sending a motivation letter and an application to the regional manager of Germany. He invited me to an online interview where I talked about my goals and learned more about the program. The Trainee Program usually lasts 12-18 months, but mine extended to 20 months because the Munich hotel opening was delayed. I worked in six different hotels, including nearly three months at headquarters in Berlin, rotating through departments. I stayed at the beautiful MEININGER Hotel Tiergarten. My favorite part at HQ was Customer Care because I got to connect with guests and stay involved in daily operations.
What’s great about working and living in the hotel is seeing things from a guest’s perspective, which you can directly apply to your job. Each hotel offered something different, balancing shift work and back-office tasks. That balance is essential for gaining hands-on experience while also understanding the bigger picture.
How many locations and departments did you work in during the program?
I started as a Trainee at the MEININGER Hotel Hamburg City Center, then worked at Frankfurt Flughafen, supported the openings of Köln West and Kraków Centrum, and later joined headquarters in Berlin. I also helped with the reopening of our refurbished hotel in München Zentrum before my last stop in Innsbruck.
During the program, you cover all departments: F&B (Food & Beverage), Rooms Division, Leadership, and HQ. You also work at a hotel outside your region, participate in hotel openings, and attend workshops. I was lucky enough to attend workshops in Venice and Berlin, and not every trainee gets to experience two hotel openings AND a refurbishment—lucky me!
Moving between different locations can be challenging— how did you adapt to new places, and how did the teams make you feel welcome?
Each team welcomed me in their own way. They all have their own vibe, and I made sure to ask a lot of questions to understand how each hotel worked. One of the biggest challenges was living in the hotel where I worked. It’s tough to switch off after your shift when you’re still “at work.” For example, if I went to the guest kitchen to cook something and saw reception needed help, I often jumped in. I didn’t want to leave my colleagues in a tough spot, but it made it hard to separate work from personal time. Overall, these experiences taught me a lot about teamwork and how to adapt quickly.
Can you share a fun memory from a team-building event?
For me, it was the pre-opening “Test & Rest” party in Cologne. It was the first time I saw actual guests in the hotel, and it felt so rewarding after all our hard work. We had a drag queen performance, and one of our regional managers even DJed. It was amazing to see my colleagues in a more relaxed and fun atmosphere after working so hard to open the hotel.
You’ve experienced two hotel openings—one in Cologne and one in Krakow. How did your workday differ from that in an established hotel?
In both openings, I wasn’t the only trainee, which was really helpful. We supported each other and shared the workload. In Cologne, the team was very international, and many had prior MEININGER experience. I focused on teambuilding, rooms, and housekeeping. Köln West was my first opening, and I didn’t know what to expect. Every day was different—from counting electrical outlets to cleaning rooms myself before we had a housekeeping team, to planning the “Test & Rest” event.
Krakow was different because most of the team were locals and new to MEININGER. Everyone spoke English, but it felt different when I couldn’t communicate in the local language. I focused on training the team in our PMS (Property Management System) and MEININGER standards.
The biggest difference between openings and established hotels was the absence of guests. I really missed the energy and interaction with guests. The best moment was when the first guest finally arrived—it was such a rewarding experience for the whole team.
What was your biggest challenge, and what tip would you share with other management trainees?
The biggest challenge is adapting quickly to each new location. Your time is limited, so you have to prioritize what’s most important. Learning how to set priorities is key to managing everything effectively.
So… congratulations on your new role as Assistant Hotel Manager at MEININGER Hotel Hamburg City Center! What was your reaction when you found out you got the job?
I couldn’t believe I was finally going back to my beautiful Hamburg. When I started the trainee program, there were no vacancies in Hamburg, and with only one hotel there, the chances seemed slim. It felt like everything came full circle!
How have you been settling into your new role, and what has the team’s response been like?
Since I started as a receptionist in Hamburg before and during my trainee program, I already knew most of the team. They welcomed me back with open arms, and I’ve felt nothing but support and celebration. It’s such a great feeling to have your success recognized by your team.
What aspects of your job bring you the most purpose and fulfillment?
I love the variety in my job. I enjoy the mix of back-office tasks and being hands-on—whether it’s jumping into the kitchen or engaging with guests at reception. I get a lot of joy from helping people, learning from every interaction, and contributing to a positive team environment.
How would you describe MEININGER Hotels’ internal culture?
MEININGER Hotels feels almost like a startup. It’s very international with a young, dynamic team. Everyone gets a chance to be involved and share their ideas, and my opinions are always taken seriously, which makes me feel valued.
After this milestone, what’s your next big dream? Where do you see yourself in the future?
My dream would be to open a new MEININGER Hotel in Hamburg! After being part of so many openings, I’d love to be part of one from start to finish—maybe as an Assistant or even a Hotel Manager… You never know! 😊
Thanks for sharing your insights, Kathleen!
✨ Read more M-Explorers’ stories on the MEININGER Hotels blog or check out our job openings.
