Cecile Pastore
Director of Guest Experiences
Four Seasons Tenure
- Since 2010
- First Four Seasons Assignment: Conference Services Manager, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Employment History
- Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile in France; Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris
Education
- BTEC Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Sales & Catering at Hospitality & Tourism Industry Alexandre Dumas school, Strasbourg, France
Birthplace
- Strasbourg, France
Languages Spoken
- French, English
As an eight-year-old child, Cecile Pastore preferred to engage with guests at her family-owned restaurant than watch TV at home. This turned into a hobby during her vacation as she served as a waitress. “My fascination for hospitality turned into passion as I earned a degree in the same field,” she recalls.
It was all but natural for her to take on the position of Conference Services Manager at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, in 2010. “Four Seasons George V is the best school you can have. It helped me grow,” says Cecile, who was nominated Best Catering Manager for the EMEA Region soon after. As she progressed through her career as the Assistant Spa Director, she decided to return to her hometown, Strasbourg, where she became the mother of her beautiful son. She was offered the position of front of house director and was soon promoted to guest experience director, managing a team of 25 at Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile. Cecile is synonymous with diligence and dedication. “I blame it on the pressure due to high occupancy in business hotels,” she laughs. “On a serious note, I have to thank my mentors for this.”
Leading a team is fraught with opportunities and Cecile takes them in her stride, “The skill lies in listening carefully.” Be it a team member or a guest, every feedback needs to be heard fully, understood thoroughly and dealt with empathy, she adds, “Surprise and delight are the cornerstones of a memorable guest experience.” The secret, she says, lies in treating others the way you want to be treated. “The Golden Rule is always respected. In this family, you are always valued and encouraged,” she affirms.
From one of the commercial centres of the world, Cecile joins a small, but vibrant island. “I fell in love with Mauritius when I came here on a vacation with my 8-year-old son last year,” she remarks. As Director of Guest Experiences, Cecile explores the lush green landscape, experiences the local culture, and creates new relationships with the locals and tourists alike. “I am looking forward to improving the customer experience metric at every place I work in,” she says, knowing it involves a lot of hard work. A word of advice for those aspiring professionals in her field? “Never give up!”
