Day in the Life of Carissa Sanchez, Assistant Housekeeping Manager

I usually wake up around 10 AM, carefully rolling out of bed so I don’t disturb my cats. Since I work evening shifts, my days tend to start a bit later. First things first: a quick scroll through social media and a check-in with my boyfriend to see how his day is going. Then, like any other morning, I whip up breakfast for my sister. I then prepare myself for a new menu tasting with our management team at the hotel’s restaurant, The Wild Hare. Once everything’s set, I get ready for my commute on my electric scooter.

My commute usually takes about 30 minutes. I zip through the streets of Chula Vista on my scooter, then catch the trolley all the way to downtown San Diego. Music is my go-to for setting the vibe—it’s a nice way to relax and get in the zone before reaching the station. When I get to the hotel before 2 PM, I make my way to the garage elevator, saying hi to the friendly faces at the bell stand and front desk as I go. Once my scooter is safely locked up, I’m ready to dive into the day.

I always enjoy the walk to the office, passing by guests sipping drinks and savoring our delicious dishes, with the staff warmly greeting me along the way. Once inside, I check in with my manager, Holman Campos, and remind him about our new menu tasting at 2 PM. We’re then joined by our vibrant Director of Rooms, Carrie Anderson, our newest Front Desk Manager, Trevor Kaufman, Director of Engineering Khal Wedderburn, and recently promoted Head of Maintenance Engineering Abel Moreno. Sampling new menu items and chatting with fellow managers about hotel updates is truly rewarding—it’s exciting to keep our hotel fresh, modern, and welcoming for every guest.

After enjoying a delicious lunch, I make my way to the back area to grab my keys and check in on how our amazing ladies are doing. Next, I head upstairs to conduct room inspections, making sure everything is perfectly prepared before the standard 4 PM check-in time. While walking the floors, my top priority is ensuring each room meets Hilton’s high standards, including staying on track with ongoing projects and deep cleaning schedules. On this particular day, I bumped into Josefina Calderon in the elevator—her warm smile always brightens my day. Once I’ve completed all my inspections, I head back to the office, ready for the next part of the day.

 

Around 4:30 PM, our hardworking room attendants begin wrapping up their shifts, turning in their paperwork and devices. I always make it a point to greet each of them with a warm hello and a heartfelt goodbye—acknowledging the important role they play in keeping our hotel running smoothly. After they’ve left, I dive into uploading reports, catching up on emails, updating data, and preparing for the next day. Ensuring we have enough staff scheduled and that all information is accurate and up to date is key to keeping everything running seamlessly.

Once everything is in place, I double-check that all devices are charging and that keys are securely stored. Then, I head out to the public areas to make sure the hotel is spotless and welcoming for our guests. Having started my hospitality journey as a Front Desk Agent, I’ve built a solid foundation in guest service and operations. It’s always a special moment when I pass by the front desk during my rounds—a place that holds the memories of where it all began for me.

 

 

Once everything on my list is wrapped up, I always check in with my evening team to see if they need any extra help or if there are any last-minute tasks to tackle. Today, we had to clean a room because of a guest upgrade—a perfect opportunity for me to jump in! I love teaming up with our room attendants and learning more about the details that go into making each space spotless and welcoming. It’s those little moments that deepen my appreciation for the hard work behind the scenes.

Wrapping up my day usually includes a bit of light tidying around the office and taking a moment to say goodbye to the night staff. Every day at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter brings something new—different challenges and great opportunities to learn and grow. It’s this dynamic environment that keeps me excited and motivated to give my best.