Day in the Life of Dalila Pineda

Dalila Pineda, Executive Housekeeping Manager

As long as I’ve completed my sacred eight hours of sleep, I wake up at 6:30 AM feeling fully recharged and eager to start the day. My morning ritual begins with opening every curtain in the house to let the sunrise fill my space with light and energy.

Juice in hand, I begin my 45-minute commute to my home away from home, The Nobu Eden Roc. While Miami traffic has a personality of its own, I do my best to maintain a positive mindset and set the tone for a productive day.

Upon arriving through the garage entrance, I’m greeted by familiar smiles from colleagues I’ve worked with for the past four years. Inside the housekeeping office, we kick off the morning with laughter and light conversation before shifting focus to the busy Fourth of July weekend.

Our hotel manager, Melissa, makes it a point to stop by daily to check in. Both the Eden Roc and Nobu teams reassure her that we’re ready for the holiday rush and begin our morning preparations. At 8:30 AM, we hold our housekeeping lineup to review VIPs, service notes, and service standards. I open the floor for any feedback ensuring everyone feels heard and after, we perform what I believe is one of the most underrated steps to a successful shift, a group stretch. With a focus on our backs (especially helpful on heavy arrival days), the team stretches together, preparing both mentally and physically for the day ahead.

Afterward, I meet with our AM supervisors: Erline, with 12 years at the property, who is known for the trust she’s built within her team; Cariberth, a former room attendant, now shines as a driven and resourceful leader; and Diana, a compassionate and reliable leader, recognized for her consistent support and commitment to her team. Together, they truly demonstrate the spirit of collaboration that keeps everything running smoothly.

Next, I join the morning leadership meeting, something I genuinely look forward to each morning. Our General Manager Nikolay knows how to keep things light while keeping us focused and always wrapping up with a laugh. Today’s focus was on preparations for the Fourth of July BBQ. As always in hospitality, we adapt to every challenge. In this case, it was Miami’s unpredictable hurricane season weather.

After the meeting, I stop by the front desk to connect with the team I’ll be working alongside for the day and, hopefully, to create a meaningful moment with an arriving guest. This space holds a special place in my heart as it is where my journey into leadership first began. Each visit brings a wave of nostalgia and reminds me exactly why I fell in love with this industry.

Throughout the day, I actively monitor the status of the rooms to ensure we remain on track for our 4:00 PM check-in goal. Around 2:00 PM, I head up to the guest floors to conduct a few surprise inspections, an opportunity to both uphold our quality standards and recognize team members who have gone above and beyond in their service.

By 4:05 PM, all arrival rooms are ready, the remainder of the house is cleaned, and our attention shifts to the Turndown service. As a five-star property, we take great pride in delivering an exceptional and personalized evening experience. Whether it’s placing extra towels for a family or leaving lens wipes by a guest’s sunglasses, the team goes the extra mile to add thoughtful touches.

Around 6 I begin wrapping up my day by checking emails, confirming follow ups, and putting together a clear plan for tomorrow. Being prepared makes all the difference.

Finally, I make my favorite and final stop of the day: the engineering office. I’m greeted by a high-spirited team, and together we review scheduled room renovations and upcoming touch-up projects. Their partnership plays a vital role in upholding the high standards of our property, making it a rewarding way to close out the day.

While no two days are alike in hospitality, it’s the familiar faces, meaningful connections, and shared purpose that make the work truly fulfilling and turn the workplace into a second home.