with Astrid Schuurman
Who are the faces behind Lumen Hotel & Events? And what is it really like to work at Lumen? In the section "Colleague in the Spotlight" we put our employees in the spotlight! This time: Astrid Schuurman, Hotel Manager at Lumen.
When and how did you realize you wanted to work in a hotel?
''The hospitality industry appealed to me at an early age. At thirteen, I got a part-time job in the snack bar, service, and kitchen of a campsite. I was already able to apply my hospitality skills there. My interest was mainly in food & beverage at that time.''
Can you tell us more about your background (what did you study, how long have you been at Lumen, etc.)
''I started with MBO Facility Services at Landstede in Zwolle. At that time, Lumen did not yet exist. During this course, I had various internships, but food & beverage and the event part appealed to me the most. After this study, I followed the HBO Hotel and Event Management course at Tio University in Hengelo. After several internships, I was pleasantly surprised by the Front Office position and everything that comes with running a hotel.
I have now been working at Lumen for 12.5 years! A beautiful milestone that we celebrated last year. I was surprised with a big cake together with my colleague Wendy, which we enjoyed with all the colleagues. I witnessed the start of the hotel and from 2011 until now I have gained fantastic experiences within the company. I have met many people, from guests to staff/colleagues.''
What do you like to do in your free time?
"Like many of us, my schedule is also quite full! Besides my job, I am busy with our son Luca (3) and daughter Loïs (9 months). I also play volleyball twice a week (competition) and am on the technical committee of the volleyball club. Furthermore, I love my social life. I enjoy going out, dining, going to the terrace, or spending an evening at the pub. I also love a festival!"
When are you satisfied with your work? What gives you energy and satisfaction?
"I get a lot of energy from staff who go to work with great pleasure and leave with a satisfied feeling. Very cliché, but I am also very satisfied when our guests are, for example, when the rooms are completely in order and to their liking. I also get a satisfied feeling when I meet my budget, of course."
What makes it fun for you to work at Lumen?
"The atmosphere within this company is always good! Everyone can and may be themselves and no workday is the same."
In which hotel would you like to stay overnight and why?
"I have always said that I want to stay overnight at Burj Al Arab, an incredibly luxurious hotel on the coast in Dubai. A hotel where the staff actually does everything for you. The high price, €2000 for one night, makes it a bit less attractive."
When you book a hotel yourself, what do you pay attention to?
"First of all, I always book directly with the hotel in question, this saves the hotel commission. During the booking, I pay attention to friendliness and alertness. Furthermore, I find it very important how the hotel looks and whether the location appeals to me. And I am the one who reads the fine print, such as parking facilities at the hotel and the tourist tax."
What achieved result or performance at Lumen are you proud of?
"There have been many great results achieved regarding average room rates, occupancy, and revenue, then you think: 'We have arranged this well together!' This also applies when colleagues call in sick last minute. It is sometimes a puzzle to solve this, but we always manage to help our guests and process all reservations. I also remain very proud of the product and service we offer. In the past, I have also regularly helped with large events together with all the staff, and that was amazing!"
What is your biggest blunder at Lumen?
"I once made a big blunder, which I am still ashamed of. Every now and then, the pipes are flushed from rooms that are not used for a while. This prevents legionella from developing in the pipes. I had dutifully opened the taps, but did not turn them off afterward…"
What would you like to further develop yourself in?
"We are currently still busy transitioning to a new PMS system, in which hotel reservations are made. Many ICT terms come up in this process, such as sockets, SPF records, details about interfaces, servers, etc. Automation is the future, so it might be good to further develop myself in this area."
What advice would you give to someone considering working in a hotel / in hospitality?
''Do it! Many employees have left Lumen, who later regretted it and wanted to come back. The atmosphere in hospitality remains unique! A special place to work."
Looking for a comfortable stay?
Astrid and her colleagues are happy to help you
Lumen Hotel & Events is open 7 days a week.
Come enjoy a pleasant stay in one of our hotel rooms.