“Welcome to paradise. We are here to serve you,” is how Guillermo Baudino greets guests, with his trademark smile, at the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. Hospitality comes naturally to Guillermo – he cares deeply for his colleagues and finds joy in being of service to guests as he consistently looks for ways to improve their experiences.

Guillermo emigrated from Argentina in 1984 and began his hospitality career in California as a houseman at the Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills. Determined to broaden his knowledge, he took English classes and sought out training opportunities, leading to promotions at various hotels in the Marriott portfolio.

As Director of Housekeeping at the Courtyard Anaheim, Guillermo leads by example and holds the housekeeping team to the same high standards he sets for himself. He never asks his team to do a job he hasn't done. He advocated for electric-motorized carts, led by two-person teams, to reduce fatigue and maximize productivity. He introduced all-natural cleaning products, promoting a more sustainable environment. The team has earned excellent room cleanliness scores that are well above the brand average.

Guillermo takes great pride in ensuring guests have the best experience possible. He once noticed that the bed quality scores, which had been above average, started to drop. The mattresses were supposed to last for years, so he and his team tested every bed, took photos, and measured how much each mattress sagged. When Guillermo reached out to the manufacturer with their findings, they replaced all the defective mattresses at no cost to the hotel. Since then, the bed quality scores have bounced back to above average, and guests are once again enjoying a comfortable night's sleep.

Keeping associates motivated is also important to Guillermo. He plans contests and incentives for guest room inspections, giving team members a sense of accomplishment while working for the greater good of the hotel and guests. He participates in all the hotel’s volunteer activities, recently donning an apron to serve guests at the Root Beer Float Day activation benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Guillermo’s passion for creating a welcoming and warm atmosphere makes him a unique and invaluable asset to the Marriott family.