lagniappe
Angelo Zuccala
general manager , Crowne Plaza BuCharest hotel , romania
The majority of Angelo Zuccala ’ s career in hospitality has been with IHG , where he has worked in sales , food and beverage , and managing hotel operations for more than 12 years . Prior to being named general manager at Crowne Plaza Bucharest in Romania earlier in 2015 , Zuccala was executive assistant manager at the nearby InterContinental Bucharest . In his relatively new role as general manager , Zuccala is overseeing the complete refurbishment of Crowne Plaza Bucharest ’ s guestrooms , pool area and fitness center , in addition to an upgrade to the hotel ’ s conference rooms .
What is your hotel pet peeve ? My number one hotel pet peeve is staff not making eye contact with you , not smiling and looking away .
What is your favorite travel item ? My smartphone . It is my gateway to the destination . There are tons of apps nowadays that make your life as a tourist much easier than before .
Why did you choose to work in hotels ? The hotel industry provides an opportunity to create and deliver absolutely memorable experiences and unique moments for the guests . This is what makes hospitality , in general , such an interesting field , one you can never get enough of .
If you weren ’ t a hotelier , what would you be ? I find it really hard to imagine not working in hospitality , but I might have tried to become a professional golfer .
Who inspires you in the industry ? One of my hospitality mentors taught me to surround myself with the best in order to be the best . People driven by passion and constantly perfecting their skills are , to me , the best sources of inspiration and energy .
What is your favorite spot in Bucharest ? Mogoșoaia Palace and its surroundings . The palace was built by Constantin Brancoveanu in a Renaissance style and dates back to the beginning of the 18th century . It is a very peaceful and romantic place that my family and I find beautiful in every season .
64 HOTELS March December 20142015 www www . . hotelsmag . com. com