LAGNIAPPE
CINDY
RACCO
GENERAL MANAGER , FOUR SEASONS RESORT RANCHO ENCANTADO SANTA FE , NEW MEXICO
She has worked at Four Seasons properties for some 15 years in locations ranging from Philadelphia to Santa Barbara , California , but when Cindy Racco took over the general manager position at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe , it felt like coming home . When the native of San Antonio , Texas , isn ’ t busy connecting with both her staff at the 65-room property as well as the local community , she enjoys the area ’ s natural beauty during 6-mi ( 9.7-km ) runs five days a week .
What is your hotel pet peeve ? Inconsistency in service .
What is the best idea you have ever stolen ? A cocktail cart to make drinks at the pool right beside your chaise lounge .
What is one thing most people don ’ t know about you ? I ’ m afraid of heights , but I ’ ve swam with sharks . Go figure .
What would you like to have more time for ? I love to cook elaborate meals , but rarely have the time .
What is currently on your nightstand ? InStyle magazine , water , my iPhone and the TV remote .
What was your most embarrassing moment on the job ? I forgot about coming in early for our overnight breakfast , and my GM came by my office and tossed a half-eaten croissant on my desk .
What celebrity would you most like to meet and why ? I would love to meet Chelsea Handler . I like her humor and quick wit .
If you were not a hotelier , what would you be ? A pediatric surgeon .
Who are the most admired people in your life ? My father , for giving me the drive to work smart and set goals , and my mother , for teaching me to not take myself too seriously .
Who taught you your biggest lesson ? My partner . She taught me so many big lessons it ’ s hard to choose just one . My son taught me that my iPhone was not part of my body .
What is your favorite hotel ( other than your own )? Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara [ where I worked as resort manager ]. It ’ s such a magical place with beautiful vistas ... I felt when I returned to work from vacation , I was still on vacation .
What was your best hotel experience ? This little B & B in Florence , Italy . It was not affiliated with the hotel company I worked for , so it felt nice to be on vacation and not be noticed by colleagues or past employees . I was able to really let my hair down .
96 HOTELS November 2013 www . hotelsmag . com