A career in hospitality can take you to almost every corner of our wonderful planet, presenting you with once in a lifetime opportunities. Class of 2006 Bachelor’s alumnus Paolo Marroni chose to head into hotels for his adventure, and took his first step after high school in his native Italy.

“I have a curiosity and a passion for travel that has been nurtured since the youngest age through family trips to different regions of the world,” Paolo says. “When I was about to finish high school I was looking for an institution able to introduce me to the hospitality career path I have always dreamed of. Glion had the perfect combination of a prestigious Swiss hospitality school reputation and program content grounded in a business application.”

Becoming a hospitality professional

Paolo enrolled on our Bachelor’s degree, taking two internships at the Ritz-Carlton in Barcelona and the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Following graduation in 2006, he headed back to his native Italy and the front office of Four Seasons Milan, where he would spend the next three years building experience and developing his skills.

A move to London and Hyatt followed, where within just 12 months Paolo went from Teamleader Front Office to Assistant Front Office Manager. It was success driven by his love for leaving a lasting impression. “A passionate professional will always deliver a meaningful hospitality experience, regardless of the location or star rating. However, when you operate in the luxury segment, you must be able to emphasize every detail. You know you have done a great job when a bigger proportion of your business comes from repeating guests.”

A step up with Starwood

In July 2012, on the eve of the London Olympics, Paolo left the UK capital for his next big career challenge, becoming Front Office Manager with Starwood in Milan. Paolo would spend the next five years in this role, latterly for Baglioni Hotels and Resorts, where he was promoted to Rooms Division Manager, increasing the hotel’s Booking.com score from 8.7 to 9.1 in a single year and recruiting a workforce of 35 associates across five departments.

A move to Starhotels followed and promotion to Hotel Manager, overseeing the property throughout the pandemic, opening a luxury apartments development, and even winning a Where Magazine award for fully operating hospitality services throughout the pandemic. Then, at the beginning of 2022, The Big Apple called.

“I knew I was ready and jumped on the opportunity”

“In February 2022 I received a message from the Casa Cipriani Managing Director asking if I would consider an opportunity in New York City to help them carry out their new project. I knew I was ready and jumped on the opportunity to become Hotel Manager. Casa Cipriani New York embodies a concept that combines a private club atmosphere with luxurious guest rooms and suites, along with extended spa facilities and breath-taking event spaces.”

The perfect preparation for leadership

A mere 16 years into his career, Paolo has achieved a great deal and cemented his reputation as a leader within hospitality. Looking back to his time at Glion, he was clear on how his experiential education prepared him for success.

“Mostly the internships helped me have a clear understanding of what I wanted to do; those are the first steps, challenging and rewarding at the same time. The classes provided a thorough overview of the industry, a work-related approach to technology and an understanding of the financials.

“The Glion experience overall is perfect to prepare an individual to approach a career diversified in tasks and activities, where you need to be prepared for change, take on risks and relate to many different cultures. Looking back, it was one of the richest and happiest moments in my younger life. Now, the Glion Alumni network creates a sense of belonging and is a great tool for career development.”

“… a paradise for individuals seeking a continuous learning path”

So, from feeling a passion for the industry as a young adult, to transforming it into a profession and excelling as a leader around the world, would Paolo recommend a career in hospitality?

“Hospitality is a dynamic industry that allows you to develop personally and professionally. No two days are the same. The rainbow of activities, along with the possibility to interact with so many different people and cultures, makes it a paradise for individuals seeking a continuous learning path.”

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