Equality is one of the pillars of Hibiscus Hotels’ corporate philosophy, which we fight for every day.
Today we are introducing 8 female colleagues who, together with the entire team, are an important part of our Hibiscus family.
Our appreciation goes to them and their colleagues – thanks to you, all this is possible because together we are stronger.

Happy World Women’s Day!

Andrea knows Lava Beach like the back of her hand where she has been a chamber maid for 5 years, practically since the opening, offering our customers luxury in every detail. She is an example of a hard worker and good colleague, which we gladly can introduce you to today.

How did you come to this company?

Through the local newspaper ‘Diario de Lanzarote’, in which they talked about the opening of the Hotel Lava Beach.

What do you like most about your job?

My team. We all work together and there is a lot of companionship.

Do you have any challenges to meet?

To develop professionally and personally.

What advances do you think have been most important in the fight for equality?

I think that as a society we have made a lot of progress, especially in education and in the labour market, now both men and women are represented in all jobs.

What proposals do you think would improve the current situation?

I think it is currently important to educate the new generation on the basis of equality, to avoid prejudices as a society and to spread the idea that we are all capable of doing any job.

Do you consider that work-life balance is a reality?

Yes, more and more companies are flexible and empathetic towards their employees.

Is there a woman you admire or who inspires you?

My Mum.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

My advice is not to let other people define you. The base is to know yourself well in order to strive for your goals.

Diana arrived 11 months ago from Mexico to learn the beautiful art of cooking with the Lava Beach team. A hard-working woman, constantly learning, who fights for her dreams, and aspires to continue advancing in this profession.

How did you come to this company?

Through the University of Mexico, I applied for an internship in gastronomy and that’s how I came to Lava Beach.

What do you like most about your job?

Learning about the different areas of the kitchen, being able to rotate and keep growing in my job.

What challenge would you like to achieve?

To get better at my job and gain more experience every day.

What advances do you think have been most important in the fight for equality?

The way in which women can develop in any field of work nowadays, regardless of gender.

Any woman you admire or who inspires you?

My Mum, Glicelda. She always inspires me to improve and move forward, to make difficult decisions and to stand for it.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

My advice is to keep fighting for your dreams, even if the process is hard and to believe in yourself.

We would like to introduce you to Rose, waitress of the Pool Bar and Restaurant at Hotel Las Costas. She arrived 17 years ago, and thanks to her work, commitment and friendliness she is still with us, being an important part of our hotel, who has earned the affection of all her colleagues and customers, always with a smile. 

How did you come to this company?

I joined this company 17 years ago, and little by little, I found my place in it.

What do you like most about your job?

I like dealing with guests and offering them a good service. Many guests are like family, as they have been coming to Las Costas for years, and their affection is fundamental for my day to day life.

I also love the working atmosphere, my colleagues are an important part of the reason why I love my job.

Do you have any challenges to meet?

My challenge is to continue to advance in my work and to offer my family a good future.

What do you think have been the most important advances in the fight for equality?

I think that today many men and women share similar jobs and conditions, as is the case in this company, but there are still many places where this is not a reality. There is still a long way to go.

What proposals do you think would improve the current situation?

I propose to continue to eliminate differences and help women’s access to work.

Do you consider that work-life balance is a reality?

In my case it is a reality, as this company helps me with good working hours and flexibility. They take my situation into account and this is something to be valued nowadays, as in many companies, especially in the hotel and catering industry, this is very complicated.

Is there a woman you admire or who inspires you?

I admire my colleague Anie a lot. I have been working hand in hand with her for 16 years, and we both learn from each other every day. For me, she is a reference of a woman who is a fighter, a hard worker and a mother, with whom I share my day to day life.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

My advice is to train and fight for your dreams., to think about themselves and the future they would really like to build in order to be happy.

Fefi’s life was turned upside down by a beautiful coincidence. 5 years later, we know a little more about the Housekeeper Deputy Manager of Hotel Las Costas, passionate about her work and life. Every day is a challenge for her.

How did you come to this company?

By a beautiful coincidence. In my previous job as a shop assistant I met Nena, the Housekeeper Manager of Hotel Las Costas, and she offered me to work with her.  Nena always trusted me, and this opportunity was a personal challenge. That’s how I started in this demanding profession, until I reached my current position as assistant manager.

What do you like most about your job?

The professional and personal learning that I take with me every day, always trying to improve and offer the best to the guests. There are no limits in this profession.

Do you have any challenges to meet?

Every day is a new challenge, and that is what motivates me. “Life is a challenge” for me.

What do you think have been the most important advances in the fight for equality?

Although we have come a long way, I think there is still a lot of room for improvement. In other professions we can see positions held by both men and women, however, in the tourism industry it seems that there are still positions only for men or only for women, for example, there are no men as housekeepers, and there are no women in the maintenance department either. This happens because society still has the mentality that certain positions are for a certain gender, when the reality is that companies are committed to the qualities of people, not their gender. This is a basic problem in society that still persists in certain professions.

What proposals do you think would improve the current situation?

Training and incentives to eliminate these differences that we still see in society.

Do you consider that work-life balance is a reality?

There are still professions in which this is complicated, such as the hotel and catering industry. I also think that, although we have made progress, there is still a lot of weight on women in the family sphere, including companies that put obstacles in the way of those who are mothers, and while this is a fact, we have to fight to alleviate it.

Any woman you admire or who inspires you?

All of them, but especially my Housekeeping colleagues, because they know how hard this job is, and how valuable it is, as it is the basis to give a good service in any hotel.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

My advice is to fight for your dreams, never give up, and always aspire for more.

Mayo has been working at the Lanzarote Village Hotel for more than half a lifetime. She started 30 years ago entertaining our guests and nowadays she is in charge of welcoming them with her best smile. Worker, fighter and independent, she is the reflection of the values of this company that has seen her grow.

How did you come to this company?

I started as an entertainer 30 years ago, and I am still here, but currently as a Receptionist.

What do you like most about your job?

Dealing with the client and working with the different markets that visit us. There are clients who still come to Lanzarote Village after 30 years, and who knew me as an entertainer. Today we are like a family.

Any challenges ahead?

My challenge is to continue working in what I like, being independent and free, always striving to improve.

What advances do you think have been most important in the fight for equality?

I think there has been great progress both in the labour market and in the domestic market, now the work is more shared, and women are very competitive to access any position, something that was not the case before.

What proposals do you think would improve the current situation?

Continue to improve measures such as equal pay and gender based violence. We should also focus on underdeveloped countries, where inequality is increasing, and give opportunities to all.

Do you consider that work-life balance is a reality?

Although it is not my case, from the experience of my colleagues, women have even more weight in some aspects such as motherhood.

Any woman you admire or who inspires you?

Madonna.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

My advice is to keep fighting for their rights

 Mamen arrived at Lanzarote Village with our Executive Chef more than two years ago, to take up the position of Chef de Partida in the cold room, and to surprise the client every day with a different buffet. Today we know a little more about this hard-working woman, committed and passionate about her profession, always looking for new challenges.

How did you come to this company?

I came to this company through Miguel Ángel (Executive Chef). He trained me some time ago in another hotel, and asked me to be part of his team, and I was delighted to accept this new professional challenge.

What do you like most about your job?

Cold buffet is my passion, colours, textures… Searching for quality in the products and making the most of each elaboration.

Do you have any challenges to meet?

Every day is a new challenge. I try to surprise the customer every day. Anyone who knows me knows that I never put out a buffet like this.

What do you think have been the most important advances in the fight for equality?

This profession has always been very sexist, but little by little women have managed to gain access to important positions in the kitchen and salaries are on the same level.

What proposals do you think would improve the current situation?

Training. I think this is the basis for all labour issues.

Do you consider that work-life balance is a reality?

No, although we have made a lot of progress, I think it is practically impossible in the hotel and catering industry.

Is there a woman you admire or who inspires you?

Chef Montse Estruch, she was, is and will always be part of my working life. I have learnt a lot from her as a woman.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

My advice is to be passionate about what you do every day, to train themselves and to achieve a full working life in conjunction with their personal life.

Cristina has been offering an exquisite service in the Floresta Hotel Restaurant for 11 years. Committed, cheerful and passionate about the hotel business, she works every day to improve herself and become a Maitre d’, and we are sure that she will achieve it.

How did you get to this company?

I sent my CV and they gave me this job opportunity.

What do you like most about your job?

I am passionate about my job, the customer service and the team spirit. We are a great team with a good working environment.

Do you have any challenges to meet?

I would like to continue advancing professionally and one day become a Maitre.

What advances do you think have been most important in the fight for equality?

Nowadays women and men are equal in the workplace, we are a team regardless of gender.

What proposals do you think would improve the current situation?

Measures that are currently being applied, but which are more complicated in the hotel and catering industry, such as reduced working hours, split shifts, and access to any job.

Do you consider that work-life balance is a reality?

No, as I said before, this situation is much more difficult in the hotel and catering industry, as the shifts and working hours are more complex in order to be able to dedicate time to our families.

Is there a woman you admire or who inspires you?

All those who strive to keep improving every day.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

To fight for their rights, because although we have made progress, there is still a long way to go, and we cannot stagnate. When faced with cases of harassment or violence, don’t hesitate to ask for help, and to value yourself as a woman.

Hard-working, charismatic, friendly and committed, a woman who is fulfilling her dream of becoming a mother. Ruth is waiting for you at the reception of the Hotel Floresta to welcome you.

How did you come to this company?

6 years ago I applied for the position of receptionist and I was given the opportunity to start at Hotel Floresta.

What do you like most about your job?

The possibility to be in contact with speakers of different languages and the administrative tasks.

Do you have any challenges to meet?

At the moment I am fulfilling the challenge and dream of single motherhood.

What do you think have been the most important advances in the fight for equality?

All the advances are important, but I would point out Universal Public Education, the incorporation of women in the labour market and the right to vote.

What proposals do you think would improve the current situation?

I believe that the basis is a deep social awareness. In addition, I would propose changes in legislation to protect women at risk of social emergency. In terms of education, I would emphasise equality and respect. Regarding companies, I believe that there are still many where the measures approved by the government are not yet a reality, such as equal pay, equal opportunities for promotion, family reconciliation…

Do you consider that work-life balance is a reality?

There is still a long way to go.

Any woman you admire or who inspires you?

Many of them. Almudena Grandes, Rosa Montero, Yolanda Días, Cristina Almeida, Heidi Lamarr, Julia Otero, Agatha Christie, and of course, all the women in my family.

What advice would you give to the women of the future?

Don’t take a step backwards.