Meet Danita Harth-Bates

Director of Rooms

// Chicago, IL

Helping people, first as a lawyer, and now as the Director of Rooms, has always motivated Danita Harth-Bates.  More

 

 

Q: When and how did you get into the hospitality business?

After years practicing law, I was looking to do something different. My sister and I had always talked about opening a restaurant, and to become familiar with the industry, I signed up for a six week hospitality course, which in addition to being interesting landed me a job at the front office at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. I loved it, and decided that hotels, not restaurants, were going to be my future.

Q: What has been your progression through Starwood?

I’d say pretty rapid. After 18 months at the Tremont and Raphael Hotels, I was promoted to Rooms Manager at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest, which was then known as the Sheraton Arlington Heights. And then later that year I was promoted to General Manager. The year after that I transferred to the Sheraton Gateway Suites O’Hare as General Manager. At that stage, Sheraton Chicago asked me to become their Director of Six Sigma, and I signed on and stayed there for two years, and then, wanting to return to operations, I became the Director of Rooms for the Sheraton Chicago.

Q: Your title is Director of Rooms, but what does that entail?

I oversee the Front Office, Housekeeping, Laundry, Bell Services, Security and several smaller departments. I interact with guests regularly and work with my teams to ensure we are providing the quality of service Sheraton guests expect.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working for Starwood?

Starwood’s willingness to take risks, to try new things, and their ability to embrace change. The information and cross-company communication is phenomenal.

 

 

College Recruiting: MBA Program

Starwood offers summer internships to first year MBA students across our corporate locations in numerous business functions such as Marketing, Operations, Real Estate, Finance and Sales. Our MBA interns are immersed in their teams and given ownership of key projects and initiatives. Throughout the summer, interns work closely with senior leadership at Starwood, are exposed to core business processes, and are assigned a mentor to help guide their development. Along with the focus on business and developmental goals, our program provides some fun too, through social and networking activities and events throughout the summer.

Most internships take place at our corporate and divisional offices in White Plains, New York, located about 25 miles north of New York City in Westchester County. Starwood utilizes Behavioral Interviewing, a method which asks candidates to provide specific examples of particular behaviors or skills. After interviewing on-campus with Starwood recruiters, prospective candidates may have follow-up interviews with department managers. Starwood ensures its interns are given the foundation to contribute and grow from the start. Our full-day orientation is usually held in May and immerses interns into our company culture, our brands, and divisional structure. Each intern is assigned a sponsor and a mentor to assist throughout the summer.

Summer interns are considered for leadership opportunities in our company following graduation. At Starwood, learning and development does not end after graduation. Associates create individual development plans and work with their managers to reach their goals. Career growth can include progressions through positions with corporate teams and hotel leadership.

The MBA program is limited to first-year MBA students with continuous authorization to work in the United States. If you are graduating and looking for full-time opportunities, you are invited to search for current career opportunities.

The application process for summer 2009 is now closed. Applications will once again be accepted in January 2010.