Dive into the world of luxury: Colleen's 1st internship at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz

As part of her first year of a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management at theÉcole de Savignac, Colleen chose to do her internship at a prestigious establishment: the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz. An immersive experience at the heart of the luxury hotel business, which she shares with enthusiasm and sincerity.

A gradual immersion in an emblematic palace

The Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz is an iconic luxury hotel. She first joined the hotel's Spa as a receptionist, before being invited to join the Club team, where she now works as a beach attendant. A transition that has enabled her toexplore different aspects of customer care, within two complementary worlds.

A taste for human contact and multiculturalism

What stands out most for Colleen in this experience is the richness of the human contact. "I enjoy interacting with customers, contributing to their comfort and making sure they have a pleasant time."
Working in an internationally renowned establishment also enables her to express herself in several languages and open up to diverse cultures: "It's a real mix of cultures, which makes the experience both dynamic and enriching."

Between festivals and celebrities: the hotel industry at the heart of events

During her internship, Colleen was lucky enough to be stationed at the Nouvelles Vagues film festival, held in Biarritz: "At this event, we receive many celebrities from all over the world. I find this exciting, as it gives me the opportunity to talk to some of them and discover the world of cinema from a new angle."

Building skills, day after day

In addition to the customer experience, Colleen has learned a great deal from her internship: "I' m gaining in confidence every day, overcoming my shyness and approaching customers with ease."
She is also developing her management and coordination skills: "I help organize the work, coordinate certain tasks during busy periods, and make sure that everything runs smoothly."
These are all key skills that she is strengthening in the field, while gaining the confidence of her managers.

A caring, training team

Colleen also insists on the quality of the human environment that surrounds her:
"The Club & Spa team gives me a warm welcome and supports me with kindness throughout my integration. I'd also like to sincerely thank my managers for the trust they place in me. This encourages me to invest myself fully in my missions and to always seek to progress."

Anecdote: when mattresses fly away...

The profession of beach attendant also has its share of surprises. Colleen shares an unexpected scene she experienced at the Club:
"One day, the wind was blowing particularly hard and, as a precaution, we had stored a stack of mattresses in a cabaña, a space reserved for customers who rent this service. But then a customer arrived to use the cabaña. So we had to act quickly to move the pile of mattresses before it fell or got in the way. The wind was increasing in strength, and as I tried to move the pile... a huge gust blew it in my direction! The force of the wind almost pushed me into the pool, but I barely managed to catch myself. Five or six mattresses literally flew over me - a scene both improbable and memorable. At the time, it was a mixture of panic and laughter with my colleagues. The state of the mattresses afterwards made us laugh a little less... The anecdote reflects the need to remain reactive, adaptable and cool-headed, even in a 5-star environment!

Her advice to future trainees: "be daring".

In conclusion, Colleen encourages future students to step out of their comfort zone:
"My advice is simple: dare. Have the audacity to express yourself, to make yourself heard, to provoke opportunities."
This internship at Hôtel du Palais has only strengthened her desire to work in the upscale hotel industry, a sector she describes as demanding, exciting and meaningful.

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