Georgeta Grecu, Swissôtel Poiana Brașov

The human touch behind hospitality - Getting to know Georgeta Grecu, General Manager at Swissôtel Poiana Brașov

Running a hotel is about far more than offering a comfortable stay – it’s about creating experiences, managing details with precision, and leading with empathy. But what does life look like behind the role? In this edition of our “Beyond the CEO” series, we invite you to discover the personal side of Georgeta Grecu, the woman behind the leadership at Swissôtel Poiana Brașov.

Managing a hotel means constantly being present for others. How do you find time to be present for yourself?

A hotel manager’s day, mine also, often starts with a large cup of coffee and a deep breath - leaving personal matters at the door and stepping fully into the role, like an actor on stage. It’s a profession where you know when the day begins, but rarely when it ends. From early morning briefings to late-night check-ins, every moment brings something unexpected.

I like to be present for my guests and for my team, checking every detail in between. Hospitality is not just a job; it’s a rhythm of life you learn to embrace, I am doing it for more that 25 years and I still love the energy that comes from the people and their stories.

I believe that to lead effectively, one must also take care of personal well-being. I find balance by spending time in nature - hiking is one of my most loved activities – practicing aerobic and yoga, and dedicating moments to family and close friends. Every year, me and my mountaineer group of friends spend a week in the Romanian mountains - Bucegi, Apuseni  and this year we plan to experience the Grossglockner and Grossvenediger in Austria and, maybe next year, the Swiss Alps.

Reading also is a passion from youth and I am convinced that in hospitality, where every detail matters and people are at the heart of everything, reading gives leaders the inner strength, clarity, and emotional balance to lead with authenticity and purpose.

Poiana Brașov is known for its natural beauty. What does this environment mean to you personally – beyond your role at the hotel?

Poiana Brașov has a special energy—it’s more than just a destination; it’s “the” place to be for skiing and active holidays in Romania. The mountains remind me to breathe deeply, to stay present, and to appreciate the rhythm of nature. Living in Brasov and experiencing each and every day the 20 minutes’ drive to Poiana Brasov I enjoy and find inspiration in the changing seasons —each with its own pace and beauty.  Whether it’s a quiet snowfall in winter or a sunlit golden forest in autumn, Poiana has a way of reconnecting me to what truly matters. It’s both a retreat and a source of strength.

Hospitality requires both structure and warmth. Which of these qualities comes most naturally to you, and which did you develop along the way?

Warmth comes naturally to me. I am a people person; I have always believed in the power of human connection and the difference a sincere smile can make. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, listening to their stories, and making them feel welcome. That human touch, that instinct to care, for guests and colleagues alike, has guided me throughout my career.

Structure, on the other hand, is something I’ve developed along the way, starting as financial controller and purchasing manager in the ‘90s and growing as general manager with the opening of Hotel Cismigiu back in 2012. Leading a hotel requires a balance of discipline, planning, and strategic thinking, and I’ve learned to integrate these elements while maintaining a people-first approach. This balance is where the true art of hospitality lies: offering care with intention, and structure with soul.

If you could offer one piece of life advice to a young professional entering hospitality today, based on your own personal journey, what would it be?

As I said before, hospitality is not just a job, it’s a passion for a lifetime.  Stay passionate and embrace every challenge as a learning opportunity. Hospitality is an industry that rewards dedication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Every interaction, whether with a guest, a team member, or a mentor, is a chance to grow and refine your work. Keep an open mind, stay resilient, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Also, going abroad to learn and absorb everything you can is a good advice. Working in other countries opens your perspective in ways that no book or classroom ever could. You’ll be exposed to diverse cultures, high standards, and different approaches to service and leadership. These experiences are incredibly valuable, and I truly believe that once acquired, they should be brought back home.

Romania offers an enormous potential in tourism, and we need passionate, globally-minded professionals to help shape its future. So, my advice is: go, grow, and then return - to build, inspire, and contribute to a stronger, more competitive hospitality landscape here at home.

Looking back, is there a defining moment or decision in your personal life that has shaped the way you lead today?

Yes - one moment that truly shaped my leadership journey was during my early years of training at Sofitel Bucharest. I was fortunate to be part of the opening team and the general manager not only guided me professionally but also placed genuine trust in my potential. He believed in my ability to lead, to make decisions, and most importantly, he trusted that we shared the same fundamental values that are at the heart of true hospitality: respect, excellence, and authenticity.

That early vote of confidence gave me both the courage and clarity to lead with intention. It taught me that leadership isn't about hierarchy, but about empowering others, aligning around shared values, and staying deeply human in everything we do. That experience stayed with me, and it's something I now try to pass on to every team I work with.

What does success mean to you on a personal level, beyond professional accomplishments and accolades?

Success, to me, is about making a meaningful impact on people around me. It’s about the relationships I build, the moments of genuine connection, and the ability to inspire and uplift others. Knowing that I have played a part in someone’s growth, whether a guest who had an unforgettable stay or a team member who developed their career, or a student that was inspired with my stories, brings me the greatest fulfillment. At the end of the day, true success is measured by the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind.

Success means seeing people around me thrive - colleagues I’ve mentored, teams I’ve built, guests whose experiences were truly memorable. And on an even deeper level, it’s about being at peace with who I am when the day ends.

It is time now to hand over the baton, as of June 1st, to Mr. Shane Labrooy, the new General Manager of Swissôtel Poiana Brasov. With a complete and competent team and after the first winter season, I am confident in the success of the hotel which thus becomes a prestigious hotel on the Romanian and international map, and I admit that I will always look with pride at this achievement.