ANDIAMO - Sarah Dandashy

Travel Expert and Creator

You mentioned the 'right attitude’ is what allowed you to succeed. What are your tips for developing the right attitude in any job? 

It really comes down to taking pride in being of service. You can look at your job in many ways, but if you look at your role as an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, that is huge! From offering a complimentary drink at the right moment to helping someone plan the perfect proposal, when you understand that you can make a positive impact on someone’s life it changes your approach to your work. It’s more than a can-do attitude, it’s a make-magic attitude! ;)

Can you share a magical moment while working as hotel concierge?

My favorite story is shared in the book! I was asked to get someone into the Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Due to the time of year, they were not available but I was able to secure and plan out a private magic show in the guests’ suite. I love this story because it took a situation that could have been a “no” and end of discussion, and it turned the opportunity into something more than any of us had expected. I know for a fact it is an experience they talk about with their friends to this day. And that to me is so magical—on multiple fronts!

5 favourite hotels around the world?

Oh boy, this is a tough question!! Being a hotel person, I enjoy all different types of hotels. Personally, I love hotels that really have fun with their personality. But I also love hotels that are historic. I’ll list 5 hotels, but know that my list is far longer than this and also includes so many different types too (Not just 5-star properties!).

Fairmont Banff Springs, Four Seasons Philadelphia Comcast Center, Waldorf Astoria Berlin, Brenners Park Hotel, Baden-Baden, Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

How do you hope your new book ‘Hospitality from Within’ will impact the hospitality industry?

My goal is to hopefully be a source of inspiration. For those of us that have been in the industry for some time, maybe it reminds us of the little things we can do that can have a big impact on the guest experience. And as a result, the joy it can create for both us, as service providers, and for the guest. For those new to the industry, I hope it gives some sort of guideline or framework of how to go above and beyond moving forward. Think of it as a little mini 5-Star service training that is applicable to any facet of the industry.

The one thing you always pack for your travels? And the one you always forget?

Ohhh, I always bring, aside from the usual like chargers, blazer, laptop, curling iron… but the one thing I always bring…. Running shoes! I like to stay active, and sometimes it’s hard to squeeze in a workout, but when I can, I love to go for runs in the neighborhood. And running sneakers are a must! Now, on the opposite side of the spectrum, I always forget to bring a bluetooth speaker! I love music and all too often, I want to play some music—but not from my phone. And it is something I never remember to bring.

You’ve been recently trying Bellino Percale Sheets. How is the experience?

I absolutely LOVE the sheets! Believe me, I stay in a lot of hotels and it is like bringing the hotel experience home. They are so crisp and comfortable. I stay cool during the night. I’m honestly thinking of getting a second set!

In your list of seven pillars of hospitality, why is ‘Genuine and Authentic Engagement’ ranked at the very top?

Great question. At the end of the day, all of our interactions have to be real and come from an authentic place. This is the cornerstone to all of the other pillars. You can’t listen properly or anticipate needs or really commit to any of the other pillars without the basis of being authentically engaged.

As travel and hospitality expert, TV personality, public speaker and author, what is the best advice you can offer someone new to the industry?

Always go above and beyond. You never know who you’re going to work with again, and the best thing you can do is build a solid reputation for yourself. Our careers lead us in very unusual paths, but if you always make a point to go above and beyond, that will always come back to you tenfold!

You were raised in Jeddah, London, Atlanta, DC, and New York, which city do you have the fondest memories in while growing up?

Oh goodness! All of them. I mean, I have amazing memories of Jeddah as a kid. I lived there until I was 6. But equally, I had some amazing moments in London. I lived a good part of my childhood in Atlanta which was a great foundation for me. It was a great place to be a kid and to have some stability. I went to Georgetown in DC—so college memories are the best. And I lived in NYC fresh out of college. I have family in the city, so I spent much of my life in and out of NYC. At the end of the day, living in all of these places exposed me to so many individuals of different backgrounds, from cultural to socio-economic. Without a doubt it made me a natural fit for the hospitality industry where we are encountering so many different people on a regular basis.