A conversation with our Maintenance Manager
Chelsea Village Hotel is more than just a safe, comfortable place to stay – it’s a finely tuned operation where every detail is carefully maintained to ensure guests feel at ease. Reliable power hums constantly, cool air flows from the air conditioning and the grounds are tended with care.
Behind this seamless experience is a team led by one man with an eye for detail and a passion for problem-solving: Ernesto Montemayor, our long-serving Maintenance Manager. We chatted to Ernesto to learn more about his work, his journey to Mogadishu, and what keeps him inspired after nearly a decade at Chelsea Village Hotel.
Global expertise at Chelsea Village Hotel
Ernesto, who hails from the Philippines, brings with him more than 25 years of experience across the Middle East, North America, West Africa, and now East Africa. His journey into facilities and construction management began in the mining sector, where a former general manager recognised his talent and recommended him to Chelsea Village Hotel.
In January 2016, he joined the team at his new home away from home, fully embracing his role as Maintenance Manager. “From the day I joined the friendly team of Chelsea Village Hotel,” remarks Ernesto, “it has motivated me to explore my innermost self-creativity and innovative ways to make things better.”
Ernesto’s day and duties as Maintenance Manager
Ernesto oversees the entire maintenance operation of the hotel – from preventative repairs and renovations to making sure all equipment and infrastructure remain fully functional and safe. Part of his role is also to serve as a project manager for on-site construction, which includes doing budget proposals, structural drawing reviews, and preparing methods of work implementation and project timelines.
His days typically begin with a meeting with department heads, a safety briefing with his team, followed by a full schedule of coordination, troubleshooting, and hands-on technical support.
“In this kind of work environment I could say this: never expect yesterday to be the same as today.”
Ernesto also serves as a project manager for Chelsea Village Hotel construction when necessary.
Building trust and maintaining teamwork
Ernesto works closely with every department at Chelsea Village Hotel. While the job comes with its fair share of challenges – differences in language barriers is one Ernesto highlights – he believes that a strong team spirit and shared commitment can overcome anything. “As a team, we always have a solution to every problem,” he says.
Working with the team has profoundly shaped Ernesto’s professional and personal life. “The proudest and most unforgettable experience of my life has been working with the intelligent, kind, and supportive management team at Chelsea Village Hotel.”
Chelsea Village Hotel: a place to call home
When asked what makes Chelsea Village different from other places he’s worked, Ernesto doesn’t hesitate: “Chelsea Village Hotel is my second home from home. In my 25 years of working outside my native-born Philippines, I would say that Chelsea Village is the best place.”
This sense of comfort and familiarity is one that Ernesto extends to all guests. He and his team value their guests more than anything else, always endeavouring to make them feel at ease. For him, providing them with excellent and rapid service is a 24/7 priority.
And he will never stop finding ways to keep Chelsea Village Hotel the top choice in Mogadishu.
