Meet Sandra Aguilar, the General Manager at The Royal Haciendas and one of the first women to reach a top managerial post in the Riviera Maya.
Originally from Mexico City, Sandra has worked for Royal Resorts for 17 years, starting off as a front desk clerk at The Royal Caribbean and moving up the corporate ladder as Front Desk Manager, Front Desk Coordinator for The Royal Mayan, The Royal Caribbean and The Royal Islander, Guest Services Manager and Executive Guest Services Manager. She also spent several years as the Resort Manager at The Pelican Resort and Marina on St. Maarten, a resort operated with Systems by Royal Resorts. On her return to Mexico, she was appointed as The Royal Haciendas Manager. She says, “I’ve been Resort Manager at The Royal Haciendas for the past four years. I thrive on challenges, surprises and variety, which is why I love my job.“
Sandra has a philosophy of excellence in customer service and shares her vision and ideas with her team, inspiring them to always go one step further to make each guest’s vacation experience truly special.
Customer satisfaction levels reflect this approach and the resort is the proud recipient of the 2014 Traveler’s Choice award from Trip Advisor in the category of Best Family Resorts in Mexico. In 2013, it was rated as one of the Traveler’s Choice Top 25 Resorts in Mexico, in the company of some of the world’s leading boutique hotels.
Sandra also leads The Royal Haciendas “green team” as part of the Royal Resorts ecological program. They are always looking for ways to spread the environmental message and examples of their work include special Earth Hour and Earth Day activities, an organic herb garden and events to support the Royal Resorts Foundation’s conservation and development causes. In 2012, The Royal Haciendas was awarded the Rainforest Alliance Verified ™ mark in recognition of its compliance with the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainability standards and its commitment to a role of environmental stewardship. In 2013, it also received the Distintivo S from the Mexican Tourism Board, a distinction awarded to resorts for their work towards sustainability.
Sandra and her team also organize regular events at the resort to showcase the Mayan and Mexican culture. She says, “Every time I walk around The Royal Haciendas I realize how privileged we are, not only because of the beauty of our natural surroundings, but also because of our rich heritage. Each day I fall more in love with my country, my culture and my people. When we organize a special event for our guests we try to share this passion, whether we are showing them the Mayan culture, Mexican cuisine and music, our variety of tropical fruit with all their colors and flavors and the landscaping of our gardens. I see this as our greatest gift to our guests, making their stay a unique vacation experience, one that they will treasure in the years to come.
She adds, “I really enjoy looking for different ways to share our extraordinary natural and cultural heritage with our dear visitors and also with my staff. I want to make them feel proud of their roots and their workplace and for them to spread this message to their families and friends.”
