Mayka Rodriguez's Dynamic Leadership in Hospitality

Mayka Rodriguez is not just a leader; she’s a catalyst for transformation. With a rich history spanning decades, she brings unparalleled expertise to Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade, where she has been leading with passion and purpose since 2017. By crafting meaningful connections and offering guests a true sense of belonging, Mayka is renowned for redefining luxury hospitality by blending French elegance with Portuguese warmth. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences have earned her a reputation for creating unforgettable moments that leave a lasting impression.

The Key Inspiration: Passion for Hospitality

Mayka’s passion for hospitality stems from her life, which is that hotels are not just places; they are cultural crossroads where people, stories, and traditions meet. Her passion for hospitality has always been about creating meaningful connections and offering each guest a true sense of belonging. Over time, this passion has deepened into a sense of responsibility: to inspire with vision, nurture her teams, and ensure every guest feels genuinely recognized and valued. Mayka truly believes in Sofitel’s Cousu Main philosophy: service from the heart, tailored with care, elegance, and authenticity.

Sofitel Lisbon’s Differentiating Factors

Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade seamlessly blends the elegance of French Art de Vivre with the vibrant energy and authenticity of Lisbon. Perfectly located on Avenida da Liberdade, the city’s most iconic boulevard, it is at once a cultural gateway and a luxurious retreat. What makes it truly unique is this harmony between Parisian sophistication and Portuguese soul. Here, guests not only discover Sofitel, but also discover Lisbon through Sofitel.

Balancing French Standards and Local Culture

As per Mayka, balance is not about compromise, but about seamless integration. Sofitel’s French-inspired standards provide a framework of excellence, while Lisbon’s culture adds the color, rhythm, and soul. The gastronomy celebrates the richness of Portuguese ingredients elevated through French techniques at Matiz Restaurant. The design mixes contemporary elegance with local craftsmanship, allowing guests to experience Lisbon in a way that feels both refined and authentically true to its spirit.

The Key Elements behind World-class Guest Experience

Mayka focuses on three guiding principles to deliver consistently world-class guest experiences: service excellence, empowering teams, and consistency with heart.

Excellence in service means attention to detail, anticipation of needs, and genuine care. Empowered teams mean that when ambassadors feel proud and supported, they naturally become storytellers of the brand. Consistency with heart guarantees quality, but it is creativity and warmth that create lasting memories. With Sofitel’s Cousu Main service, Mayka and her team aspire for every guest not only to leave satisfied, but also to depart touched, engaged, and inspired.

Major Shift in the Hospitality Landscape

The Hospitality industry has shifted from a transactional model to an emotional journey, where trust, empathy, and reassurance define confidence in luxury. Guests today seek authenticity, flexibility, and genuine human connection, while technology plays an important role, the essence of true luxury remains profoundly human: the comfort, attention, and care that only people can deliver. The recent years have reminded Mayka that travel is not only about discovering new places, but about connecting people and creating meaningful memories.

Evolving Traveler Behavior: Shaping the Future of Luxury

Travelers today are more conscious and discerning, seeking experiences with purpose, feeling part of local culture, valuing time and space, and knowing that the brands they choose reflect their own values. Luxury is no longer just about opulence, but about authenticity, privacy, and service that feels intuitive and deeply personal. For Mayka, the Luxury of the Future is, above all, about People.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade proudly embraces inclusion and diversity through the Accor RiiSE movement, promoting equal opportunities and empowering both women and men across hospitality. Sustainability is at the heart of daily operations, from reducing waste to sourcing locally and minimizing plastics. Mayka believes that sustainability is not just about programs and initiatives but also about mindset: respecting people, the community, and the planet. The team inspires and creates consciousness among guests, the community, and team members through activities, workshops, and art.

Remarkable Milestones and Achievements

What makes Mayka proudest is not a single title or personal achievement, but witnessing the growth of her team. Whether reopening a property, navigating challenges, or repositioning in a competitive market, the true milestones are the collective victories, the moments when the team exceeds expectations and creates unforgettable experiences for guests. Mayka loves witnessing when the disciple outdoes, seeing former team members now leading flagship properties and thriving in their own journeys. Along the way, adapting to new cultures, encountering new friends, colleagues, and guests, many of whom have become more like family, has been one of her greatest achievements.

Overcoming the Hurdles

Mayka believes that challenges have been her greatest teachers. Balancing profitability with uncompromising guest service, leading with resilience through uncertainty, or driving transformation in traditional environments have all profoundly shaped her. She believes that true leadership is not about control, but about adaptability, empathy, and vision. Mayka recognizes that nothing could have been achieved without the dedication of her teams, the guidance of mentors and partners, and the trust of loyal guests.

Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade’s Future Role

Mayka envisions Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade continuing to lead as a reference for luxury in Lisbon’s evolving hospitality landscape over the next 5-10 years. As Lisbon becomes one of the world’s most dynamic destinations, seamlessly blending tradition with modern creativity, the hotel will remain a cultural hub where international travelers discover Lisbon with elegance and the local community finds a partners in gastronomy and cultural life. Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade’s role will be to showcase Lisbon’s identity while preserving Sofitel’s French Zest, shaping how the city is experienced through refined service and unique offerings. With a new project’s horizon, Mayka invites everyone to stay tuned for exciting product developments in the coming months.

Pearls of Wisdom

Mayka advises young professionals to stay curious, humble, and above all, stay human. Technical skills can be learned, but passion and empathy come from within. She encourages emerging leaders to learn from guests, colleagues, and mentors, and listen to their hearts before their heads. Leadership is about inspiring others and lifting them, and a team is built on trust. People may forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.