A conversation with Klaudia Romanowicz – member of the management board of Arche in Warsaw, finalist of the Hotelier of the Year 2024 competition in the category of Hoteliers under 35, nominated for the title of Leader by Vocation – on development and love for the hotel industry.
When did you become aware of your leadership skills?
I think already in my childhood. I was always eager to get involved in various initiatives, as a leader of my class or other school groups. Various professional experiences also contributed to the development of my leadership skills. My mother claims it was the ‘hand of God’, because even as a child I used to say I would have a hotel and a wedding venue.
How did these skills evolve?
I come from Lublin, where I finished high school. I started studying at the Medical University of Warsaw at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and, simultaneously, PR and social communication at the University of Finance and Management. I’ve been supporting myself since 19: I used to work at Nestlé Waters Polska, was quickly promoted and became a leader managing field sales representatives. I combined my studies with an individual course of study, and, while waiting for an internship, I ended up at the Nosselia Hotel in Krzyczki Szumne near Nasielsk, where I met an exceptional woman, director Monika Nasr, who offered me a job after the interview. I started my career in the hotel industry as a MICE sales coordinator and wedding planner (in 2014, I obtained the Gold Wedding Planner Certificate from the Polish Academy of Wedding Consultants). It was there where I organised my first events, one of which for as many as 5,000 people. I was 22 at the time and I told my husband I wasn’t going back to medical school, which literally shocked him. I felt hospitality was something I was passionate about, something I loved and something I wanted to pursue seriously. Then, I became the managing director of the Villa Omnia event venue in Trębki Nowe near Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, and, from 2018, I worked as a sales manager and then sales department manager at the Stixx Bar&Grill restaurant complex in Warsaw.
What is so fascinating about sales?
I love sales and I love people. It’s a very dynamic field where you can prove yourself on many levels. On the one hand, you need to understand the customer well, remember to maintain balance, and ensure that both customers and goods are protected. On the other hand, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people. I’ve always focused on relationships. I’m also a coach and mental trainer, experiencing a unique time, because I have my own mentor – Władysław Grochowski, head of the Arche Group. I’m very glad about it, because I can follow such a mentor with my eyes shut.
How long have you been working for the Arche Group?
In 2022, I took part in the recruitment process for the position of sales and marketing director at Arche Pałac and Folwark Łochów. A year later, I became the MD, and since January 2025, I’ve been a member of the Arche Group’s management board.
What are your greatest strengths?
I like challenges and difficult tasks, and can remain in a calm and untroubled state in unforeseen situations. Nothing is impossible. I believe everything is a matter of good organisation, motivation and willingness. I’ve noticed that too much free time doesn’t serve me well. I mother a lively 8-year-old, and this is the most important role in my life. I’ve never taken sick leave at work; I worked until the very day I gave birth, because I believe – probably influenced by my medical studies – that pregnancy is not an illness. Thanks to my wonderful husband, I returned to work immediately after giving birth. The early months of motherhood were the most productive in terms of my professional life. I had more energy and, above all, I knew that I couldn’t put anything off until later, because later there might not be enough time.
What are your responsibilities as a member of the management board?
During the first months I was involved in sales, marketing and hotels. Now I’m getting involved in all areas, learning about architecture, construction and investment issues. The president puts it this way: you are my right-hand woman, so you need to know everything. I manage hotels, recently 21 venues. We will soon be opening more, the earliest being the Metalowiec Sanatorium in Muszyna. We have interesting and challenging projects planned in Bytom, Siemianowice, Konstancin, Szklarska Poręba, Szczecin and Łódź. Our hotels have been developing cultural activities, following the example of Żnin. We make sure our guests’ free time is filled with something ambitious: we organise concerts, theatre performances, and we’re even planning to create a theatre. We’re developing our projects, such as Arche Senior and Edu Arche. As part of the first one, we organise trips for seniors, and as part of the second, we want to bring children and young people closer to us by showing them the best we have to offer: historic buildings. We offer promotional prices for school trips.
What are your plans for personal development?
My promotion is a powerful path to development. Now I’ve been learning, getting to know and drawing on the experience and knowledge of employees who are happy to share the secrets of their fields, which makes me very happy. At the same time, I’ve been developing my coaching and training skills and recently had the pleasure of giving a lecture at the University of Warsaw.
How do you spend your free time?
Mostly with my husband and son. I like reading books, ranging from medical thrillers to self-help ones. I love biographical literature, especially about women. Recently, I’ve been fascinated by Michelle Obama’s biography. Having a wonderful professional mentor I also benefit from such circumstances in personal life: I recently met some fascinating women at Jakub Bączek’s Academy of Mental Trainers.
What are you most proud of?
I’m happy and proud that I see issues related to business and hospitality in a similar way to my mentor. Although I’m a young person, I share the same values as an experienced businessman and human being: the same value system, way of looking at people, way of looking at hotels. A view used to prevail that an empty room is better than an unprofitable guest. I believe relationships and guests visiting hotels are the best investment.
Dorota Kolano
