My name is Ids Hof, born and raised in Friesland. I am originally from Drachten, but moved to Leeuwarden at a young age, where my passion for the hospitality industry began. After graduating from hotel school and gaining valuable experience in a Michelin-starred restaurant, I left for the Seychelles to work as a resort sommelier. During the COVID period, I was forced to return to the Netherlands, where I decided to further my knowledge at the Hogere Hotelschool in Leeuwarden.

How did you end up at WestCord for your internship?

During my studies, I worked at restaurant Élevé, located in the WTC Hotel in Leeuwarden. When the General Manager heard that I was still looking for an internship, he offered me the opportunity to work as a Duty Intern at WestCord.

What exactly does your internship involve?

My internship is very diverse and consists of two parts. In the first part, I worked alongside all the hotel's operational departments, from Housekeeping to Technical Services. During this period, I helped out everywhere and contributed ideas to get a good picture of the different teams and their work.

Based on this experience, I started carrying out various projects within the departments, ranging from smaller tasks, such as ordering new pots for the eggs at breakfast, to larger and more radical changes, such as implementing new registration systems in the kitchens.

In addition, I fulfill an operational support role, helping all departments within the hotel where necessary.

What are the biggest challenges in your role?

During my internship, I worked as a server in the restaurant. When both the restaurant manager and the assistant restaurant manager were unexpectedly unavailable, I was asked to temporarily take over their roles. With the holidays just around the corner, this made it an extra challenging period, but also an incredibly educational one!

''At WestCord, colleagues work closely together. We do it with each other and for each other, and that makes it a pleasant and close-knit working environment.''

What additional skills have you been able to develop as a result?

In every role I have held at WestCord so far, one thing has been central: teamwork. Without colleagues, you can't achieve anything. Working together can sometimes make the work challenging, complex, and occasionally even frustrating, but above all, it is fun, educational, and exactly why I enjoy cycling to work every day.

Can you share a memorable or amusing moment from your internship that will always stay with you?

One evening in the restaurant, the sommelier was asked to come to the table. Since I am a big wine lover myself, I went over. The guests gave me a special wine glass holder with a matching stemless glass and asked if we could serve their ordered wine in it. As a wine fanatic and gadget lover, I was immediately enthusiastic. In the end, they liked it so much that we were even approached for a photo shoot with the device, and so I ended up modeling with the wine glass holder. The things you do for your guests!

How do you experience working within WestCord as an organization?

In my still young career, I have already had the opportunity to work for various hotel chains. However, WestCord is the one where I experience the strongest “family feeling.” That may sound cliché, but it really is a special feeling.

How did you experience the working atmosphere and cooperation with your colleagues?

As I mentioned earlier, my colleagues are the reason why I cycle to work every day with so much pleasure and enthusiasm, no matter how early it is.

What advice would you give to future interns/employees at WestCord?

Go in with an open mind and don't be afraid to ask questions! At every WestCord Hotel, you will be working with colleagues from all over the world, each with their own story and experience. Not only can you learn a lot from them professionally, but you will also regularly find yourself in fun and educational situations if you are open, eager to learn, and enthusiastic.

Suppose you could perform another job within WestCord for one day, which one would it be and why?

The nice thing about my current role is that I already wear many different hats. Still, I think a day on a busy terrace, like in Groningen, would be wonderful, spending the whole afternoon in the sun and then enjoying an ice-cold beer after the shift.