Meet Alan Esparza of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Esparza.

Hi Alan , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From baking famous chocolate chip cookies at the DoubleTree Hotel in Commerce as a bellman to becoming the General Manager of the Whisky Hotel in Hollywood, that is where my story begins. Raised by parents in Mexico and grandparents here in LA, my hospitality adventure started as a banquet server at the DoubleTree Hotel. Moving up the ladder to Bellman, FD and Night Auditor. My passion grew and quickly became a Front Office supervisor at another major chain hotel, Crown Plaza Beverly Hills with IHG. It only took me a year to know that I wanted more and move on to become a VIP Guest Relations Agent and Supervisor at the renowned Intercontinental Hotel in Century City. That is where I met most of the people that will shape my future in this industry and mentors. After a few years, my first big shot in a management role and first time working for a non-chain independent luxury hotel as Assistant Dir of Guest Experience at Luxe Rodeo Hotel. Assisting also their sister property, Luxe Sunset Hotel, I eventually received a promotion after a lot of hard work and dedication to Rooms Division Manager, while going to school to receive my Bachelors in Nutritional Science and Hospitality Management at CSULA. navigating through the Pandemic in this industry was a challenge, but when the world kept going and we all had to adapt to the new normal, I experienced other roles in operations at other properties such as Andaz Hollywood as Rooms Manager, part of the opening team as Dir of Front Office at Hotel Per La, previously known as NoMad Hotel and Hotel Manager at two boutique hotel, Aster (which is also Social Club and in which I was heavily involved) and Pali House Hotel in Santa Monica. All these experiences and adventures led me to my current role, General Manager at the newest gem that Hollywood has to offer, Whisky Hotel, an amazing team that we have built from scratch and in which we continue to be successful.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is no such things as a smooth road, or at least non that I have experienced. Every situation, people, environment, or issue that you come across is just another test. The outcome and decisions shape your future, but you are responsible to determine what that will be.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the General Manager, there are many responsibilities that comes with the role but the team that makes this project running are the most important element of all. Forming a great work environment with all employees, guiding the leaders of each department with opportunities to improve or any challenges, meeting new people from the same industry making connections and helping each outer for a common goal. I’m proud of my team. Proud of what we have accomplished together with everyone’s efforts.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Many people have helped me along the way to be where I am now. One of my first and greatest mentors is Adrienne Craig-Aziz, a hotelier and businesswoman that has extraordinary talent and incredible operational skills. She believed in me and gave me the opportunity into leadership roles. Adam Sydenham is another mentor of mine who thought me what there is to know about high standards and luxury with his Four Seasons background, learned a lot from him.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whiskyhotel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskyhotella/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whisky-hotel-405875365