In our latest inCROWD interview, we catch up with Monica Sanchez Borja, International Sales Manager MICE & Corporate, Europe, at Palladium Hotel Group on hedonist luxury, her passion for travel, and memorable event moments in Ibiza.

Monica started her hospitality career in London where she held several different positions as Sales Coordinator, Sales Executive and Sales Manager before moving back to Madrid and taking on her current role at Palladium Hotel Group, which includes the BLESS Hotels in Madrid and Ibiza. She says: “This is one of the best work experiences I’ve ever had. I have the opportunity to travel to different countries and meet new people from different cultures - two of my passions!”

My first #inVOYAGEMoment was in Monaco… the organisers of this forum always choose fascinating destinations and unique experiences where all the attendees can enjoy and relax while networking. What I like the most is the wonderful environment they create, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to experience such a unique event.

The thing I most love about working in events is… the magical moments we are able to create. Depending on our client´s needs, we can transform spaces into captivating scenarios. I also love meeting amazing people from all over the world and discovering fantastic places during these events.

Luxury to me means… At BLESS Collection hotels, we are pioneers of hedonist luxury. For us, luxury means the instinct to satisfy the appetite for pleasure, people who feed into the here and the now, savouring every moment of their lives to the fullest.

My earliest travel memory… is when as a child, I used to go every summer to visit my family in France along with my parents. They used to live in a “Mas” in the countryside and I remember we used to go to the river for a refreshing bath, take blackberries from the bush and eat vegetables from the vegetable garden… I miss these summers in the middle of the nature, and since then I have been a cheese fanatic! 

City slicker or beach bum?
It depends on the time of the year! I love both! In summer, I love to go to the beach or to get lost in a tropical island somewhere in Asia. In winter, I enjoy visiting capital cities and discovering their hidden corners, local cafes and trendy neighbourhoods. But wherever I am, I always try to experience the real and local side of each destination.

If I could get on a plane right now…
I would love to go to Costa Rica. Since the pandemic started, I haven’t been able to do a long-haul trip. I was only able to escape from Madrid on a couple of occasions but always within Spain. I find Costa Rica an exotic and colourful country with plenty of different animals’ species and stunning sunsets that I would love to discover!

Suitcase essentials
A travel guide so I don’t miss anything from the place I am visiting. You can also get good cultural tips.

My favourite hidden gem is… a lake in Thailand, at the Khao Sok National Park. We stayed overnight in a floating tent, exploring the spectacular surroundings by canoe and jungle trekking through a unique rainforest environment. It was just amazing!

My most memorable event moment was… an event full of magic and glamour that we organised at Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel. We converted the swimming pools into catwalks in which six internationally renowned designers presented their collections. It was one of the best summer fashion parties in Ibiza!

Do you have a mantra you live and work by?
An inspiring sentence for me is: “Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.”

When I’m not working, I’m most likely to be… enjoying a cold beer or a tasty wine with my friends in a nice local bar anywhere in the world.

When the pandemic is over, I am most looking forward to… travelling again. I miss travelling so much and meeting new people around the globe!  I miss live events, after a year and half you realise how important it is to see a face, a smile, a gesture. We work for and with people, so this is essential for us.