Meet the team

Romsel Senior Front Office Agent

Romsel is a Senior Front Office Agent in Randwick. She is originally from Cambodia but has been living in Sydney for the last 8 years.

With over 18 years experience, working in the Hotel Industry, Romsel previously worked in an international luxury hotel in Krong Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia and the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the seat of the ancient Khmer kingdom.

She speaks English but also French, Thaï and Cambodia's official language: Khmer.

When she is not at the front desk she raises her two daughters (7 and 5 yo) in the inner-eastern suburbs of Sydney.

In Randwick, she always recommends Choys to guests who enjoy Asian flavours and in particular their Noodle Soup.

Romsel enjoys being at the front desk as she likes talking with guests, sharing their stories, joys and worries, especially the hospital patients who come and stay for the proximity to the Randwick Hospital.

Coffee order: Mocca.

Soña Front Office Manager

Potts Point Front Office Manager Soña is originally from Slovakia. She arrived in Sydney 8 years ago and instantly fell in love with the beautiful nature, laid back lifestyle and pleasant climate.

She studied librarianship at high school and banking at university, followed by different roles, always related to customer service in some way. She started working with Sydney Lodges in 2014. Apart from her native Slovak language, she speaks fluent Czech and English of course! She also studied German and Russian at school. "They are a bit rusty now but I’m hoping to find time to improve them in the future!"

When she is not at the front desk, Soña loves travelling, "if I’m not roaming yet another new country you can find me busy planning my next trip!" so she always has great advice to our overseas guests as she knows what is important when travelling.

Her favourite food spot in Potts Point village is the Italian @friggitoria just across the road from our Bayswater property. "It is a friendly little place, perfect for a tasty and quick meal. It is also well priced. You have to try their Arancini! They are delicious and crispy and make a perfect meal when you just want something small but filling instead of a big lunch!"

Soña thoroughly enjoys meeting guests from different countries. "Getting to know various cultures and having the opportunity to come across some very special people that I would not have met if I did not work at the front desk."

Coffee order: Cappucino 1 sugar

Queenie Front Office Agent

Queenie is a Front Office Agent in Randwick. She is 23 yo and is originally from the Philippines, General Santos City. She has been in Australia for almost 2 years now and is studying a Master in Social Work. She speaks English, Filipino and the 2nd most spoken language in the Philippines: Tagalog (that means "native form the river").

When she is not studying or working, Queenie enjoys the beach, trekking and singing.

Like many other Randwick staff members she enjoys @burger10 and recommends the 'Cheesy Bacon' with sweet potato fries.

She enjoys working at the front desk as it is all about communicating with a wide variety of people. She listens to stories and feels it will help her future professional skills as a social worker, especially with guests coming to Randwick for a hospital visit as it is never an easy time.

Coffee Order: tea with milk and 2 sugars (Filipino style!)

Louis Front Office Agent

Meet our Aussie-born team member Louis who works as a Front Office Agent in Randwick. As a young teenager he lived abroad, both in the UK and New Zealand before returning to Sydney and speaks a titbit of French (that he would love to take further!)

On his free time this autodidact loves reading, mainly fiction and classics like George Orwell's popular 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'. Also a cinephile, his favourite movie of all times would probably be Pulp Fiction.

Louis's recommended place to eat in the neighbourhood is Burger Barrel on the way down to Coogee Beach. "The burgers are absolutely spectacular!"

Louis enjoys the relation with his co-workers and the steady-flow of working at the front desk, meeting new people every day.

 Coffee order: Latte

Zafar Front Office Agent

Zafar is a Front Office Agent in Randwick. He comes from Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, and has been in Sydney for a year, living close to Maroubra. He has an MBA in Human Resources and used to work with Aid agencies, helping refugees and people affected by the war. He came to Sydney following his wife, who got a scholarship to study a Master of Development Studies at UNSW.

Zafar speaks 4 languages: English, Urdu (Pakistan's national language - also called Hindu in India), Pashtu (Afghanistan's national language) and Darri (Persian language).

When he is not at the front desk, he loves walking, hiking, watching movies, sports and is a big cricket fan! He already has his tickets for Pakistan/Australia at the @ourscg.

His favourite food joint in Randwick is @burger10 (try the German Königsberger!) and in Maroubra, go to @infernogrillmaroubra for a good steak.

He enjoys his work as he gets to meet new people daily and also love a good challenge: being in tough situations and finding solutions!

Coffee order: Cappuccino 2 sugars.

Maria Front Office Agent

Maria is from Košice, a city in eastern Slovakia, close to the Hungarian border. She has been in Australia for 5 years and lives in Kogarah, south of Sydney. She is married and has 2 children that are now young adults. She has a Master of Economics and worked for over 20 years in accounting and banking. She speaks 6 languages: Hungarian, Russian, English, Czech, Slovak and German! (the highest record in our very international team!)

When she is not at the front desk, she enjoys spending time with her family, surfing or going to the gym. She is passionate about architecture and she is learning the piano.

She likes exploring Sydney and shares with you a little secret: did you know that Sydney Town Hall proudly houses a 9,000-pipe Grand Organ which was the largest of its kind in the world when it was installed in 1890 and is still now of great historical significance? You can go and enjoy free lunchtime concerts in the heart of the city, throughout the year, performed by some of Australia’s best young organists.

Maria enjoys working at the front desk where she can practice her English and have fun meeting new people every day. She prefers the relaxed atmosphere of Randwick rather than working in the busy CBD.

Coffee order: Italian Expresso 100% Arabica.

Amélie Marketing & PR Manager

Amélie is French, South African and is now proud to call herself Aussie too!

She joined our team a year ago as our Marketing & PR Manager (part-time) after more than a decade in the sport industry. When she is not in the Potts Point head office she works as a Yoga Teacher and Childbirth Doula and is passionate about environmental sustainability.

As a vegetarian, she recommends Jeremy & Sons (40 Bayswater Rd)'s yummy mushroom toastie for brekkie and the local health food store Health Nuts (Kings Cross Centre). "For dinner in the neighbourhood, my favourites are the famous plant-based Yellow (57 MacLeay St) for special occasions or the more bohemian Govindas (112 Darlinghurst Rd) that offers a cinema/dinner package with a vegetarian buffet and then a movie where you kick off your shoes and lie on a sofa!"

Amélie enjoys working for a small family business and fell in love with the vibrant Potts Point area. "Don't miss our walking tour. This neighbourhood has such a rich and interesting history! Even locals don't know all the hidden stories behind those streets!"

Coffee order: black tea for me, please!

Libby Sales & Partnerships Manager

Libby is our Sales & Partnerships Manager (part-time) and joined us in early 2019.

She is a "country girl at heart", originally from Tamworth NSW, Country Music Capital of Australia and now lives in beautiful Bondi Beach with her family. "I am a 6th generation Aussie with my ancestors arriving in on the First and Second Fleets, one as a Naval Captain, the other a Convict!"

Initially studying Photography, Libby fell in love with the hospitality industry working in hotels while travelling the world. Back in Australia, she worked in marketing and events.

When she is not in Sydney Lodges HQ, she loves walking her dog, going out to local restaurants and supporting Sydney's fringe theatre. "My favourite walk is the Hermitage Foreshore, starting at Rose Bay and finishing at Watsons Bay for a vino as the sun goes down."

In summer Libby loves The Butler Sydney (123 Victoria Street) "it has a real Sydney Lifestyle feel about it, plus great city and bridge views. The shared plates menu is full of fresh Aussie produce, I love the Kingfish Ceviche!" In winter she usually heads to Dulcie's Kings Cross (44B Darlinghurst Road), a cosy 1930's bohemian bar full of unique Aussie inspired cocktails. "Try the Carousel Club which tastes just like a Pavlova! (Australia's favourite dessert).

Libby loves meeting new people and chatting all about Sydney Lodges and the area. "Plus we have a fun team at HQ."

Coffee order: skim latte in her own keep cup!