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BYAlbert BarraHospitality · Strategy · Leadership · Marketing
Blas de Lezo lost a leg, an eye and the use of one arm. Life took parts of his body, but never his spirit. In hospitality, when you open a hotel from scratch, build a new team or face devastating criticism on social media, it can feel as though essential pieces are missing—yet you still have to move forward. That is when I think of Blas: with limited sight and a broken body, he saw more clearly and acted more decisively than many others. What moves me most about Blas de Lezo is his humility after victory. Unlike Vernon, who celebrated too soon with a commemorative medal, Blas simply did his job. He was not looking for recognition; he was focused on doing what was right. In hospitality, the best front desk agents, housekeeping supervisors who deliver flawless rooms during periods of extreme occupancy, and waiters who handle difficult guests with a smile are today’s Blas de Lezos. They do not seek awards—they want the hotel to run well. Because, as he taught us, what matters is not simply winning, but how you win.
I have always believed that history is the best teacher we can have, and I admit that, among all its branches, military history has held a special fascination for me since I was young. There is something irresistible to me about those pages filled with battles, impossible decisions and leaders who stood firm in the face of adversity. Every campaign, every siege and every tactical manoeuvre holds lessons in courage, resilience and decision-making at critical moments. Perhaps that is why those who know me well, and perhaps those who read me regularly, will have noticed that this passion runs through many of my reflections on the world of hospitality.
Because, ultimately, managing a hotel is more like commanding an army than it may seem at first glance. Every day we fight our own battles: the struggle to deliver the best service, the competition to win guests, and the logistical challenges that arise when the hotel is at full occupancy. This is where my other great passion comes in: strategy. Understanding the terrain, knowing your guests as if they were your allies and your competitors as if they were your rivals, and knowing when to advance or when to fall back, are skills born both on the battlefield and at a hotel front desk in the height of high season.
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