Students Check Out the Hotel Business

Leanne Hendriks learned firsthand Tuesday how difficult room service delivery can be. As she made her way through a maze of hotel rooms and gardens at the 26-acre Hyatt Newporter hotel, the milk and cream on her tray kept spilling.

“It’s really hard to carry something in such a small container without having it tip,” said Leanne, 10. “You always have to put the cream in front of the milk [on the tray] because the milk is taller.”

She was one of two dozen Newport Beach fifth-graders who learned the ropes of the hotel business as they spent the morning working as bellhops, chefs, room service attendants, receptionists and gardeners.

The students, all from Newport Heights Elementary, took part in hotel chain’s annual Camp Hyatt Career Day, which included nearly 2,500 fifth-graders at 83 hotels nationwide.

At the Hyatt Newporter, the fifth-graders were excited about their day out of the classroom and about their chance to learn new skills.

At the valet parking area, Gavin Schmidt and Tyson Murillo got a lesson on earning bigger tips, even if they could not drive the cars themselves.

“We get bigger tips if we park the car closer and get it back to people quick,” said Gavin, who collected nearly $3 in tips.

In the kitchen, Clark Brooks and Brandon Lee, outfitted in chef hats and robes, tested their baking and cake decorating skills. They prepared a triple-layer chocolate mousse cake with raspberries and boysenberries.

The youngsters labored until noon, when they sat down to a barbecue lunch and tasted the freshly decorated cake.