Marina Zambujo

MANAGER, THE LISBOANS

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Marina is the hotel manager at The Lisboans, a wonderful boutique hotel that we partner with in Lisbon. Born in Mozambique, of Portuguese and Chinese origins, Marina moved to Lisbon in 2002 to follow her studies in Communications. After finishing her degree, she worked in advertising, and eventually found her way to the Lisboans. When she’s not there, she’s practicing ballet, writing songs for her solo album (so cool!), or seeking out new restaurants around the city for guests like us to enjoy. We love Marina, and know you will too during your stay with us at The Lisboans.

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1. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE JOINING THE TEAM AT THE LISBOANS?

I worked in an advertising agency for 10 years, as an account manager/supervisor, and was in need of a change. The dynamics and lack of interest or willingness to invest in real creative ideas by brands and clients nowadays became frustrating and disappointing. Isaac, Tânia’s husband, was my colleague at the agency, and when I heard about The Lisboans, a baby-project at that time, I felt compelled to ask them to join the team and feed my love for traveling and hospitality.

2. WHAT DOES “HOME” MEAN TO YOU? HOW DO YOU STRIVE TO MAKE YOUR GUESTS FEEL AT HOME DURING THEIR STAY?

The essence of “home”, for me, is being comfortable, being ones’s self. And at The Lisboans, the fact that the guest stays in an apartment, allows greatly for them to feel at ease, and take their time or space. We also try to avoid too many formalities, and genuinely want to know each of them, talk, exchange experiences, find out their interests so we can also give them the insights and suggestions that can fit them better. Ultimately, I’m hosting and advising potential new acquaintances and friends, and not necessarily mere clients.

3. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LOVE TO STEAL FROM THE ROOMS AT THE LISBOANS? WHY?

There are a handful of items I think are very well chosen and I wish I had in my own home: the colorful tailor-picked kitchen tiles; the blankets from Alentejo; or the ceramic lights, in pastel colors, by Patrícia Lobo.

4. WHAT DOES A DAY OFF LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

It is common to combine 2 or 3 of these: eat lunch at a new or favourite place; go to the cinema; see a live concert (more regularly at Fábrica do Braço de Prata, a cultural association/bar with different activities and bands playing); good city walks; and if possible, some swimming. My days, on or off, are usually pretty packed, and I tend to squeeze cultural activities even after work.

5. IF YOU COULD HAVE LUNCH WITH ANY THREE WOMEN WHO INSPIRE YOU, WHO WOULD THEY BE - AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

I’m not a very star-stricken person, but it would be lovely to invite dancer Tamara Rojo, director Lulu Wang, or writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for lunch. The first one because she’s one of the best and has amazing ballet feet. Lulu, because there’s a lot I’d like to discuss with her as an Asian descendent, and about representation. Chimamanda, to hear her aspirations towards the African continent. If each or all of them met me in Lisboa, I’d take them to Flor da Laranja, to a one-woman-show lunch with the Moroccan chef/owner Rabea Esserghini.

6. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE? WHAT MADE IT MEMORABLE?

I cherish every travel I’m able to make, but for now, Peru, Morocco and New York City have created more rooted memories. I’ll highlight Morocco, just because I felt very in sync with the Merzouga desert, its quietness and immaculate visual. At some point, between the 9 times I went there, I even thought I could have a small riad of my own, to stay a few months, every year.