Belonging, Bold Moves & Lifestyle Luxury with Diego Padula

From assistant waiter setting up coffee breaks at 4 a.m. in Uruguay to leading Honduras’s first international five-star luxury resort, Diego Padula's hospitality journey is defined by courage, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in people. As General Manager of Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, Diego brings together global experience, local pride, and lifestyle luxury to create something far greater than a hotel - a legacy. 

He recently shared his story on IHG’s Leading a New Era podcast, hosted by David Littlewood and Eunice Clements-Tweedie, taking you behind the scenes of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels and into the minds of the General Managers who lead them.  

So what does it take to lead a landmark luxury resort on a Caribbean island — and what lessons can aspiring General Managers take from Diego’s journey? 

 

How Serving Coffee and Playing Football Shaped a Future GM

 

Diego Padula's journey into hospitality began earlier than most. At just 12 years old, his mother’s colleague - a hospitality lecturer in Uruguay - recognised his potential and suggested he consider the industry. That idea stayed with him. Diego went on to study hospitality and took his first role as an assistant waiter in banqueting, setting up coffee breaks at 4 a.m. “I started from the bottom,” he says. “Putting coffee breaks together early in the morning.” 

At the same time, Diego was pursuing football at a competitive level, even playing international matches. Eventually, he reached a crossroads. “I realised I was better at putting coffee than scoring goals,” he laughs. Hospitality won - but football never left him. The lessons of teamwork, positioning, and adaptability continue to shape his leadership today. “It’s exactly like football. You put the right players in the right positions. If something isn’t working, you change the strategy.” Much of Diego’s early career was rooted in food and beverage, with senior roles across Spain, Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico. Over time, comfort set in - and he knew it was time for change.

A bold move to Oman, stepping into an Executive Assistant Manager role, pushed him far beyond F&B into rooms, sales, and full hotel leadership. “I was terrified of rooms,” he admits. Supported by strong mentors, Diego grew into the role, a career-defining leap that shaped the GM he is today. 

 

Creating Careers, Culture and a True Sense of Belonging

 

For Diego Padula, leadership has always been shaped by mentorship and the courage to take bold steps. One mentor in particular, Miguel Pineda, played a defining role - encouraging Diego to move forward even when doubt set in. “He told me, ‘You are ready. You will learn. Don’t worry,’” Diego recalls. That reassurance became a turning point, reinforcing his belief that growth comes from stepping into the unknown. Today, Diego carries that lesson into his own leadership, making development a priority for his teams. At Kimpton Grand Roatán, he is clear that hospitality is not just a job, but a career. In just 18 months, the resort has celebrated more than 40 internal promotions - a result he considers one of his proudest achievements.

Leading Honduras’s first international five-star luxury hotel also brings a deeper responsibility. With 260 of 265 colleagues hired locally, Kimpton Grand Roatán is a symbol of opportunity and pride for the island. Diego believes while luxury standards can be taught, true hospitality cannot. “They have the warmth, the smile, the pride - that’s something you can’t train.” 

His leadership at the hotel is grounded in visibility, trust, and empowerment: 

• Creating open forums with frontline teams to encourage honest dialogue 

• Giving leaders ownership, rather than centralising authority 

• Ensuring every colleague feels seen, heard, and valued 

“That’s how belonging is built,” Diego says — and how great hotels are led.  

 

The Spirit of Kimpton Grand Roatán 

Kimpton Grand Roatán is luxury that breathes: a beachfront resort with the world’s second-largest coral reef literally steps away, framed by daily sunrises and the island’s unforgettable sunsets. But for Diego, the hotel’s true distinction isn’t only its setting - it’s the personality and purpose stitched into every guest moment. Here, lifestyle luxury means authenticity: curated playlists (80s and house favourites), relaxed beachfront bars at golden hour, and experiences designed to feel human, not formal. “Lifestyle luxury lets you bring your whole self to work,” Diego says. “When you belong, you don’t feel like you’re working — you’re just being yourself.” 

That spirit extends beyond the property through partnerships like the ALF (Bond Life Foundation), leadership teams volunteer regularly - painting homes, supporting local causes – to give back to their beautiful community. Those initiatives, Diego believes, build pride and leave a lasting legacy. “We’re here to leave a legacy,” he says - one that elevates the destination, empowers local people, and keeps the resort rooted in meaning long after guests have gone home. 

 

Diego’s Advice for the Next Generation of Leaders 

Looking back, Diego Padula's advice to his younger self is grounded in self-awareness and growth. “Build your strengths, but prepare earlier for what comes next,” he says. He encourages aspiring leaders to seek cross-training, ask for exposure beyond their comfort zones, and embrace uncertainty rather than fear it. For Diego, progress has never come from waiting to feel ready. “You’re never fully ready,” he reflects. “But when you take the step, you learn - and that’s where the magic happens.” 

Diego’s journey - from early mornings setting up coffee breaks to leading a landmark luxury resort - is a powerful reminder that great leadership is built through bold decisions, humility, and a genuine belief in people. His story shows that careers in hospitality are not defined by titles alone, but by courage, mentorship, and a deep sense of belonging. 

At IHG, we’re shaping the future of luxury and lifestyle hospitality - and we’re always looking for leaders ready to step into their next chapter. If you’re interested in General Manager opportunities across iconic destinations, explore our GM career openings and discover how you can build a career with purpose, just like Diego. And to hear his story in full, tune in to the latest episode of Leading a New Era.