A Day in My Life: Edinburgh Castle Hotel

Hello everyone. My name is James, and I'm the general manager here at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel in Scotland. My working hours are usually nine to five, but my daily routine is never boring. Every morning at eight o'clock, I get to work and meet my assistant Sarah in the lobby. We check the bookings, and then I have a quick meeting with the marketing department.

In the afternoon, things get really busy. I make phone calls to our suppliers in London, answer dozens of emails, and sometimes help the receptionist when guests arrive with problems. From time to time, things go wrong with the rooms, but our team always fixes them fast.

My boss, Olivia, often visits the hotel twice a week to check our finance numbers and sales reports. She's tough, but she's fair. We usually have lunch together in the staff kitchen and talk about new plans.

At the weekend, the hotel is always full of tourists, so I'm hardly ever late on Saturdays and Sundays. People ask me how I stay calm when the front desk is full of angry guests and phones ring non-stop.

Well, my secret is simple. Every single day at three o'clock, I leave my desk and spend five minutes alone on the roof of the hotel. I look at the old city, drink a cup of tea, and breathe. That short break gives me energy for the rest of the day.

Read again and choose the right answer

What is James's job at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel?

• General manager
• Marketing assistant
• Receptionist

Who does James meet every morning in the lobby?

• His boss Olivia
• His assistant Sarah
• The suppliers

How often does Olivia visit the hotel?

• Every day
• Twice a week
• Hardly ever

What is James's secret to staying calm?

• A five-minute break on the roof
• An extra cup of coffee
• Sleeping during lunch

Sources: photo by Daniel Reynaga on Pexels