PALM BEACH — Adela Orman had been a fixture in the Housekeeping Department of the Playa Linda Beach Resort for over 30 years before her retirement. Her strong personality and caring persona made an impression, and she has many fans among both Resort guests and colleagues. Shared ties between Adela and her Resort family have remained strong, leading to a recent visit to her home, in a show of support, by Executive Housekeeper Ingrid Todd, Operations Director Sulaika Kelly and General Manager Peter van Grinsven.
Her retirement in 2020 was the result of health-related issues, but her indelible personality has kept her very much in the hearts and minds of her Playa Linda family. Stories are affectionately retold of her time at the Playa Linda and of her unassailable spirit.
Adela took on the role of a fulltime housekeeper in 1988, at a young age, but with a strong determination to overcome all challenges. Her persistence and willingness to offer her best as well as become her best self was evident right from the start.
“One of her challenges was reading and writing, but she took that on, working at the Playa Linda while also taking classes after work and on weekends, and she stuck with it for three years until she reached her goal,” explains Executive Housekeeping Ingrid Todd in admiration of her friend and former colleague. “After finishing that goal, she made another, promising to complete the walk from San Nicolas to the Playa Linda. She successfully met that challenge as well, with friends, family and work colleagues more than happy to cheer her on along the route.”
Her career at the Playa Linda was similarly marked by high points, including winning the Award of Excellence, through the government’s then Quality Assurance Foundation. She has always remained a genuine, forthright personality but had transformed an admittedly gruff exterior and steadfastly refined her ability for hospitality and was often proactive and thoughtful in meeting guests’ needs.
“Adela, rightfully so, claims the title of ‘Queen of Playa Linda forever’, and it is true,” comments Operations Director Sulaika Kelly, “Her love for the Playa Linda and its guests and colleagues is unprecedented. She enjoyed her job immensely and it showed in the numerous rave reviews she received in guest surveys. Even five years on, we still have guests asking about her.”
The love Adela demonstrated every day on the jobhas been wholeheartedly reciprocated.
Executive staff was happy to personally visit Adela and reaffirm the support and affection she still holds with her Playa Linda family. Adela remains an example of just how one person can create positive outcomes, despite challenges, when driven by strength, humor and resilience. In appreciation for allaspects of her unique personality, Playa Linda is proud to have her remain apart of its extended Resort family.
