Sometimes, life’s paths don’t just lead to new jobs, but also back to what you truly love doing. That’s exactly what happened to our new colleague, Merel. With experiences spanning the Netherlands, the Hochsauerland region, and a campervan trip around Iceland, she brings not only a wealth of experience but also a healthy dose of curiosity and drive.
We asked around.
Tell me: Where are you from, and what did you do before joining HotelNetSolutions?
I’m originally from the Netherlands. In 2008, I moved to Germany on my own to complete my studies as part of a year-long internship. And as often happens, I just ended up staying. I’ve now been living in the beautiful Hochsauerland district for five years.
Professionally, I’ve been juggling two roles recently. On the one hand, I worked in customer support for a PMS provider, and on the other, I spent five years supporting a small, family-run hotel chain as an executive assistant. This gave me great insight into hotel operations—a good mix of technology, organization, and day-to-day hotel life.
What attracted you to your new role at HotelNetSolutions?
Definitely the variety. No two days are alike; every call and every email brings new challenges. That’s exactly what I love: diving deep into topics, understanding how processes work behind the scenes, and developing solutions together with clients.
And to be honest: I missed the support a bit. Six months ago, I helped oversee a PMS migration for three hotels and worked closely with the project managers. That’s when it dawned on me: “This is exactly where I want to work again, on the other side, where I can provide direct assistance.”
What exactly will you be doing here?
I’m starting as a Project Manager for Customer Support & Services. That means I’ll be handling new integrations, setting up interfaces for new and existing customers, and, of course, providing support whenever questions arise or things don’t go as planned.
In short: I’m the link between the client and the technical side—from the first email to the final implementation. And I love it when everything runs smoothly in the end and the clients are satisfied.
Now, let’s step away from the screen for a moment: What should we know about you on a personal level?
When I’m not working, you’ll find me out and about or in the kitchen. I love reading, trying out new recipes, sometimes getting really creative and taking long walks with our dogs.
And then there’s traveling. In September 2025, I fulfilled a long-held dream: I traveled to Iceland on my own, rented a small campervan, and drove all the way around the island. Pure nature, peace and quiet, adventure, and a bit of freedom—the kind you can only experience that way.
My small beekeeping operation is a rather unusual hobby. I don’t just focus on traditional honey, but also on beeswax, mead, and honey liqueur. It’s fascinating how much patience and care goes into it, and at the same time, it’s a great way to clear my head.
Great to have you here! Here’s to lots of exciting projects, collaborations, support cases, and of course, a little honey. 🍯
