Danica P.

About Danica P.

I am a senior operations leader with experience leading complex, multi-property hospitality and experience-driven businesses. I currently oversee hotel operations at LEGOLAND California Resort (Merlin Entertainments), with accountability for two themed hotels, 500 rooms, and cross-functional teams spanning Rooms, Engineering, Food & Beverage, and Guest Experience.My strength is operational leadership at scale. I bring clarity to complex environments through disciplined execution, data-informed decision-making, and a strong focus on people and performance. My background includes operational transformation, capital planning, and technology enablement, all anchored in delivering consistent results and sustainable growth.Recognized as a Woman on the Rise Honoree, I am driven by building strong teams, elevating guest and customer experiences, and leading organizations through meaningful change.

Experience

1. Head of Hotel Operations (Director of Hotel Operations)

   Legoland California Resort

   Jul 2020 — Present · Carlsbad, CA, US

   Oversee all operational aspects of LEGOLAND’s two themed hotels, managing employees across Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, F&B, Retail, and Guest Services.Lead hotel strategy, budget, and performance across 500 rooms.Drive large-scale room refurbishment and retheming projects, including the reimagining of family suites and immersive themed experiences that align with the LEGO brand.Oversee lobby refurbishment and guest arrival experience enhancements to elevate first impressions and brand storytelling.Partner cross-functionally with global Merlin leadership on capital projects, digital transformation, and guest experience innovations.Champion modernization initiatives including OPERA Cloud migration, PMS integrations, in-room technology upgrades, and sustainability measures.Drive colleague engagement and accountability through leadership development programs and continuous improvement culture.Improved NPS, staff retention, and ancillary revenue through targeted service recovery and upsell strategies.

Education

• MiraCosta College

  Certificate, Hospitality Administration/Management

  2020 — 2021

• Arizona State University

  Communication and Media Studies

Skills

• Sales
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Event Planning
• Teamwork
• Performance Motivation
• Public Speaking
• Community Outreach
• Team Leadership
• Organization Skills
• Interviewing
• Coaching
• Money Management
• Event
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Leadership
• Social Media
• Marketing
• Salesforce.com
• Cold Calling
• Social Media Marketing
• Marketing Automation
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email Marketing
• Finance
• Cash Management
• Work Life Balance
• Time Management
• Event Management