Cornelia Samara, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

“Here at our hotel our team interaction is genuine, not practiced, and it comes from the hear
Cornelia Samara

Cornelia Samara, Regional VP & General Manager for Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, Philadelphia’s first-and-only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel, shared the story behind her title with us on August 21, 2022.

A true global citizen, Samara was born in Jerusalem as a German national with Palestinian roots and grew up immersed in the hospitality industry. Her family owned a travel agency and led tours of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, and from an early age, she remembers traveling to the airport to greet arriving guests and going to dinners with tour groups.

“Hospitality runs in my blood,” says Samara, reflecting not only on her family history in the industry but also building a sense of community in and outside the hotel. “A hotel is so much more than just a place to stay. It is an opportunity to create beautiful experiences and Four Seasons has done that for generations of Philadelphians. I’m proud to be part of a team that is tightly woven into the fabric of this community.”

A passionate art lover, the vast collections found at the Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Museum of Art drew her to the City of Brotherly Love. Samara used to enjoy oil painting and pottery, but with time now tight, she enjoys experiencing art by going to museums and galleries often. “Love for the arts is ingrained in me, and I’m thrilled to have the masters at my fingertips. I love having the opportunity to explore the multiple galleries throughout Philadelphia.”

A graduate of Hawaii Pacific University, the past ten years of her career as general manager, have been focused on flagship properties. In 2018 she joined Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club as General Manager. In Philadelphia, oversees hundreds of Hotel team members and is happy to be working with the award-winning team.

SUE SAYS

“Growing up in Jerusalem into a family that led tours of the Holy Land, hospitality is in Cornelia’s blood. Her father taught her the importance of treating people with kindness and how to create experiences that they would enjoy. It seems inevitable that she would end up a leader in the field. Tune in to learn how Cornelias consistent devotion to her work caught the eyes of her colleagues who would eventually entrust her with leading new teams.”