Meet our team of professionals

Héctor Rodríguez Ladeveze, a veteran of the luxury hospitality industry with over 25 years of senior management experience, joined The Santa Maria Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort, in February 2021. As general manager, Héctor oversees the management of Panama's only urban resort, including hospitality services and facility management for the Santa Maria Country Club and Santa Maria Golf Club.

This unique destination is located a few minutes drive from both the airport and downtown and includes 182 rooms and suites, 7 restaurants and bars, the Spa at Santa Maria, 17,000 square feet of meeting space, a Jack Nicklaus-designed par-72 golf course, a state-of-the-art gym, outdoor pool and gardens, and a full range of sports facilities from tennis courts to soccer fields.

Born in Spain, educated in the U.S. and U.K., and an École Hôtelière de Lausanne graduate, he has continued exploring the world throughout his career. Before his current position at The Santa Maria, Héctor led the opening of the first lifestyle golf and beach resort in Costa Rica, W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal in 2018, establishing it as a bold interpretation of this lush and natural location. Before coming to Latin America, he spent 20 years holding numerous leadership positions in Paris, Greece, Dubai, New York, and Spain with Starwood, Marriott, and Jumeirah hotels.

Throughout his years of service, Héctor has gained proven leadership experience during 10 openings and renovations in hospitality operations, positioning, sales, and associate development.

Héctor received a bachelor's degree from the École Hôtelière de Lausanne. Before entering the hotel industry, Héctor studied film and drama and remains committed to creating a memorable show.

Héctor now resides in Panama with his wife Marta and their children Elena, Alejandro, and Darío. In his free time, you’ll find him exploring trails with his family in search of a new place, mingling with the locals, and tasting what makes Panama the most underrated and worthy country to discover in Latin America.

"I am excited to be here at such an exciting time for Panama and look forward to continuing to contribute to the country's positioning as a premier destination and showcasing the many reasons it offers a 360-degree experience to anyone who visits.