Meet Elverte

A Heartist® Story from ibis Copacabana Posto 5, Brazil

To dedicate myself to my clients, that makes me very happy.

Elverte Lima Vieira – “Elvis”

Receptionist at ibis Copacabana Posto 5, Brazil

Starting Over: Elvis’ Second Act

Starting over at 55 years old in a new career and a new industry is no easy feat. But for Elverte Lima Vieira, better known by colleagues and guests as Elvis, it was the start of something extraordinary.

Today, Elvis has found new meaning behind the front desk of ibis Posto 5 in Copacabana. Every morning, he welcomes guests with warmth, patience, and a deep sense of purpose. “Being a Heartist® is to show who I am,” he says. “It’s about feeling the person in front of me, understanding who they are and who I am.”

For him, his job goes beyond hospitality. It’s a way of seeing and connecting with others ౼ with empathy, curiosity, and heart. “After the pandemic, people want to be more human with each other. We have lost that, and now we have to conquer it back,” he says.

At the front desk, Elvis does far more than check guests in and out. He listens, observes, and connects. “Being a Heartist® is about knowing how to welcome people, valuing the person you are receiving and understanding what they need in that moment,” he says.

His approach has made him a familiar and well-loved face at the hotel in just a few months. Guests remember him for his warmth and attention; his colleagues admire his dedication. “What motivates me the most is when a guest says, ‘Thank you for your service.’ That recognition makes my heart race,” he says. “It gives me energy and makes me feel useful.”

Elvis’s journey to ibis was more than a professional move. It was a personal revival. “Being chosen to work here at 55 years old was important for me,” he explains. “Other companies didn’t see me this way. I thought I was at the end of my career, but this company saw my passion and humanity. It revitalized me.”

That opportunity, he says, “gave me an injection of spirit.” Every day, he finds joy in making a difference and in the quiet satisfaction of knowing his work matters. “What gives me the most satisfaction is seeing the result of my work, the attention I give, and knowing that I make a difference. It makes me a very happy person.”

One encounter, in particular, left a lasting mark. A guest walked in looking for support . Elvis didn’t hesitate. He offered what he believes is at the heart of the job: a genuine welcome Later, she told him, “You didn’t just receive me, you welcomed me.”

“That word, ‘welcome,’ is very strong,” Elvis recalls. “It made me realize I am not just a receptionist, I’m a host and every person who walks through our doors deserves to feel that.