Hi FutureGM 
,
Guess it is hard to say, depends on the person you are, the hotel you work for, the way your carreer is advancing, etc. It took me 11 years before I started a position as GM in a 4 star hotel. After finishing my hotelschool management education I started at the Front Office, worked there for four years and after managing the desk for a year moved to a position at the sales department. Worked there on different positions and ended after five years as sales manager of the department. Then after two years working at overall hotel management and assisting the GM I was offered the GM position. But this is only my story and I have seen many examples with different routes and timescales. Hope this helps, good luck.
Taryn
