I have been in the Hotel Industry for 25 years.
I have worked in 10 hotels in Canada + Internationally.
As a Hotelier, I have lived in 2 countries (excluding Canada)
My first job/position in the hotel industry was Banquets – porter.
The number of times I have…
opened a hotel: 10
renovated a hotel: 4
removed a dead body: 3
escorted a guest off the property: 12
seen a ghost in a hotel: 1
kept “it” confidential: 10
driven a guest to the hospital: 0
dealt with an “Act of God”: 2
performed Housekeeping Duties (made beds, scrubbed toilets): 10
taken a sick day: 2
What does it take to be a GM? What’s involved day to day?
Team work and multitasking
The three things I can’t live without are:
-My GIRLS (17 and 23) they’ve had every birthday in one of these hotels…
-My andriod phone
-Sleep – minimum 6 hours
My caffeine fix: Coffee, 5 java’s
When I wake up, the first thing I think about is… revenue from the previous night!
My MOST
The Hotelier (or person) that has inspired me the most is Barry Massey – London, Ontario
My most embarrassing encounter with a hotel guest was rebating movies and them not knowing what WE know about their order!
My most famous hotel guest was Queen Elizabeth
My most bizarre special request from a hotel guest (or staff member) was …their horse would be staying with them in their suite!
Best CANADIAN hotel for a entertaining/fun/dirty/wild weekend…Metropolitan TO
Best CANADIAN hotel for a shopping trip: Chateau Champlain
Best CANADIAN hotel for business travel: Le Germain – Calgary
Best CANADIAN convention hotel: International TO
Best CANADIAN airport hotel: Fairmont Vancouver
Best CANADIAN resort: DeerHurst
Best RESTAURANT in a CANADIAN hotel: Charcut – Calgary
The best advice given to me…Trying to please everyone never works!
The Hotel amenity I can’t live without is coffee
The worst feeling in the world is stepping into cold water
If I could change one thing about the hotel industry, it would it be…Better internet connections at no cost.
If I could meet one person (alive or dead) it would it be…. Sir Richard Branson
If I had to do it all over again, I would… not change a thing! Have met incredible people (including my wife)…
I prefer…
Day over Night
Winter over Summer
West Coast over East Coast
Sunrise over Sunset
Quiet over Loud
Rock music over Classical
The “best hotel story” of my career:
Can my horse sleep with me? Winter – Residence Inn Calgary Airport guest was in town to pick up someone from the airport. Flight was delayed and guest couldn’t leave his horse in the trailer.
