I have been in the Hotel Industry for 20 years.
I have worked in 5 hotels in Canada + Internationally.
As a Hotelier, I have lived in 3 countries (excluding Canada).
My first job/position in the hotel industry was as an auditor, filer in Accounting Department with the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver.
The number of times I have…
opened a hotel: 2
renovated a hotel: 2
removed a dead body: 0
escorted a guest off the property: 7
seen a ghost in a hotel: 0
kept “it” confidential: 99
driven a guest to the hospital: 0
dealt with an “Act of God”: 2
performed Housekeeping Duties (made beds, scrubbed toilets): 55
taken a sick day: 0
What does it take to be a GM in a mid-size, mid-price, limited service property?
“General” to me means I am universal, all-purpose, wide-ranging, broad, and common. I wear many hats, practicing Revenue Management, PR, Marketing, Psychiatry, Employee Relations, Counselling Mind Reading, Computer Tech, Property Management, Purchasing, Sales Calls, Hiring, Training, Firing, dealing with crazies, helping Maintenance, Meetings, Networking, dealing with guests issues and getting back to everyone that needs to be getting back to.
The three things I can’t live without are:
1-Emails
2-Property Management
3- System Files/papers
My caffeine fix: Coffee
On a good day 2 cups, bad day 5 cups.
When I wake up, the first thing I think about is it’s going to be a great day 🙂
The Hotelier (or person) that has inspired me the most is Isadore Sharp (Four Seasons Hotels).
My most embarrassing encounter with a hotel guest was when a bee got into my pants and stung me while I was in the process of doing a check-in..The rest, I’d rather not say as I had to take my pants off “almost” in front of the guest.
My most famous hotel guests were; Catriona Le May Doan, Olympic Champion Speed Skater. She may not be the most famous but certainly most memorable. I’ve had encounters with famous people while working in a hotel. I was responsible for the Entertainment Market so I’ve worked personally with Morgan Freeman, Tim Robins, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise etc.
My most bizarre special request from a hotel guest.
The guest filed a complaint that the room they were checked into (which happened to be an upgraded room with jetted tub), the tub has holes…and therefore must be broken.The holes they were referring to were the jets in the tub.
