Hotel Lodging News

The latest GSS scores, (Guest Satisfaction Score) as reported by Best Western’s Customer Care Performance Report ending December 31, ranks the Best Western Old Colony as 32 out of 326 hotels in district 7. That puts the Old Colony in the Top 20% of those Best Westerns.

This rating is a testament to the dedication of service and the commitment to excellence that the staff at the Old Colony show every day. From the courteous shuttle drivers, the friendly staff at check-in, the remarkable “24 hour Open Snack Kitchen”, to the generous breakfast buffet in the morning, you will be treated as old friends.

Guests love the changes at Best Western Old Colony Inn located in Alexandria,VA. We’ve put in some flat panel Televisions, add ten new King Bedded rooms, and even add new bedding. Still, all the guests rave about is the Snack Kitchen.  Thats according to all of the guest comment cards that we have been receiving in the last two months.

There is no doubt that the “Snack Kitchen” added late last June is catching on fast.  While it has taken a while to let people know that it is at the Best Western Old Colony in Alexandria, VA they are definately coming back for more.  With the economy in a slump and area hotels mumbling that while business is not terrible, it is definately slower than this time last year, the Best Western Old Colony has business significantly stronger than this time last year.

 Paul Banigan, General Manager and part Owner of the hotel, says: “We think that our staff gives exceptional service.  We also have put together a great little boutique property in an exceptional location but I have to admit that the guests LOVE the Snack Kitchen.  It has been the primary reason for our growth while everyone else’s business is off.  The value perception is unbelievable and that is just how some of the guests react.”

With the opening of the Residence Inn at the Airport on December 23rd 2008 in Albuquerque NM, Lodging Host Hotel Corp has opened it’s first Marriott franchised product.  The hotel consists of 110 guest suites all of which have full cooking facilities.  Other amenities of the hotel include indoor pool, hot tub, exercise facility with equipment each with their own televisions, guest Market, guest laundry facilities, airport shuttle service, business center, meeting room to accommodate 40 persons and a Boardroom for 8 persons.

The hotel is a Generation 7.5 Residence Inn and incorporates the InnFusion Guestroom design of the new Generation 8 Residence Inn product.

Lodging Host Hotel Corp intends to develop 4 more Marriott products in the next 4 years and has executed franchises for a 75 room Fairfield Inn and Suites in Forney, Texas and a 110 suite Residence Inn in Longview Texas.  Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2009 on both of those hotels.

According to Kevin P. Hilchey, President of Lodging Host Hotel Corp “We will be developing other product as well during that time as the economy and lending environment allow.”

During the semi-annual meeting of all the Lodging Host Hotel Corp Management Team a break was taken from the training exercises and information exchanges to hold the Annual Awards Dinner. It was an enjoyable evening, during which the three Lodging Host annual employee awards were presented.

The first award presented was to the Lodging Host Hotel Corp Manager of the Year. It was presented in his absence to Lloyd Quinn, who had to miss the event due to infectious flu. As General Manager of the Hotel Phillips in Bartlesville, OK he has stepped into one of the most demanding roles in the company after proving himself at the Hampton Inn in Marble Falls, TX. Now running a full service, historic facility has allowed him to show what he can really do.

Second award given out was for Department Head of the Year. The award presented to Cary Johnson of Hampton Inn Hillsboro. Cary has been with the hotel prior to the opening in April 2007 and no one was surprised when he won the prestigious 2008 award. Cary’s dedication, work ethics, responsiveness to guests needs, and wonderful sense of humor were big factors in the decision by the Lodging Host Hotel Corp Board of Directors to bestow Cary with this honor.

And finally, the Big Winner with a trip and spending money on the line was the Employee of the Year Award. After much deliberation it was presented to Marsha Jess of the Hampton Inn on the Lake, Marble Falls, TX. Marsha has been working at the hotel for over seven years at the Front Desk. She is khown for her cheery demeanor with guests and for filling in whenever and wherever the hotel needs her.

We would all like to congratulate this year’s outstanding service people who were given the awards as well as all those who were nominated from their respective hotels. It is employees such as those that create the high level of guest service surrounding Lodging Host managed hotels.

In the month of September the three Hampton Inns run by Lodging Host, Hampton Inn Hillsboro TX, Hampton Inn Livingston TX and the Hampton Inn in Marble Falls TX ranked #1, #5 and #11 in the state of Texas.  This is a fantastic accomplishment by the three hotels and is based on Hilton’s SALT scores (Satisfaction and Loyalty Table) based on customer comment cards and Hilton inspections.

In addition The Hillsboro property won the Hilton 3rd Quarter Hampton Inn Hall of Fame award being ranked #33 in the entire Hilton system.

Lodging Host lost three hotels temporarily. Hurricane Ike hit TX and LA on September 12th 2008.  The Comfort Suites in La Porte, TX, the Hampton Inn in Livingston TX and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Livingston TX.  In addition the Hampton Inn in Hillsboro TX lost power briefly and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Marshall TX lost power for 2 days.

The Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Livingston sustained the most damage with water penetration to all guest rooms and public areas.  It should reopen late in the week of September 29th.  Mike Scavone headed up the efforts for the team.  The LHHC & hotel staff reacted quickly getting generators transported to the site for temporary power.  That provided enough electricity to allow lighting for crews to work, to do water extraction and power fans to lessen the growth of mold.  Outside contractors were secured immediately to replace carpet and padding, replace damaged sheetrock in walls and ceiling, paint and texture effected areas and eradicate mildew.  When power was restored the team was poised to move forward to minimize the loss created by Ike.

The Hampton Inn in Livingston sustained minor roof damages and water penetration only to a couple public space and a few guest rooms.  Again the team quickly moved to minimize damages and take in the remaining guests of the Holiday Inn Express that were displaced by the large amount of damage to that hotel and employee and their families displaced by the storm.  When the hotel got power back a couple of days later, the hotel quickly opened rooms and worked with the City of Livingston to house emergency crews working in the area.  The hotel opened the rest of it’s rooms the week of September 22nd even as repairs proceeded.

The Comfort Suites in La Porte TX was not as fast with power not restored until late in the week of September 22nd and access to the city restricted until early that same week.  The hotel sustained water damages to the first floor mostly due to the rising water.  But again the hotel and LHHC staff moved quickly to get repairs underway and reopened about 30 of their rooms later in the week of September 22nd, even as repairs continued, to provide much needed housing for emergency Utility crews doing repair work in surrounding communities.

The latest GSS scores, (Guest Satisfaction Score) as reported by Best Western’s Customer Care Performance Report ending July 31, ranks the Best Western Old Colony as 32 out of 326 hotels in district 7. That puts the Old Colony in the Top 20% of those Best Westerns.

This rating is a testament to the dedication of service and the commitment to excellence that the staff at the Old Colony show every day. From the courteous shuttle drivers, the friendly staff at check-in, the remarkable “24 hour Open Snack Kitchen”, to the generous breakfast buffet in the morning, you will be treated as old friends.

Paul Banigan,

General Manager

Guests love the changes at Best Western Old Colony Inn located in Alexandria,VA. We’ve put in some flat panel Televisions, add ten new King Bedded rooms, and even add new bedding. Still, all the guests rave about is the Snack Kitchen.  Thats according to all of the guest comment cards that we have been receiving in the last two months.

There is no doubt that the “Snack Kitchen” added late last June is catching on fast.  While it has taken a while to let people know that it is at the Best Western Old Colony in Alexandria, VA they are definately coming back for more.  With the economy in a slump and area hotels mumbling that while business is not terrible, it is definately slower than this time last year, the Best Western Old Colony has business significantly stronger than this time last year.

 Paul Banigan, General Manager and part Owner of the hotel, says: “We think that our staff gives exceptional service.  We also have put together a great little boutique property in an exceptional location but I have to admit that the guests LOVE the Snack Kitchen.  It has been the primary reason for our growth while everyone else’s business is off.  The value perception is unbelievable and that is just how some of the guests react.”

The Best Western Old Colony converts 10 of the double rooms to King Deluxe Rooms. We have answered the many requests of our guests wanting King size beds. We have gone above and beyond that request and added 32 inch flat panel televisions, all new furnishings and lighting, upgraded in-room guest amenities and bedding.

The remaining rooms will also be upgraded with new pillow top mattresses, new bedding to include duvets, new draperies and lighting.

The already highly rated breakfast buffet will also receive an international flair to accommodate our many travelers from abroad. This will include fresh deli meats, gourmet cheeses and breads, an oatmeal station with a variety of toppings, and more items to provide a healthier and fresher approach to starting your day.

Our complimentary 24 hour snack kitchen has become an overwhelmingly popular addition to our boutique hotel and will also see additional items that we will keep a secret for now. You will just have to come see us….because you would not believe it if I told you.