KGH Royal Fitness Challenge Spinoff Mini-series

On June 13^th, the San Francisco cluster sales office was about to experience an epic challenge so large that it will be remembered throughout the annals of the hotel’s history.  The King George has offered the Royal Fitness Challenge for all its employees to provide fitness, nutrition, and weight loss tips, which has been a success from the housekeeping team to the front office staff.  This time, two members of the Sales Team decided to step up their game and put their money where their mouth is.   Sanjay Stokes and Janel Barnes stepped into their General Managers office and settled on a bet to see who could lose the most weight.  The bet was to last 6 weeks until August 5 and the prize for the winner was a $150 for a massage.  As soon as Bertrand approved the terms of the wager, sides were drawn within the hotel and the battle begun.  

Much like Team Jacob vs. Team Edward, people divided their allegiances between Team Sanjay and Team Janel.  Supporters of Team Janel would call Sanjay up and ask him if he wanted to eat Lasagna or eat any candy bars.  He stood strong in the face of adversity and emphatically said no! Emily and Vien would not break his spirits.  People who were with Team Sanjay would buy cupcakes and donuts for Janel but she would refuse to eat them, no matter how delicious they looked.  The two were going strong, the competitiveness blazing from across the sales office. 

As the weeks flew off the calendar, so did their weight as they continued to drop pounds.  The two of them each had long weekends of fun for the 4^th of July.  They kept their composure; they didn’t stuff themselves with food, the libations did now flow as freely as they once did.  Even their exercise regimen increased.  Sanjay conquered a boot camp session with Bertrand that involved running stairs and insane amounts of pushups.  Janel would go on 3 mile walk/run/window shopping adventures through San Francisco for exercise. She also went to Crunch Fitness, counted her calories every single day, and went to a Giants game, and didn’t even touch a beer, hot dog, or more beer.   After their exercise session and controlled eating, each weigh in session they were constantly in the top 10 for losing weight. 

Finally August 5^th arrived, the big day. The 6 weeks were completed as the King George managers watched a noticeably thinner Sanjay and Janel step on the scale for their final weigh in.  You could cut the tension with a knife.  Bertrand watched on as each of them stepped on the scale and jotted down the final numbers.  While they are both winners for losing many pounds, there can be only one winner for this challenge.  Only one person can win that $150 massage and the bragging rights forever.  The winner of this competition, lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks in the final homestretch to take home the money is Sanjay Stokes!!!! Janel, sulked for a day but afterwards she was up for another challenge, already scheming of a way to pay him back.  Expect another blog to appear soon!

Congratulations Bertrand!

WE have another winner of the Greystone Customer Service Award! Bertrand Newson, General Manager of the King George Hotel has received a perfect score on his 360 reviews from his staff. This is really something the King George Hotel can be proud of!

Bertrand came to the hotel in 2010, at a period when the King George Hotel was on the lookout for their next great leader, and here was where we met Mr. Newson! The staff was so excited to have a Professional Competitive BBQer leading the helm, but there was much more to learn about Bertrand Newson. Bertrand is a pro-active leader, who listens and has created a lot of camaraderie between the staff. Bertrand does a lot for the community; he has started disaster relief drives for Japanese earthquake victims, participates in walks to cure brain tumors, and encourages his staff to consider their health through their own “Royal Fitness Challenge.” Bertrand gives back to his local Boys and Girls Club in Seaside and he is a great leader for his team at the hotel to look up to.

Thank you, Bertrand, for your service to the King George Hotel. Keep up the good work!

Eric: Great work and congratulations to you, Bertrand. This Greystone Customer Service Award represents your commitment to always providing Exceptional Service, as well as your dedication to The King George and Greystone Team. Your leadership is greatly appreciated by the employees and the guests of the King George Hotel.

Jennifer: Bertrand has brought a great team environment to the King George Hotel by building team spirit! The guests are ultimately the recipients of this spirit as unity, high, morale, and happy employees lead to happy guests!

Drew: I think Bertrand’s lead by example approach is one of the many reasons he has earned the great honor. I know that in the time that I have known him I have become a better employee and I hope a better person. This is impart because of Bertrand’s daily strive to do good and be better. Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations.

Cathy: Bertrand is always there to support and encourage his team.  He is the first one to volunteer to help fundraise or participate in events.  Not only is he a great GM, he is truly an inspiring wonderful person.

Sanjay: Everything Bertrand does is with enthusiasm and zest! His positive energy is infectious, which helps foster the continued success of the King George Hotel and its employees.  Bertrand is a true leader and it has been an amazing experience working with him.

Emily: Bertrand is a great leader with a kind heart; he is committed to worthwhile causes and I believe he inspires his team to do better in many aspects of their lives: to better themselves professionally, to better the world around them, and to take care of their health through the "Royal Fitness Challenge.” Kudos Bertrand!

Fun at the Creekside Inn! Great Job Maria!

The associates of the Creekside Inn celebrated their 2^nd quarter party with a BBQ a Pinata and the announcement of the Associate of the quarter Mrs. Maria Elena Valencia.  Mrs. Valencia has worked at the Creekside Inn for over 15 years with an attendance record that is almost perfect.  To quote her supervisors she arrives earlier than they do to work every day that she is on the schedule.  The piñata had candy, lottery tickets,  cash and an extra day off for a lucky associate.

Elan Hotel "Certificate of Excellence" award 2011

Congratulations to the Elan Team for winning a TripAdvisor "Certificate of Excellence" award 2011! Way to go!

Great Job BWSS!

Congratulations to the BWSS for receiving such a complimentary note from a guest! This guest had a wonderful stay due to Exceptional Service!

Hi there,

I noticed on my receipt from priceline.com that it listed an email for contact information so I thought I would email you and let you know that you have a wonderful hotel staff. Everyone I encountered greeted me with courtesy and a smile.

I especially loved your cafe. Ina, Patrick and Kim were absolutely wonderful every time I came in. Each one had a happy, contagious personality. What a wonderful way to start and end my day. There was another gentleman that also waited on me who spoke with an accent and he was adorable! I didn't catch his name but he waited on me Monday, August 1st in the afternoon and he is just so kind and friendly, as you should patent his great energy and how he deals with people, he is just fabulous!  I was in room 155 and checked in Thursday, July 28th and checked out Tuesday, August 2nd. I will be back.

Thanks again for having such wonderful people working for you as I am sure this is how Best Western got it's great reputation! I also sent in a guest comment card by mail, but it was not big enough space to say everything I wanted to say in this email.

Thanks again!!

Donna Farrell

                                                                

Great Job BWSS Staff!!!

Bristol Employee of the Month Winner!

Congratulations to Ana Basilio, the Bristol's July Employee of the Month winner! After joining the Bristol as a Room Attendant in March of 2010, Ana has proven herself to be a strong asset to the Housekeeping team. When the Executive Housekeeper is unavailable, Ana can handle the responsibilities of the department in her absence. Thank you, Ana, for doing such a great job. Congratulations!