IT'S THE EXPERIENCE
Andrew builds a 'House 'at FDR
IT’S AS if Andrew has built a house at Franklyn D. Resort and Spa (FDR) in Runaway Bay, St Ann.
Thanks to his family, Andrew House, an only child, literally grew up at the hotel, visiting every year from Teaneck, New Jersey, USA, for 21 years, dating back to 1996. And he still comes every January. When Kim and Richard House arrived at FDR for the first time in 1996 for a Jamaican vacation, Andrew was a mere year and six months old.
The Houses were impressed with the fact that the hotel had a nanny with every one of its 79 suites, so they had time for themselves.
A chance photo of Andrew at a shower close to the beach, washing the sand off his hands, was repeated the following year January and repeated every January since then.
It was only in 2003, when Andrew was ill, that no photo was taken. The Houses’ most recent trip was last week.
“Each year he comes, he takes a photograph by the same shower, which is to the entrance to the large beach that we share. He takes it in the same spot, in the same position every year,” assistant sales manager Janique Johnson told Hospitality Jamaica.
A collage of the shots is at the front desk of the hotel.
“They keep coming back because of how they’re treated here. They’re no strangers, they’re family. They’re always treated with courtesy, kindness and genuineness,” Johnson pointed out.
“They come, they scuba dive – which they really enjoy – and they enjoy meeting people. They’re people
Andrew builds a ‘House’ at FDR
MICHELLE SAWYERS’ dedication, willingness and commitment were among the attributes that won her ‘Superstar of the Year 2017’, during the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Eminence Awards last Wednesday in Montego Bay.
Sawyers, a room attendant whose tenure at the resort is just under two years, outpaced 12 of her colleagues in the category, taking home the coveted title, plus prizes of a 55 inch television, a trip to Cancun, Mexico, or an option of $200,000.
Twice during 2017 she was named Superstar of the Month, a title she said she achieved by acknowledging and treating her colleagues the same as she treats guests who vacation at the property.
Sawyers shared the spotlight with the likes of ‘Leader of the Year’ Dedra Brown, training and quality manager in the human resources department; Supervisors of the Year, Novella Gordon and Anthony Bailey and the General Manager’s awardees, Thelma Cross and Elan Campbell.
A total of 20 recipients took home television sets, vacations and cash for their selfless contribution to the resort.
Brown, described as “coconut water” by director of human resources, Betty-Ann Brown, is involved in just about every activity that the hotel participates in. She plays cricket and leads the outstanding ‘Granville School Initiative’, which helps the innercity community. She is also the backbone behind the ‘Intellect Your Style’ project at the resort.
OUTSTANDING WORKERS
Both Gordon and Bailey tied for the supervisor award; because the executive committee was passionate about them. “Novella, because of her contribution to the Jamaican restaurant on-property and Anthony, who continues to save the company money by building the props used on the property,” Betty-Ann Brown explained.
Cross was lauded for her honesty, having found money in the pocket of a guest while laundering his pants. She returned the money with a personalised note after cleaning the garment. That note made it as far as Playa corporate offices and has secured the hotel with future business.
In the case of Campbell, he rescued one of his colleagues, whose hairnet got caught in a hot box and was on fire. Without second thoughts, Campbell grabbed his colleague, ran with her and doused her with vinegar. His action prevented her from getting third degree burns.
“What our staff has done in guest satisfaction is nothing short of amazing and that is why we recognise them,” general manager Omar Rivera.
He singled out the Granville school, noting that what has been done for that community shows heart, compassion and caring for doing what is right.
Some 144 staff nominated for Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Eminence Awards.