Choice Hotels Canada is recognizing its top performers with its prestigious annual Awards for Property Excellence. The Spirit of Hospitality honour has been awarded to Jack Chambers, front desk manager at Bayside Resort, an Ascend Collection Hotel, in Parksville.
Chambers is the fourth recipient of this annual award.
Nine national APEX Awards, which recognize stellar performance, commitment to guest service, and operational excellence, were distributed to top-performing properties and individuals across the country at the company’s fall conference in Quebec City.
“I am so touched and honoured to be recognized with this award,” said Chambers. “I truly love the hospitality business and how every day is unique. But ultimately it is about the people, both my colleagues and our guests, old and new, who come from all around the world. It brings me joy to put a smile on their faces.”
As front desk manager, Chambers not only greets the guests but works to make their stay more memorable. He is also known for being the “Jack of all trades” around the hotel, so if housekeeping is short-staffed, he is ready to help - whether that is folding pool towels, sweeping the lobby, or restocking amenities. If maintenance is busy, rather than having the guest wait, he will find what tools he needs and be in the room plunging a plugged drain or fixing a sliding door that came off the track. He is known for always going above and beyond. This includes driving guests to ferries so they don’t miss their boat, or drawing guests maps to great hidden hiking spots. He has been directly involved in increasing the property’s key metrics each year and guest impact surveys for staff friendliness are largely in part due to him and the culture he has helped create.
“Jack’s passion for hospitality is contagious and his team and the other departments feed off his positivity,” said Darren Watson, general manager of Bayside Resort. “I have never met a kinder and more genuine person in all my years in this industry and we are lucky to have him - no one deserves this award more than him."
