Linchris adds two new properties

Linchris adds two new properties
T
he Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, miles of sandy
shoreline, and Taylor Swift as our neighbor,
The Pleasant View Inn, Westerly, RI has long
been the perfect seaside getaway. Located at the Watch
Hill end of Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, RI, right
near the RI/CT border, this seasonal property features
112 rooms, a fine dining restaurant, outdoor heated pool
and miles of beach for leisurely walks. When Linchris
took over the property, they saw a hotel that could be
even better and more enjoyable for its guests. To that
end, the hotel is now undergoing a $1.4 million revitalization, to include bringing the hotel into the 21st
century with completely refurnished rooms, electronic
locks, Wi-Fi and much more.
Pictured with Julie (center) are (l-r) restaurant servers
Noemi Rivera and Sue Larrusi, who also assisted with the
campaign.
Eric Chapman, Director of Sales and
Marketing, is pictured with Wilmington GM
Brian Anderson.
The Pleasant View Inn also holds the distinction of
being a place where families have stayed for generations, which led to some trepidation among many guests that things might change under new ownership. The new
GM, Ali Sperry, says that one of her goals is to make that transition as smooth and
comfortable as possible. “Very often, I would meet guests who have been coming for
30 or more years with their children and grandchildren,” says Ali. “They were very
hesitant about a ‘corporation’ taking over the property that they grew up in and were
afraid we were going to tear down the hotel or turn it into time shares. I understood
their concerns so I made it a point to meet as many guests as I could to reassure them
that we had both the guests and employees best interests in mind. We are continually
updating our guests through Facebook on the improvements throughout the winter
so they feel a part of it.” Adds Ali, “The Pleasant View Inn is a very unique property
in that guests visit for the hotel, not the area, which is unusual for oceanfront properties. At 1PM, a time when most hotels are quiet, our lobby, restaurant, patio area, are
crowded with guests. It’s really a unique sight to see!”
In choosing Ali to head up the new property, Senior Vice President of Operations,
Robb Moskowitz commented, “We knew there would be some anxiety with our
longtime guests when we took over the hotel. But we also knew that Ali had the
easy-going manner and high-level of professionalism needed to assure those guests
of a smooth transition.”
Doubletree by Hilton-Milford’s
Julie Silvia recognized for
her efforts
Julie Silvia, Guest Service
Manager at Doubletree by Hilton
Hotel Boston – Milford, MA,
has been singled out by Hilton
Worldwide as a Spirit Award Winner
for her outstanding contributions to
the community.
Julie was recognized by Hilton with
a $500 prize for her efforts on behalf
of the Helping Hands Group, a support group for families with physically challenged children who come
to rely on Julie’s care in making their
stay memorable with fun activities
and customized games. Julie even
collaborates with food & beverage to
create special meals for the children.
These families come together once
a year for a networking event to
discuss how to cope with difficulties associated with missing limbs.
The event is also a fundraiser and
features guest motivational speakers.
Julie’s passion for giving back to her
community also included volunteering for the Walk for Hunger, and she
played a big role in a toy drive that
collected toys for more than
100 children.
“Property” continued on page 4
THE LINCHRIS INNSIDER IS A PUBLICATION OF LINCHRIS HOTEL CORPORATION
269 Hanover Street, Unit #2 • Hanover MA 02339 • 781-826-8824 • www.linchris.com
A Message From Chris
“When evaluating talent, it just can’t
be looking at an iPad screen of numbers. The players’ positive approach to
‘All Things Team’ must be taken into
account. Not just that he is a ‘good
teammate,’ but that he ‘hungers’ for the
prize more than the next guy.”
These remarks, printed in a recent
New York Post article, were written to
describe the improbable success of the
Boston Red Sox, and what served as
the stepping stones to propel the team
from the worst record in their division
to World Champions, virtually overnight. But in many ways the reporter
could just as easily have been talking
about the elements that have gone
into making our own company successful, the positive traits inherent in
our employees that have enabled us to
celebrate our 28th year in business.
Best Western-Rutland receives “Green Award”
Best Western Plus Inn & Suites-Rutland, VT has been awarded the Best Western
Green Award by Best Western International. This honor is bestowed upon those member
properties that demonstrate a commitment to sustaining resources and reducing their
carbon footprint. Hotels receiving this award comply with AH&LA Green guidelines
or the Green Key program guidelines. The hotels must also meet quality and service
standards to qualify. The Best Western Plus Inn & Suites was one of only 179 hotels
out of more than 2,400 properties in the U.S. and Canada to receive this 3 Green
Eco-Leaf Rating designation.
To qualify for the Green Eco-Leaf Rating the Best Western Plus Inn & Suites-Rutland
completed an audit of their property’s compliance with over 70 environmentally friendly
measures. Energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, environmentally safe cleaning, reduction of waste, ongoing maintenance, purchasing habits, plus many other factors
are reviewed in an effort to create a more sustainable travel future and reduce their
impact on our environment.
“The Best Western Green Awards recognize those Best Western hotels that are taking
proactive steps to reduce their impact on the environment and preserve resources for
the future,” said Julie Montmaneix, Chairman of Best Western International’s Board of
Directors. “I applaud the Best Western Inn & Suites in Rutland, VT for their involvement in
industry green programs and for their efforts in sustaining resources and preventing waste.”
For us, it has never been about hiring
“the next big thing” solely for the purpose of growing as fast as possible. We
understand that the road to success as a
company is a marathon not a sprint and
the ones who partake in this race the
best are employees with strong character, a shared commitment to working
closely with their fellow workers, and
a belief that the ultimate prize is to best
serve our guests. They are the ones that
will lead us across the finish line.
From day one we have always had a
commitment to hire from within and to
promote employees who display a highlevel of integrity at the property level,
which can lead to a career path within
our organization. Like my beloved Red
Sox, through our hiring process we have
built a winning team which possesses a
high level of principle and strong moral
character, allowing us to grow and
sustain success as we welcome to the
Linchris family our newest properties in
Westerly, RI and Wilmington, DE.
Pictured with the award
are (l-r) Tammy Wortman,
Breakfast; Theresa
Weeks, Rita deRoxas,
Brooke Griswold, Diana
Baker, Trinci Maranville,
Houskeepers; Coleen Lio,
General Manager; Savannah Morris, Assistant
Executive Housekeeper.
Back Row: Doug Brown,
Chief Engineer.
Plymouth Hilton Garden Inn Celebrates U.S. Citizen
Congratulations to Hortencia Daviega, Housekeeper for Hilton Garden Inn, Plymouth, MA, who has recently become an American citizen. Having journeyed to America 13 years ago from her native Cape Verde, Hortencia is very excited about her new
citizenship and is happy to follow in her father’s footsteps, who also became an American citizen. This landmark event was commemorated by Hortencia’s fellow employees
with a party marked with a cake bearing
the image of an
American flag.
It’s my belief that each and every one of
our Linchris teammates believes in each
other and in what we are working to
accomplish as an organization, which is
to be the very best at what we do. This
alone makes us Champions in my book.
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Blue Energy meets the “Electric City”
In Scranton, PA, The Hilton Scranton and Conference Center’s Blue Energy Committee continued in its plan to deliver on its promise “to ensure every guest feels cared for,
valued and respected”. The committee’s premier responsibility is to maintain a service
culture that will support the hotel team’s ability to deliver on that promise. Community
outreach is at the center of the “Blue Crews” core. Recently members of the committee
gathered with gloves and garbage bags and blanketed the downtown streets of Scranton,
PA picking up
trash and spreading the warmth
and light of hospitality throughout
the “Electric
City.” Luqman
Menifee, Guest
Service Manager at the Hilton
Scranton and
Conference Center said “It feels
great to breathe
life back into the
city by showing
we are more than
just a hotel. And this is only the beginning!” Throughout the clean-up, members of the
team were stopped by pedestrians thanking them for their hard work and for making
a difference.
The Hilton Scranton team is also making its presence felt during the holiday season by
performing community service with Habitat for Humanity. They also participated in the
Feed a Friend program on Thanksgiving. In December they are participating in “Operation Friendship,” a program designed for serving seniors, where they will write cards and
letters to be distributed to seniors in assisted living homes throughout the Scranton area.
The Hilton Scranton team will also be sponsoring a “Breakfast with Santa” to benefit the
JCC’s in its area, and a Toys for Tots unwrapped toy drive.
Award winner donates prize to Toys for Tots
Lorrie Ross, Server, with the Holiday Inn Cape Cod, Falmouth, MA was chosen
as Employee of the Second Quarter.
Lorrie was chosen by the staff and the
management team as employee of the
quarter for all she does for her fellow
team mates and our guests. As the
Employee of the Second Quarter, Lorrie
received a plaque, a preferred parking space, and a check for $150. Then,
in the spirit of the holidays, Lorrie
promptly donated the $150 check to the
local Toys for Tots campaign. Lorrie
was aware the hotel collected Toys for
Tots for younger children and chose to
donate her winnings to buy gift cards
for the older children at Christmas. As
(far right) is joined by (l-r) Employee of the Third Quarter, Oliver
Lorrie puts it, “There are always many Lorrie
Wilson, Houseman; Deb Boston, Assistant Housekeeper; and Sophia
toys for younger children, but never
Thompson, Front Desk Agent.
much for the teenagers.”
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PROMOTING FROM WITHIN
The Comfort
Inn-Cape Cod,
Hyannis, MA
is proud to
announce the
promotion of
Camecia
Green to Executive Housekeeper. Camecia
has been with
the Comfort Inn
since 2009, and has been a valuable
asset to our housekeeping team.
Camecia worked as the Assistant
Executive Housekeeper for four years
and is excited to take on this new
challenge as Executive Housekeeper.
Keep up the great work!
Congratulations
to April Fairbanks, who has
been promoted
to the position
of Front Office
Manager for
the Holiday
Inn, Salem,
NH. April is
seen pictured
with Chief Engineer, Steve
Doucette.
FUTURE HOTELIERS
Congratulations to Coleen
Lio, General
Manager for
the Best
Western Plus
Inn & SuitesRutland, VT,
on becoming
a grandmother
this past May.
Aleah Marie
Eddings was 5 pounds, 15 ounces and
18-1/2 inches long.
Employees enjoy the “Taste of
Tri-Town”
Shown (l-r): Nate Weare, General Manager, and Alan
Klemanchuck, Outlets Manager.
Employees at the Holiday Inn, Mansfield, MA took part in the sixth annual Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce
Oktoberfest “Taste of Tri-Town.” The
event was held at the Comcast Center with all proceeds benefiting local
charities. Guests sampled a variety of
cuisines from the Mansfield, Foxboro,
and Norton communities including
the “Pumpkin Chili” served by Pikes
Peak Mining Company located in the
Holiday Inn Mansfield.
Strengthening community
involvement
Holiday Inn, Rockland MA chef has
Halloween carving featured in local
newspaper
To say Jean Silva, Chef, at the Holiday Inn,
Rockland, MA (shown right) has “carved” out a
niche for himself, especially around the Halloween
season, would be an obvious observation. Every
Halloween Jean wields his cutlery like a maestro and
transforms innocent-looking fruits and vegetables
into frightening images that delights both children
and adults. This past October, Jean’s work at Barrett’s
Haunted Mansion in the neighboring town of Abington,
MA was highlighted with a full page story in The Boston
Herald. His creativity was also on display in the adjacent
restaurant, accompanying such ghoulish gourmet delights
as Pasta and Meatball Mummies, Shrimp Brain Cocktail,
Olive Spiders, and the always popular Bloody Deviled
Egg Eyeballs.
Silva came to the United States from his native Brazil in
2002 and has been at the Holiday Inn Rockland for eight
years. He says his favorite aspect of fruit carving is being
able to showcase his personal talent. “It brings happiness to people, and it is a conversation piece,” Silva says,
adding that his inspiration comes from God. He sees a
sculpture in his mind, transfers that image to paper, and
then does the carving. Jean’s carvings are also front and
center at many of the hotel’s client events, from holiday
parties to weddings.
“Property” continued from page 1
Shown are (l-r): Laurie Hayes, Housekeeper and Korry
Norris, Director of Sales, Hilton Garden Inn, Plymouth MA
Laurie Hayes, Housekeeper, and
Korry Norris, Director of Sales
with the Hilton Garden Inn,
Plymouth, MA strengthened their
community involvement by helping
to serve dinner to the children and
parents of the local Boys and Girls
Club. Laurie and Korry helped cook
and set up the room, and then served
everyone in a buffet setting. Once
it was over the ladies then cleaned
up and broke the room down. “The
staff at the Boys and Girls club was
extremely grateful to us for helping
and we had a fabulous time,” said
Korry. “We are going to be doing
a ‘giving tree’ for them during the
holiday time.”
This summer also saw the addition of the largest hotel to date in the Linchris portfolio,
Doubletree by Hilton, Wilmington, DE. This superb property boasts 244 guest rooms,
Palette’s Restaurant, pool, whirlpool, fitness center and 11,000 feet of meeting space.
At the helm will be new GM, Brian Anderson, who has a long track record of overseeing six Linchris properties in his career. According to Senior Vice President
of Operations, Bob Anderson, he couldn’t have chosen a better person for the job.
“When we were planning the purchase of
“Brian was the perfect candidate
the Doubletree Wilmington we immedito bring to Delaware on the heels
ately thought of Brian Anderson for the
of what he did at the Hilton in
GM position,” says Bob. “Brian was the
perfect candidate to bring to Delaware
Scranton, PA.”
on the heels of what he did at the Hilton
in Scranton, PA. Brian led a team of great managers and employees in Scranton to exceed
service and satisfaction expectations for our guests while delivering the desired results to
the bottom line. In fact, during a year of complete renovation, the Hilton Scranton finished
as number-five in the entire Hilton system for guest satisfaction. We look forward to great
things from Brian and his staff in the coming years.”
Brian takes the responsibility of overseeing the largest hotel under Linchris ownership very
serious. “After 10 years of handling smaller properties, Linchris has done an excellent job
molding my career and grooming me for this key position,” says Brian. “I have an outstanding staff that is nearly split 50-50 between new employees and those who have been with the
hotel prior, which creates a great dynamic. From the managers to the line level employees,
I couldn’t ask for a better, more committed staff to work with.”
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