Staff at Watermark Beach Resort are proud of the recent honours they’ve received on a popular travel website and in the media. (Keith Lacey photo)
Teamwork and hard work by the more than 100 staff members has been the key to success in making the Watermark Beach Resort one of Osoyoos’ most popular destination resorts, says general manager Ingrid Jarrett.
It’s also why the entire staff gathered for a special celebration last week to share the accolades as the Watermark Beach Resort was recently honoured by Trip Advisor into that respected major travel website’s International Hall of Fame after five consecutive years of excellence provided by visitors to the resort.
The Watermark Beach Resort also recently captured several prestigious awards announced by Okanagan Life Magazine in its annual Readers Awards competition, including Best Chef, Best Place to Hold a Meeting, Best Wine Bar and Best Tapas. Head Chef Adair Scott was named as Best Chef by readers of Okanagan Life.
“It’s nice to get this kind of recognition because all of our staff work so hard,” said Jarrett, who has been the general manager at the Watermark Beach Resort since it opened six years ago in downtown Osoyoos. “We have such an incredible team of employees who work at this resort.
“They work hard and they work as a team and look out for each other and it makes for a very fun atmosphere to come to work in. We have a wonderful collection of staff at our resort and they all share in these special awards. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Trip Advisor is one of the most respected travel websites in the world and having so many visitors to the Watermark Beach Resort make so many appreciative comments during their visit for five consecutive years is a testament to all of the people who work there, said Jarrett.
“It takes a real team effort to run a quality resort and our team of close to 120 staff really take pride in what they do,” she said. “Being accepted into Trip Advisor’s Hall of Fame after receiving so many positive comments from our visitors for five years running is a real honour and something we’re obviously very excited about.”
There are 153 suites at the Watermark Beach Resort and only 30 remain for sale. They range from studio units of 700 square feet to larger suites in excess of 1,600 square feet.
Owners generate revenue by renting out their suites to visitors.
A visit to the Watermark Beach Resort is all about providing an exceptional experience to guests and being recognized by readers of Okanagan Life with several awards is another clear indication that people have a good time when they visit, said Jarrett.
“There are a lot of very good hotels in Osoyoos and across the South Okanagan, but to have so many people vote for our resort for things like Best Chef, Best Place to Hold a Meeting, Best Wine Bar and Best Tapas bar in the entire Okanagan is really something to be proud of,” she said. “We pride ourselves in providing an exceptional visitor experience and it’s very rewarding to have so many of our visitors take the time to vote for us.”
Scott, who is now in his third year as head chef at the Watermark Beach Resort, said being named Best Chef by the readers of Okanagan Life, is something he and his entire team in the kitchen are proud of.
“I’ve been in this business for a little over 10 years and this is, by far, the best job I’ve had in the food industry,” he said. “I get to work with a talented and dedicated team who are committed to serving excellent food, so it makes my job pretty easy to be honest.”
Using fresh ingredients that are grown locally is the key to offering great food to local residents and visitors to the resort, said Scott.
“We’re blessed to have easy access to locally grown fruit and vegetables and we can cook up salmon caught in Osoyoos Lake the day before we serve it,” said Scott. “We also have access to things like the Arctic Char hatchery in Oliver … being able to take advantage of everything that’s offered here in the South Okanagan is and always will be a huge part of what we offer on our menu.”
All of his kitchen staff share the same passion for providing quality food and service to customers and that’s the biggest reason you win awards and recognition like this, said Scott.
“You can’t achieve any kind of success in this business with staff who are looking to go home the minute after their shift is over,” he said. “This is not a nine to five business and you need people who are willing to work the long hours and have a passion for excellence and we’re lucky to have those kinds of people working at this resort.
“The team we have here at the Watermark is exceptional and I’m proud to come to work with them every day.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
