The Housekeeping Staff at Watermark Beach Resort won the award for best housekeeping. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Watermark Beach Resort picked up two major awards at the recent B.C. Hospitality Summit, but it’s the Housekeeping Award for 2017 that that General Manager Ingrid Jarrett is most eager to talk about.
“It’s so important to our team,” Jarrett said as she posed with a number of hospitality employees in front of the lakeside resort last Tuesday. “It’s the core of what we do in resorts – it’s public spaces, it’s all our hallways, it’s our guestrooms, it’s laundry. They do so much work and they often go unrecognized.”
The hotel has about 45 housekeeping staff, she said.
The modest Jarrett was less enthusiastic about trumpeting the other award – to herself as Hotelier of the Year for 2017.
Both awards were presented by the B.C. Hotel Association, which partnered with the Association of Beverage Licensees to hold the Whistler event. The event took place April 22 to 24.
“It is indeed an honour to be recognized by my peers,” said Jarrett of her Hotelier of the Year Award. “Of course I have my team to thank for all their contribution and hard work.”
Jarrett’s award follows by less than six months her recognition by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) as one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women.
Jarrett, who admits she tends to be humble, would rather not be the focus of attention.
“I really want to make sure we focus on our housekeeping award,” she said.
The B.C. Hotel Association said properties recognized with housekeeping awards “have met the stringent criteria for excellence in cleanliness.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
