Not one to be out done!

I have been reading up on my colleagues blog (Andrew at the Metropole) and noticed that he is writing a lot more frequently, so although this may not be as lengthy my New Years resolution will include trying to update my blog a lot more regularly – Hmm I wonder how long that one will last for (probably as long as the “ going for a 3 mile jog 3 times a week” I expect) but I will do my best!

Well the majority of our Christmas guests have now departed and thankfully we have had nothing but rave reviews and compliments, that makes a world of difference to all the team involved! Allot of our staff here worked both Christmas Day and Boxing Day and actually get very involved in ensuring that the guests have a great time. Its nice for those staff that have been here a few years as it can often feel like they are welcoming friends back and many of our regular guests comment on how they appreciate seeing the same familiar (and smiley) faces. They are a great bunch here and I feel fortunate to work with such a great team of people. Some of whom I have worked with for well over 10 years – those being Jane (Head Housekeeper), Natalie (Senior Duty Manager), Emma (Head Receptionist), Ray (Maintenance) and not forgetting the unforgettable Joy (Lounge Manageress) who has been here at the hotel for well over 50 years now! I can’t fail to mention Mark (Head Chef) and Brian (Sous Chef) who I have worked with for a large part of my time here, without them the standard of the food at The Fowey Hotel would not remain the consistent, award-winning standard that it is. They too are a real pleasure to work with and apart from being staunchly professional on many occasions also know when to have a real light hearted laugh at both themselves and the team. Goodness knows we need that from time to time!!!

With regards to the younger team members, I can remember myself being aged 17/18 and thinking “why do I do this job?” and “how unfair it is that I am having to work over a time that should really be spent with my family”. It can be a little difficult for the younger staff members but they still continue to do their job and keep a smile on their faces, between you and me I think the double pay helps a little! As time has gone on it has grown to be a normal part of my life (and an enjoyable part at that), I can’t imagine how Christmas would feel if I didn’t work now. Perhaps one day things will change, but for now this has been pretty close to a perfect Christmas for me and my family (of course our little Louis has played a big part).

Well it is now only a few days away and the New Year will be upon us! Looking back over 2007 The Fowey Hotel has achieved a great deal and I am very proud to feel part of that. The hotel has undergone a terrific amount of refurbishment in both the public rooms as well as many of the 37 bedrooms. The achieving of the 4th star from the AA back in April was a real highlight for both the team and myself, it was a huge reward to everyone involved and highlighted the potential of both the building and the staff. 2008 is set to be even more exciting as we aim to improve on our current hospitality rating of 71% with the introduction of additional TV channels, flat screen TV’s and newly refurbished suites (Premier Plus rooms) to name but a few. Those returning guests will also be pleased to see that the old black and white photos are back, after being ‘moth balled’ for over three years they have now been re-framed and will be put back into their rightful place in the Drawing room, Piano room and Hallway.

If I do not get the opportunity to write again before the New Year, then we all here at The Fowey Hotel would like to wish every one of our guests and regular blog readers a really HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here’s looking with wide eyes and excitement towards the next year and wishing you every happiness for 2008!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Well it’s the end of Christmas Day and thankfully all the guests seem content and well fed after their large Christmas lunch and evening buffet. I have done the walk around to ensure that all has gone according to plan and all is as it should be, thankfully.

From the hotels point of view the service went very smoothly with no hiccups, after all this is the main meal of the year that we MUST get right, and thankfully we did. All the guests have smiling faces and most are mentioning how relaxing the past few days have been. Last night (Christmas Eve) we had our annual visit by the St Fimbarrus Church carol singers, as always they sounded amazing and I don’t think the guests noticed that the organ decided to stop working just before the first carol! How typical is that? I made sure that I tested it at the beginning of last week and all was working fine and also yesterday afternoon, then just when we needed it to work the most it decide to give up the ghost and die a dramatic death. Picture this 16 classically trained church singers all poised and ready to burst into rapturous song, the organist carries out the scales immediately before 6:45pm and all is fine and then just and she is about to start the first carol and big fat NOTHING comes form the organ!!! At that point I went into inward panic mode, desperately trying to press the keys (and trying to look as though I know what I am doing!) Sadly to no avail, however I thought I would just “give it a go” again at 9:30pm and guess what? Yes, it worked perfectly!!! I guess these things are sent to try us at times.

My Christmas (out side of the hotel) has been quite comical, I retuned home from the hotel at around 10:30pm on Christmas Eve to an empty house. This was quite convenient as I still had Keith’s presents to wrap! At around 11:45pm I guessed he must have caught up with some friends and gone for a Christmas drink, so I sent him a quick text to say Merry Christmas and that I was going to go to bed. At midnight and whilst I was cleaning my teeth I heard a strange noise coming up the stairs, on opening the door I found a very drunk boyfriend slowly making his way up the stairs on his hands and knees (laughing whilst he crawled!!!). It was one of those Kodak moments that unfortunately I missed, but oh how I laughed, aren’t I cruel….. Due to Keith feeling a little worse for wear this morning we didn’t get the chance to open our presents this morning so I am looking forward to getting home tonight and doing this with a big glass of Baileys - Perfect!!

Well that’s our day here at The Fowey, I hope yours has been fun filled and memorable too. We are taking the guests to Carnglaze Caverns tomorrow morning, should be a great day out – if it stays dry!!! Will let you know of any eventful moments as and when they occur. Enjoy the rest of your holidays and we wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS from all of us here at The Fowey Hotel.