From a Coral to a Hilton

Good Day my readers

Have you heard the latest rumor in the hotel buz...
about The Coral International hotel changing into a Hilton. Well it is TRUE!!

According to an article published in the Cape Argus The Hilton group bought over one of the only "dry" hotel in Cape Town (dry meaning that the hotel did not sell any alcoholic products what so ever but guests were allowed to bring their own "booze""

According to further sources The Coral group has sold their chain of hotels in South Africa to The Hilton group. So we official have our second Hilton hotel in South Africa

The Hotel will be named The Cape Town City Center Hotel until all procedures and plans have been put in place for the new Hilton Hotel.

I am trying to arrange an interview with one of the managers to find out exactly how the change came about so that we as hoteliers can know!!!!

X.O.X.O

Hotel Guy

Year one!!!!! What a year..... 2010 - 2011

Good Day my readers

Well my first official year as a new hotelier has come to an end.

I will be going on leave from the 1 – 30 April 2011.

My first year at the hotel has been an amazing, fun and a bumpy ride. I have gained much
experience in this industry within a year, possibly more experience, knowledge and skills than I have
ever thought I would gain in one year.

Starting at the bottom of the pyramid is not always fun because one feels like they always reach this
peak in their life and then suddenly this massive drop down to the bottom again when you start
something new. Kind of like being on the top in grade 7 then dropping when you reach high school
for the first time. It is not always a great feeling but you need not to ponder upon this feeling but
rather look at the bigger picture which is a qualification and a top job.

This is exactly what I keep in mind all the time. Being in the hotel industry is not always the easiest
thing in the world due to the fact you the one that needs to try and keep everyone around you
happy all the time (which is not always possible because we all human and we all make mistakes)
So yes at times it is difficult an I have my bad moments but those bad moments due not compare
to all the good moments I have , meeting new people an interacting with guests every day for me is
the best job in the world because I love making use of my people skills and it allows me to feel really
proud of myself.

So yes my 1st year has been tough but I have enjoyed almost every moment of it and have gained
and learned so much. I am appreciative everyday for the all the people who have influenced my life
and who have taught me how to become one of the best hoteliers in this business.

Love you all will be posting when am back.......
got some new exciting blogs coming soon... something i didnt do last year watch this space...

X.O.X.O

Hotel Guy

Hotel of the month: The Taj Hotel

Hello all

"The Taj Cape Town welcomes guests to the vibrant heart of one of the world's most scenic and desirable cities, Cape Town.

The Taj Cape Town is a combination of rich history and elegant contemporary architecture. Originally home to the South African Reserve Bank and Temple Chambers, later the Board of Executors (BOE), it successfully combines the heritage of the old with the luxury of the new.

This five-star hotel is ideally located in the centre of historic Cape Town at the entrance to the famous pedestrian precinct, St George's Mall. Its prime site ensures that the Taj Cape Town is perfectly situated for those looking to discover authentic Cape Town; and its blend of fascinating history, exotic culture, soulful art, lively entertainment and delectable cuisine.

The historic structure of the Taj Cape Town is home to the Heritage Rooms and Suites, Tower Rooms and Suites, The Presidential Suite and the Taj Club. These 177 exquisite rooms offer guests old-world quality complemented by modern features and luxury amenities.

The Taj Cape Town presents an eclectic variety of cuisine and culinary experiences including an Indian specialty restaurant, a relaxed all-day dining restaurant and a champagne and oyster bar. The magnificent banqueting and meeting rooms combine the elegance of a bygone era with state-of-the-art technology. In addition the hotel offers a full Jiva Grande Spa and a fitness centre.

The Taj Cape Town is perfectly placed to impart an exceptional and unforgettable Mother City experience."











All text within this posting was taken from the Taj hotel website and is copyrighted
check out the website by clicking on the link below

http://www.tajhotels.com


X.O.X.O

Hotel Guy

Room Service March 2011

Good Day all

When one hears the word "room service" what do you think of?
- "providing a service to a guests room"

Well that is exactly what room service is about.
My two weeks in room service has been great. It is a pity my time has been so limited , due to the fact they need my exceptional skills :-) in reception for the last 2.5 weeks of March.

During my time in room service i was actually very surprised about all the different areas an procedures room service covers (defiantly more than i suspected). It is more than just answering phones , taking and delivering orders. They also are required to set up for various functions (mainly in-house departmental function) - neither the less it is still a function. They also deal with breakfast cards which are cards guests fill out for breakfast that they want to be delivered to their room the next morning. They also prepare welcome drinks for various groups that arrive at the hotel or welcome drinks requested for a certain number of people. Then they also have the entire mini bar side of things (which already is a big area on its own).

My time spent here has taught me how to prepare a tray for an order , ranging , preparing and procedures of breakfast cards and how the procedure of cash up works.

So i have enjoyed my time in room service once again even though it was only for 2 weeks it has added on to my skills an experience within this industry an for that i am forever thankful.

Splash Cafe February 2011

Hello All.....


Wow what a start to February an what better place to be at then the Splash Café down at the pool.

The Splash Café is a semi restaurant / cocktail an smoothie bar at the pool , that provides the guests with the opportunity to have something awesome to drink : very berry , mango mamma or moment of weakness or a meal to finish off a full day at the pool: foot long hotdog , organic beef burger or the amazing salmon wrap.

Upon one’s morning arrival at Splash you need to set up a lot of different things before your day even gets started. You start with the lounges by the pool, by placing the plastic lounger over the steel work frame an ending it off by putting a towel cover over the plastic. You then need to bring out all the tables from inside to the outside an relay them all, with cutlery, side plate an a napkin as well as condiments. These tables are used for outside guests who just want to come an have a relaxed lunch by the pool side or for the guests wanting a break from the lounges. At the end of the day you need to do the same as above but all in reverse.

The Splash café is also well known for their functions. It is one of the hotels best function areas. Due to the fact it is out in the open and has that hip/modern vibe and touch to it. An come on now who wouldn’t want to party at the pool? 

Anther tradition at the Splash café is their weekly Sunday braais , which are just absolutely fantastic because its gives our international guest the opportunity to experience a true South African tradition. If you would like to book for one of these outstanding braais feel free to contact the Splash Café on: 021 657 4500 or email: eat@vineyard.co.za


My time in Splash has been great. It was a completely different experience for me an thank you to all who made me feel welcome in your department and taught me the ropes.

X.O.X.O

Hotel Guy

Interview with: General manager Roy Davies

Good Day all my fellow readers. Wow it has been a while but you know what they say all good things come to those who wait.

I have decided my first posting for 2011 was going to be my little project I am going to run for the next year which is as follows:

I will be doing an interview or two once a month with top managers from different hotels in and around Cape Town, whether they it be the general manager, food and beverage manager or rooms divisions manager. I want to try an get the best of the best to post onto my bog.

My very first interview I have ready is with one of Cape Towns top general managers:

Roy Davies the GM of The Vineyard Hotel and Spa.

It was such a privilege for me to have 30 minutes within his company asking him a series of questions to share with all of you as well as for me to gain some sort of knowledge an experience from such a top person. So that when I become I Gm one day I would have learned from the best.

Questions and Answers:

1. What made you study hospitality management an where did you complete your theory as well as practical?

- I didn’t complete any official hospitality qualification. I worked in the air force catering for 4 years and then completed an 18 month in- service programme at the Mount Nelson Hotel

2. What was the first position in an hotel once you had completed your 18 month in service programme?

- Assistant Banqueting Manager

3. At what time after your experience in the hotel industry did you have your first general manager role?

- 1994: GM of the Bay Hotel

4. What exactly does your role as the GM entail?

- Operations of the hotel
- Human recourses / Rooms Division an Food an Beverage directing
- Budgeting as well as the business aspect of the hotel
- Responsible for culture because whatever you do develops the culture of the business

5. Are your plans for the future to stay in hotel industry or move away from hotels to other hospitality services?

- No because I have already experienced the side of other hospitality services

6. What advice do you have for fellow trainee managers who aspire to be general managers one day?

- Take all opportunities as they present themselves
- Be committed
- Work hard
- Take initiative
- Have an enquiring mind
- An don’t think what you can get out of it but rather what you can give

7. If you had to choose to play any other role in an hotel besides the Gm what would it be?

- Human resources department

8. What was your most stressful moment you can think of that you have experienced during your time in the hotel industry?

- After working 9.5 years at The bay Hotel to be told you have been retrenched as well as other staff members and that it was my responsibility to tell them.

9. What is the most difficult part of your job?

- “Getting everyone of the bus facing the same direction and in the right seat".


Roy thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to interview you. I really learned some valuable information from you that will help me become a better leader one day.

Lots of love

X.O.X.O
Hotel Guy

Hotel of the month: The Mount Nelson Hotel and Spa

Good Day all


Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
Set in a lush garden estate at the heart of Cape Town, the Mount Nelson Hotel is an iconic property that encapsulates the true spirit of Orient-Express.

Its romantic heritage recalls the days of great ocean liners and high tea on the veranda, while its contemporary dining scene adds a lively buzz.

Situated close by Table Mountain and Cape Town’s spectacular beaches, it offers easy access to all that’s happening in this vibrant city, while its gardens and spa are an oasis of calm.

Rooms & Suites
201 luxurious Rooms and Suites with a choice of spectacular views of Table Mountain or the verdant hotel gardens. More »

Restaurants & Bar
From fine dining to classic cocktails, the Mount Nelson's Restaurants and Bar are amongst the very best in Cape Town.






All text within this posting was taken from the Mount Nelson website and is copyrighted
check out the website by clicking on the link below

http://www.mountnelson.co.za

X.O.X.O

Hotel Guy