After taking a break for a month, Viceroy, one of Anguilla’s premier resorts, reopened on Friday, October 5, to welcome its first group of guests for the 2012/2013 season; and to continue its employment of several hundred workers and its contribution to the island’s economy.
The hotel’s buildings and grounds looked resplendent as the executive committee and colleagues, rejuvenated from the holiday break, combined their efforts to ensure the readiness of the property.
The reopening of Viceroy Anguilla was greeted with the news that it was voted number four hotel in the Americas and the Caribbean by the British edition of Conde Naste Magazine – a publication that has the attention of many people in the up-market tourism industry. “That is phenomenal,” General Manager, Jeff David, commented. “Only two years old and we are the fourth best hotel in the Americans: that means from Canada to Argentina… and we came 24th in the world.”
Speaking generally to The Anguillian, Mr. David said in part: “The hotel is performing great. We are still doing some finishing touches. We got another month to do the grand reopening of our spa. We are adding five more treatment rooms, steam rooms and other amenities. What is exciting also is the gift shop. Our boutique is run by a world-class company called Seaside Luxe, and we are going to bring some amazing products with a very successful track record.
“The staff has a great revitalisation, having had a great rest in September. We start all our stand-up meetings with hugs because we are family. It is our second year of opening and today we feel it is the first day of the new season so we are very excited. The staff will be phased in all the way from 200 to 600 people from now to Christmas.”
In measuring the success of the operations of the hotel, Mr. David disclosed that from last year, to the beginning of this season, the resort experienced a financial growth of over seven million US dollars.
During the reopening programme a number of senior staff members spoke at a “show and tell” event about various initiatives they had undertaken to boost the operations of their particular division of the hotel. One such initiative was presented by Boutique Manager, Terry Harrigan. It was the modelling of several fashions of clothing, handbags and other articles bearing the Viceroy Anguilla logo. The models were Rolanda Webster, Geba Richardson-Carty and Mercia Smith.
Another activity was the awarding of a number of staff members for outstanding performance. This was conducted by Director of Human Resources, Ms.Dorla Hodge. The awards were presented by General Manager, Jeff David.
Those awarded were: Michelle O’Neil (Engineering – Supervisor of the Month, August); Garyston Clarke (Security – Colleague of the Month – Heart of the House, August); Yolanda Berroa (Housekeeping – Colleague of the Month – Heart of the House, July); Evans Lake (Front Office – Colleague of the Month – Front of House, August); Rochelle Reed (Front Office/PBX –Colleague of the Month – Front of the House, July); Darren Connor (Culinary – Supervisor of the Month, July); and Vernon Carty Watersport/Interim Pool and Beach – Manager of the Quarter,Q2).
