The George Washington Hotel Named Wyndham’s Top Hotel (United States)
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The George Washington Hotel Named Wyndham’s Top Hotel (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Events -
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This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2012-04-25
Hotel Ranks First in Wyndham Hotels and Resorts International System
The George Washington Hotel, A Wyndham Grand Hotel, has been recognized as The Hotel of the Year for 2011 by the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand, the highest honor in the upscale hotel brand’s portfolio. The hotel is owned by GW Leasing LLC, located in Winchester, Va., and operated by Marshall Hotels & Resorts, a leading, Maryland-based hotel management and services company.
To be eligible for the prestigious award, a Wyndham Hotels and Resorts property must have demonstrated positive performance and outstanding characteristics in all areas of hospitality, offering excellence in customer service and quality as well as playing an active and positive role in the local community.
“When we took over management of the hotel in 2009, our first priority was to connect with the community,” said David Cavallaro, hotel general manager. “We have built on that commitment and played a role in helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for some 30 local charities last year.”
Activities ranged from hosting upscale balls for fundraising for organizations like Literacy Volunteers to hosting blood drives for the American Red Cross. Hotel employees also were active volunteers in the community, including working with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project.
“The hotel ownership and its many guests are extremely proud and honored by the accomplishments of the employees and management of the George Washington, A Wyndham Grand Hotel,” said Glen and Kim Burke, owners of the hotel. “Through dedication and commitment they deliver the level of service that our guests have grown to expect. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Marshall Hotels & Resorts give us the franchise and management guidance that make our property truly grand. Our general manager, David Cavallaro, delivers the expertise, leadership and guidance that complete the winning combination and to him and the many others whom we serve, we thank you.”
In the guest satisfaction arena, guests rated the hotel in the top three in the system for the first eight months of the year, and then the hotel took a commanding lead for the remainder of 2011, winning the top spot every month. The hotel also stepped up its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, finding new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
The combined efforts of the 70 associates at the hotel led to the property increasing its market leadership position, with occupancy and average daily room rate up significantly for the year. The hotel enjoyed a revenue per available room ranking of 140.9 percent for the year and increased its first-place lead in its competitive set.
“Most people think that luxury hotels are only suitable as a resort or in major urban markets,” said Mike Marshall, president and CEO, Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc. “But luxury can be successful anywhere when a hotel creates a personality that fits its location. David and his team steadily have raised the bar on hotel operations at the George Washington. Shortly after taking over the hotel in March of 2009, the property quickly moved up into the top five in the Wyndham® system and maintained that level throughout the economic downturn. That impressive turn-around earned David the brand’s highest individual award, Wyndham General Manager of the Year in 2009. In 2010, the hotel placed in the top three. David and his team did not let up and went on to win the top award in 2011.”
“The George Washington, A Wyndham Grand Hotel is a testament to the exceptional quality and first-rate service culture of the Wyndham® brand,” said John Green, brand senior vice president of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. “I congratulate the hotel on this momentous achievement and thank its team for its ongoing commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for guests.”
The hotel also recently received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, based on positive guest comments and ratings.
The full-service, historic, 90-room George Washington, A Wyndham Grand Hotel, located at 103 East Piccadilly Street in Winchester, Va., was built in 1924 in the Georgian Revival-style. Located just an hour from the Washington, D.C. Beltway, the property was fully restored in 2008, yet maintains its original mahogany, front desk. With nearly 7,400 square feet of flexible meeting and event space capable of accommodating up to 300 people, including a grand ballroom, it is one of the Shenandoah Valley’s most sought-after social and meeting locations. The hotel offers two onsite dining options, The Dancing Goat Restaurant and The Half Note Lounge, which also provides live entertainment. The Saumaj Spa, which opened earlier this year, rounds out the hotel’s luxury amenities.
About Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), offers upscale hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, China and the Caribbean. All Wyndham® hotels are either franchised by the company or managed by Wyndham Hotel Management, Inc., one of its affiliates or through a joint-venture partner.
About Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Salisbury, Md.-based Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is celebrating 30 years as a hotel operating company. It has special expertise in operating three- and four-star branded hotels and resorts, averaging 100 to 500 rooms, in urban and central business districts, as well as suburban/drive-to and resort locations. In addition, the company has a proven track record managing independent resort and unique urban properties. The company has managed a wide array of leading hotel brands, including Hilton, Starwood, InterContinental Hotel Group, Hyatt, Choice and Wyndham.
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