Dear Christopher Vachon,
I had the pleasure of staying at Lakeview from
November 10, 2008 until February 13, 2009 as I
was working in Calgary. I am sure you can appreciate
being away home for that length of time can be
challenging. However, my stay at Lakeview was
great- it became my home away from home and made
my stay much easier.
I knew a number of your staff by name- Bliss
and Mike at the front desk, Heidi who solved a
problem I had, Alex in accounting and Sharon at
breakfast in the morning. Bliss particularly stands
out for me- she always called me by name, had
a smiling face and was always gracious and helpful.
However, every one of your staff would always
acknowledge me and make me feel welcome.
As for the hotel amenities:
- The rooms- either the studio or one bedroom-
had all the amenities of home and were comfortable
- Fitness room- used it every day- had all the
basic needs to keep in shape
- Breakfast- great way to start the day and again
all the food and more then what you would get
at home
- Cookies-at front desk- very nice touch
- Evening snacks or managers dinner- I didn't
avail myself much of this but it was obviously
used a great deal by others.
So in summary, thank you and great job by everyone!
I would highly recommend Lakeview Hotels and Resorts
to anyone visiting Calgary and I will be sure
to be back when I am in Calgary.
Yours truly,
Pat K
Winter '08
Most
recently stayed with the family prior to departing to Cuba. WOW!
This hotel was a Residence Inn until recently (according to the
employees). Nicer then any Marriott I've stayed in! Brand new rooms,
vibrant, modern, clean and like new. Saltwater pool prepared us
for our vacation. We had to eat fast to catch our flight but what
we had of the breakfast was fantastic. Would stay here again give
the odd flight pattern from London to Calgary to Cuba.
Todd
D. from London – Would stay again
Stayed Aug 2007, 2 days
Summer '07
Michael R from Piedmont, CA recommends this hotel
Residence Inn Vacation Stop (fomerly, now Lakeview)
My wife and I stayed in this hotel on the last night of our two-week
vacation in the Canadian Rockies. After driving several hours from
the mountains, we were very pleased to be able to check in early,
around 1:30 pm. The desk staff was very cheerful and welcoming.
The two-bedroom suite was spacious and very comfortable. The suite
included a large siting area, two full bathrooms and a small kitchen
area with full-size appliances (as well as some dishes, cutlery,
etc.). A family of four could easily have spent several days at
the hotel without feeling cramped. We were delighted that the hotel
made available a free shuttle service to (and from) a nearby train
station so that we could take the train to downtown Calgary to attend
the Calgary Stampede instead of having to drive in traffic and hunt
for parking. Our stay included a full breakfast the next morning
-- the food was very fresh and tasty. We would unconditonally recommend
this hotel.
The hotel facilities included a small fitness center with exericse
equipment, free weights, etc., a swimming pool and what appeared
to be a badminton court.
Fall'06
Since I am leaving your hotel on Friday morning bright and early
after a stay of 6 weeks or so, I just wanted to say that I thoroughly
enjoyed my stay with you and appreciate all the nice things you
guys did for me to make my stay more comfortable.
I wish to say thank you to both you all for everything as well as
the wonderful gifts.
The other staff that stand out in your facility and deserve an extra
thank you from me are :
Dining room ~She sure knows her customer service. Good memory as
well. Very pleasant and belongs in this industry. Front desk ~Very
polite and sure knows his role as well. He reflects what the Marriott
is trying to portray to their clientele.
I am in a service oriented business myself and I certainly know
what makes our clients continue to use us; and I can see that your
team knows this as well.
I will be telling everyone where they should stay while in Calgary!
Many thanks and warm regards...Denise (room #331)
Spring
'06
MARRIOTT
YYC , THE LEADER IN EXTENDED STAY LODGING, CELEBRATES 5 YEARS IN
CALGARY
Monday
May 8th, 2006 marks Residence Inn by Marriott's 5th year in Calgary.Residence
Inn is a proud member of the Calgary North-East airport community
and is excited to celebrate this milestone. Guests and Associates
will take part in a cake cutting ceremony at 10am at the hotel.
"We've
been an innovator in providing the services and amenities that make
extended-stay travel easy and productive. Backed by Marriott's rich
heritage of hospitality, our hotel sets the standard for extended-stay
living with an unbridled spirit to serve" says Christopher
T Vachon, General Manager.
Residence
Inn understands what it is like to be away from home for a few days
or more. In fact, they coined the term "extended stay"
in 1975. Since then, they have designed their suites, every service,
and each amenity specifically to make your longer stay as enjoyable
as it is productive.
Spring
'06
From
the time we requested an early check in ( we have 2 small children),
the greeting at the front reception, the suite itself, the laundry,
the
housekeeping and last, but definitely not the least, the kitchen
staff who exuded
so much warmth and care that we immediately felt 'at home'.
We're
sure it's partly your training Heidi, and to a greater part their
amiable
personalities that guaranteed us excellent service.
We
were also given a lovely house warming card on the day of the departure
as we were moving into our new home. This was very thoughtful.
To
any and everybody who would like to consider the Residence Inn for
their
stay, we would like to say that you won't find a better place.
Thank
you and cheers!!! ... Nakul and family.
Winter
'06
We
were so very pleased by Renee Kelly and Sharon - Especially their
willingness to attempt something different to accommodate us. And
done with 'class'.
Thanks
so Much!
Winter
'06
I've been staying at the Calary Mariott Residence Inn -- off and
on since January 2005 -- and returned 1 last time this January (2006).
It is unique to walk into a hotel and have your name remembered
by most of the staff that were there, previously. It is also very
special that they treat you as part of the family. That is how I
feel when I stay at the Inn.
Chris
Vachon runs the Residence very much like running a family household.
I have nothing but the highest regards for this Hotel/Residence.
Rooms are spotless, large and make you feel at home and the beds
are very comfortable, almost never wanting to get out of bed! The
breakfast room is always warm and welcoming -Sharon Heriot who is
the Kitchen Lead will give a bright and shiny "good morning"
and always makes sure that everyone is happy.
Going
above and beyond seems to be the motto for the staff at the hotel.
It is a very special feeling when at the end of my stay, the staff
would give me a present and a thank you card -- signed by all of
them and saying that they would miss me.....it makes me want to
come back. I've recommended this hotel to friends and family. I
could only hope that the rest of the Mariott Hotels take example
of this extraordinary Hotel in Calgary, to show what Customer Service
is really about!
Thank you,
Donna
Winter
'05
Dear
Sir:
I
find myself to be a guest of your Marriott Residence Inn, Calgary
Alberta for an undetermined amount of time.I just want to pass along
my sincerest Congratulations to Mr. Vachon, General Manager and
his wonderful staff.
From
the moment that my 5-month-old puppy, Miss Pudding, and I arrived
on their doorstep, everyone has gone out of their way to be helpful,
professional and welcoming. Being displaced from one's home is never
easy but your staff has made the transition as smooth as it can
possibly be.
I
didn't want to let the opportunity pass without saying thank-you.
The
staff at the Calgary Airport property are excellent representatives
for the Marriott chain and I think their hard work should be acknowledged.Again,
my sincere thank you for a job well done.
Sincerely
Wendy and Pudding
Room 308
Winter
'05
Last
week I was at a 4 day NEC function at your property. We had breakfast
and lunch daily.
I
was very impressed at the level of service that Sharon and the staff
offered. It is not only the freshness and taste of the food being
served, but when adding the wonderful service that Sharon exhibits,
it creates a great atmosphere.
Regards,
Barb
Telecommunications
Product Specialis
Winter
'05
After attending the NEC conference at your hotel last week I wanted
to send my appreciation for the fantastic service we received from
Sharon. Not only were the meals great, she made the experience memorable
through her personal service.
I
have been to many conferences and stayed in many hotels that claim
to have the highest level of customer service...but when it comes
down to it there is no substitute for a person who takes pride in
what they do...and isn't afraid to go the extra mile to make your
stay great.
I
know I'm not alone when I say that you've got a great team member
in Sharon!
Kevin
WBM
Office Systems
Winter
'05
I
just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you so much for making
our trip to Calgary a most enjoyable experience. Your hotel is first
class and the staff were incredible. Each and every member of our
Bid Committee has not stopped talking about how great we were treated
and the unbelievable rooms we were staying in. Thank you also for
the bottle of wine in our rooms. We were obviously under a great
deal of pressure and stress while preparing for our presentation
to Hockey Canada however, your hospitality made us all feel a lot
better and more relaxed once we arrived.
Once
again, on behalf of our Bid Committee, I want to say how much we
appreciated your hospitality, your staff and the great environment
of your establishment. If ever in Calgary again, I can guarantee
where each and every one of our Committee would chose to stay.
Thanks...
Blair McIntosh, Tourism London.
Winter
'04
I
am writing this letter to commend the Marriott Residence Inn in
Calgary, Alberta for making my stay the most rewarding and pleasurable
that I have ever experienced. The staff at the Marriott far exceeded
any of my expectations and went above and beyond to make sure that
I was satisfied. Please allow me to take a moment to share my story.
Upon
arriving to Calgary on a business trip for the United States Government
I was placed in a nearby neighboring hotel. I was to reside at this
particular hotel for the next three months. After one night, I quickly
realized that the arrangements I was provided with were not going
to suit my needs. The next day I began researching alternative hotel
properties, the first being the Marriott Residence Inn.
As
soon as I entered the building I was greeted by an incredibly friendly
front desk associate who then directed me to the hotels' sales associate.
I was given a walking tour of the hotel property and was able to
view the three types of rooms available. I was amazed at the size
and amenities that the rooms offered and without hesitation I made
reservations to move over the following day. I didn't feel the least
bit necessary to research any other hotel properties.
On
August 15th of 2002 I moved all of my belongings into my two bedroom
suite and already felt at home. I was once again greeted by friendly
staff, and upon entering my room I found a welcome basket containing
pasta, tomato sauce, and other goodies to begin my stay. I immediately
began utilizing the hotels beautiful indoor pool, weight room, and
evening reception hour. In the mornings there was a generous and
inviting buffet breakfast with the most energetic and friendly kitchen
crew I have ever encountered. Sharon truly made breakfast the best
meal of the day.
As
it turned out my three month stay was extended and I discovered
that I would be living in the hotel for the next year. For some
that may seem the unimaginable but I was quite pleased by the news
because the staff at the hotel was no longer just staff but friends.
I was easily referring to the hotel as my home and felt certain
that living their for a total of 14 months would be alright.
In
addition to me residing at the Marriott, I also learned that the
United States Government had intentions on sending several groups
of people to help me out, each of which would stay for three month
intervals. Although the government typically does the hotel reservations,
I ensured that all of my employees would be staying at the Marriott
Residence Inn. I was so certain that they would love it just as
much as me, that I didn't want them going any where else. I was
able to bring 15 employees to the Marriott at three month intervals
plus researched out to sister agencies and had their employees stay
their as well. Not one person was disappointed in their stay and
many shared the same experiences with the great staff and thoughtful
considerations to make our stay enjoyable.
Throughout
the fourteen months in Calgary, the staff did everything in their
power to accommodate my needs, ensure my happiness, and simply made
sure that I was comfortable at all times. On several occasions I
was invited to social engagements, bar-b-ques, and hotel parties.
As time passed I thought of the staff as my family because that
is exactly how they treated me. What a rare and unique experience
I was able to have and I will forever be grateful to everyone at
the Marriott.
So
why am I writing this letter to you? Well, I find it only necessary
to share my story with the upper management of the Marriott hotels
to make certain that they know what an amazing hotel the Residence
Inn in Calgary is. The staff and management are superior and I would
like commend Christopher Vachon for managing such a beautiful hotel.
My hope is that you will be able to pass along my sincere gratitude
to everyone at the hotel and to assure you that because of my experience
at the Marriott, I will continue to stay at Marriott's wherever
I go and will certainly tell my family, friends, and government
employees to stay at your hotels also.
Thank
you for taking the time to listen to my story and please don't hesitate
to be in contact with me. Thank you for providing comfortable and
friendly hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada and tell Calgary
to keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Mandy Small
Summer
I
recently (August 8-10) stayed in your hotel and would like to applaud
you and your staff. The entire hotel and site were spotless and
well groomed, the staff were pleasant and helpful and the complimentary
breakfast was far more than I ever expected. And then the room ...
I could not believe the size and set up of the room. You have everything
a person could need and far more both in the rooms and the amenities
on site. This was by far the best experience I have had at a hotel
and felt you should hear this. Thank you All!! p.s. Sharon set up
the reservation for us and she is wonderful - if it hadn't been
for her we may not have had this experience - Thanks Sharon!!!
Sincerely,
Ms. Clapp
Summer
On
a personal note, thank you for the excellent accommodations. The
staff at the hotel was fantastic. They just couldn't do enough for
me. I stay in many places and I have never felt like anyone appreciated
my business and was there to serve me as much as I felt it at the
Marriott Residence Inn. From what I understand, this hotel is new
in the area and I hope that you will help to pass the word on to
other businesses to be sure to use this facility for all their lodging
needs. With the number of hotels in any city, it would be a shame
for one like this to not be recognized. We both know that word of
mouth from a satisfied customer is the best advertising any business
can hope to get.
Cindy
Oldfather
Spring
Once
again, last weekend, I had the pleasure of staying at your wonderful
hostelry. I should have taken the time before to drop you a line,
because I know visitors are only too quick to complain and too slow
to praise. It's hard to say what I've found most pleasing about
your Inn, but in no particular order; The building and suite design
itself is very nice. Aesthetically pleasing and relaxing decor.
I like the idea of card locking side doors. Convenient for guests
but still secure. And plug-in parking stalls are very thoughtful.
The little things.... like the popcorn in the room. Everyone does
the in-room coffee, but the popcorn... That's a nice touch. As is
the jar of candies, and the "set" dinner table. Your calendar
on the fridge is a nice touch as well. The only things I could possibly
suggest would be a shower cap, and more than one ashtray in smoking
rooms. The breakfast.... Superb. A country mile ahead of your competitors.
And last but not least, your staff. Everyone I've encountered has
been pleasant, gracious, and very helpful. I've dealt with Georgina
the most and I must compliment you on her . She is extremely pleasant,
helpful and goes the extra mile while maintaining a aura of true
professionalism. The other staff have been all very helpful as well,
but I cite Georgina because I've dealt with her the most. All in
all, your Inn is great value for the money, and gives me a sense
of home. Well done. I look forward to my next visit.
John
Fowle
Fall
Dear
Mr. Vachon, Thank you very much for your personal letter to me in
Germany because I filled out the comments after my very enjoyable
stay in your Residence Inn Calgary. This was my first time in Calgary/Canada
and I was very very pleased with every aspect of service during
my stay. I can send you congratulations for your professional front
desk staff, which I asked for different information because of it
being my first time in Calgary. After a beautiful night in my bed
I enjoyed a very good breakfast buffet before I used the airport
shuttle back to the airport. After these beautiful hours in your
hotel I enjoyed also my flight with "American Airlines"
via USA back to Germany. Now I look forward and hope to find the
time to come back to Calgary/Canada next year. When I will travel
again to Calgary in the future then my first hotel choice is your
managed Marriott Residence Inn Calgary airport hotel. If I make
a room reservation in the future I hope that the same suite is available
then. Please take the time and send the best greetings from me in
Germany to your front desk staff. Send you also the best wishes
and greetings from Erndtebrück, Germany and see you soon as
possible next year.
Sincerely,
Olaf
