Author Archives: Kat Summers

Top 4 Pet-Friendly Places

Traveling with friends and loved ones is fun and all, but nothing turns the mood sour quite like realizing you can’t take your furry friends with you on the adventures! If you’ve brought your canine friend along for your trip outdoors, have no fear: there are plenty of places that welcome and cater to dogs. Here’s a list of dog-friendly lodgings and recreations from #1 to #4 that will be perfect for you and your pup!

Starting at #1 we have:

1. Flamingo Adventures at Everglades National Park, FL

All the little critters in the sea and swamps enjoy the sunshine, even dry land furry ones! Feel free to bring Buddy or Daisy at no charge while you camp in an Eco-Tent under the palm trees or hook up your RV to the group site. Sounds too good to be true? Just make sure to keep the leash under 6ft long, and all’s well.

2. The Lodge at Breckenridge, CO

Dress your pups up in scarves or cute sweaters and bring them along for a stay at The Lodge. Canine companions are welcome so long as they don’t jump on the furniture, don’t go for a walk in the fitness center or treat themselves to a spa day! It costs $30 per night for up to two dogs.

3. The Lodge at North Cascades, Stehekin, WA

The Lodge at Stehekin welcomes well-behaved dogs of any bark or yip. While there’s so much great outdoors to explore, from Lake Chelan to the Cascade Mountains at your footsteps, there’s only so much hotel lodging for your furry friend. When booking your trip at Stehekin, make sure to call ahead so your friend can have space to rest too. Pet fees are $25 per day (plus tax) per dog, for a maximum of two dogs.

Last but not least, at #4:

4. Echo Bluff State Park, MO

Echo Bluff is the perfect X destination! Explore the Sinking Creek by fishing pole or the Current River Trail by boots while you bring your pet companion for the journey. While you may stay at The Lodge your four-pawed pal may not. Be sure to call ahead for one of the pet-friendly cabins and pay the pet fee $20 per dog, per night, two dogs maximum.

January is the New December for Corporate Holiday Parties

Corporate parties are great for morale boosters and getting employees together, but parties in December aren’t always the most convenient for everyone. This year, wait the extra month to host your holiday get-together!

January is the new December for corporate parties, and here are six reasons why:

1. It’s more convenient for the employee

December is one of the busiest times of the year for everyone. Parties can add to the holiday stress, so waiting until January allows time for schedules to free up, and the season is slowing down for gathering together to celebrate.

2. More dates to choose from

Around the holidays, widespread availability is few and far at amazing event spaces during the holiday season, unless you book back in July. Skip the scheduling mess this year and wait until January for your planned corporate party at the place everyone loves!

3. It boosts company morale

After the holidays come to an end, morale can seem to fizzle out. Speed up the slower days by hosting your corporate party in January! Keeping employees motivated can seem tough, but not as much when there is something to plan and look forward to.

4. January is great for team-building exercises

Aside from the planned holiday party, the start of the new year can be a great time to get employees together for team building and collaborative exercises. Start the year strong by strengthening communication and collaboration among your employees.

5. Great way to kick off a new quarter

A new quarter means new goals and new tasks for employees. This thought can be daunting for some, so alleviate the nerves with a corporate party where employees can unwind and take time for themselves.

6. It’s cheaper!

Are you worried about expenses for corporate parties this year? Wait until January and save some money this time around, especially when booking your party outside of the office.

Bonus: To ensure a perfect January party, we have a few options!

The Lodge at Breckenridge | Breckenridge, Colorado

Visit The Lodge at Breckenridge and utilize the gorgeous 2000 square feet Mountain View Ballroom or the breathtaking Sky View Deck with 1200 square feet of space for your corporate event. You can view the catering menu and explore other options.

Big Sur Lodge | Big Sur, California

Big Sur Lodge has two event venues that are equipped with projection screens, easels, flip charts, and lecterns for your convenience. The accommodating staff can assist in renting any other multimedia audio and video equipment you may need, and rooms can be arranged to meet your design! Visit their website for more information on how to book your venue today!

Bear Mountain Inn | Tomkins Cove, New York

Look no further because the Bear Mountain Inn has the perfect ballroom to host up to 180 guests for any event. The Overlook Lodge is home to the Hudson Ballroom that features unforgettable views of the Hudson River, Hessian Lake, and the mountainside. Another great spot is the Merry Go Round Pavilion, perfect for a seated dinner or cocktail reception with a gorgeous carousel and spacious dance floor. For more information and booking, visit their website.

The Lodge at Wakulla Springs | Wakulla Springs, Florida

The Lodge at Wakulla Springs offers a beautiful venue fit for receptions and parties of any nature. The beautiful glass-enclosed terrace holds up to 120 people where The Lodge will provide food and bar services for your event. Book today to ensure your party date for this upcoming January. For further details, visit their website.

Echo Bluff State Park | Eminence, Missouri

Echo Bluff State Park is the perfect natural location for any corporate event, including team building! The skilled staff, delicious dining, and rustic accommodations will make any event unique and memorable. Visit their website to see what other options await!

No matter the rhyme or reason for your corporate party this year, January is a perfect time, and we have the perfect locations. Choosing from any one of these gorgeous venues is sure to make any party a memorable one.

Book with confidence by booking with Guest Services Inc.

StarPath 2019

The StarPath program is one way Guest Services expresses its commitment to its team members’ professional development. Through this collaborative, hands-on learning experience, Guest Services recognizes team members as high potential leaders and engages them to be future stars of the company.

Team members in various departments and at all levels of the organization work together to bring the StarPath program to life. StarPath participants are reviewed and selected by members of the executive team. Once selected, participants travel to Orlando, Florida, to experience a world-renowned leadership excellence seminar. Following this training, they tour two of our units that are considered to be Centers of Business Excellence and learn from Guest Services’ high performing leaders. The participants end their experience at the corporate office in Fairfax, Virginia, where they receive in-house leadership training and meet with the executive team. Guest Services believes that team members who have successfully graduated from the StarPath program will be prepared for positions of greater responsibility.

“The course was well put together, and to me, it was an invaluable training experience. I understand all of the costs associated with such an endeavor, and I am truly appreciative that I was able to take part in the entire StarPath program. I look forward to using my training in real-time, as well as in the future here at Guest Services,” says Christopher Sgro, a past participant of the StarPath program.

Guest Services values its’ team members and takes pride in recognizing those who achieve excellence in their work. Congratulations to the selected individuals of the 2019 StarPath program!