Excellence in Service: City Lodge Awards Gala

The City Lodge Hotel group, held its annual leaders’ conference this month, with the conference culminating in a prestigious gala dinner where the top performers were honoured. The event celebrated numerous categories from F&B to rising star, operations to CEO’s choice award, the focus of the conference and awards were on the people within the group that had exceptional contributions to hospitality and service excellence.

The Awards Committee, comprising the group’s executives, followed a rigorous process to not only recognise talent, but reward and celebrate leadership, team work and exceptional team achievements.

The following awards were given out during the ceremony:

• The Rising Star Award: Wania Malik, assistant GM: Food & Beverage at City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood
• The Player’s Player Award: Jani Ligthelm, GM at Road Lodge Centurion
• The People Award: Elzabe de Jager, GM at City Lodge Hotel Johannesburg Airport, Barbara Road
• The Food and Beverage Awards, by brand and overall:
  • Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha (GM Erich Oberhauser)
  • City Lodge Hotel Bloemfontein (GM Stephan Pietersen)
  • Town Lodge Roodepoort (GM Roslyn Khumalo)
  • Road Lodge Randburg (GM Marvin Theron)
  • City Lodge Hotel Bloemfontein – overall winner for the group
• The WOW Award: Liz Clarke, GM at City Lodge Hotel Waterfall City
• The Revenue Driver Award: Mariska von Richter, GM at Town Lodge Johannesburg Airport
• Hotel Operation of the Year Awards, by brand and overall:
  • Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City (GM Brendon Luttig)
  • City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport (GM Ian Laughland)
  • Town Lodge Roodepoort (GM Roslyn Khumalo)
  • Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport (GM Johan Prinsloo)
• Overall winner: City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport
• CEO’s Award – Group Hotelier of the Year: Ian Laughland, GM at City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport

What was clear was the focus, on the internal staff that are as chief executive officer, Andrew Widegger put it “the heartbeat of City Lodge Hotels”. Widegger went on to add that “these annual awards celebrate the dedication, innovation, and passion that drive our success. It’s a privilege to recognise those who go above and beyond to make our guests feel at home and to create memorable experiences every day. Our award winners set the standard for leadership and service across the group, and we’re immensely proud of what they’ve achieved.” What is clear to see is that human capital, or most explicitly their people is the clear driving force of what City Lodge believe is their differentiating factor.

For more industry related news, click here.