Bayside Resort's Jack Chambers said he was completely surprised to learn recently that he had been nominated and awarded a hospitality honour. (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

Award booked

‘Customer service is number one:’ Parksville hotel manager wins hospitality honour

Nov 26, 2024 | 3:53 PM

PARKSVILLE — With more than 330 hotels across Canada to compete with, a Parksville hotel manager well known for his friendly, helpful demeanor came out on top.

Jack Chambers, front desk manager at Bayside Resort, recently secured the Spirit of Hospitality Award courtesy of parent company Choice Hotels Canada.

Chambers learned the importance of making his guests their top priority while working years ago in the cruise ship industry.

“That first impression is so important, it’s the one that makes people feel welcomed; Not just me, my whole team I think is really good at that — they’re pleasant, they’re engaging, there’s sincerity,” Chambers told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Growing up in a big family in a small town, Chambers believes in old-fashioned service, which he said makes a difference with their guests.

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Described as a “Jack of all trades,” Chambers is more than willing to clean up a mess if a housekeeper isn’t available and perform various maintenance tasks in guest rooms.

He said being in the service industry requires going the extra mile.

“If that means finding you a taxi, we’ll do it, if that means I have to make the drive, I’ll do it. Whatever makes that guest feel important and get to their next destination in safety and good welfare, we’re happy to do it.”

Originally from Ontario, Chambers has worked at Bayside Resort for nearly four years and has lived in Parksville with his family since 2007.

He said it’s critical to provide an enhanced, genuine form of person-to-person service in an ever-evolving, technology-dominated world.

“We can be replaced by apps and by machines and technology, so customer service — I don’t think just in our business, in every business — is number one.”

In a news release, Bayside Resort general manager Darren Watson stated Chambers’ passion for hospitality is contagious.

“I have never met a kinder and more genuine person in all my years in this industry and we are lucky to have him – no one deserves this award more than him,” Watson stated.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes