Thistle Marble Arch's treasured head of housekeeping, Barbara Sheridan, is celebrating her new title of Housekeeper of the Year. Barbara received the honour at the annual industry awards ceremony celebrating operational excellence within hotels; the Hotel Cateys 2010.
Also shortlisted in the competition were housekeepers from London's Athenaeum Hotel, London's Park Plaza Riverbank and Manchester's Radisson Blu Hotel at Manchester Airport. Barbara gladly collected the sought-after award at a glamorous ceremony held in central London.
Fondly regarded by the entire Thistle Marble Arch team, Barbara has proven herself as a true asset to the Thistle group for over 25 years, going above and beyond her busy housekeeping role at the 692 bed room hotel.
Managing and supporting a total of 95 housekeepers with her big, warm smile and quick sense of humour, nothing has proven too much trouble for the housekeeping star renowned for her sharp eye for detail.
Barbara takes it upon herself to look after guests' needs with a dedicated, passionate approach, greeting them on arrival and making sure their stay is as comfortable as possible. Known and respected by the team as a true expert in her field, Barbara encourages all her colleagues to continue improving, emphasising that the Thistle guest always comes first.
Barbara was nominated by Thistle Marble Arch's general manager, Ian Peck, to pay homage to all her efforts within the hotel at such a high-profile, industry awards ceremony. Ian commented: "Barbara is so fondly regarded here at Thistle Marble Arch, from colleagues and guests alike. She is a true ambassador for both our hotel and our group, assisting with all our departments to ensure the hotel is the friendliest, most welcoming hotel it can possibly be.
"We receive numerous letters from our guests thanking Barbara for her personal hospitality during their stay with us. The entire hotel team is delighted she has been recognised in this way - it is very much deserved."
Speaking of her recent accolade, Barbara said: "It is such a privilege to receive this prestigious award, I am thrilled. I have been working in the hotel industry for many years. I am so proud of my team and the hotel I have been at for 17 years. It was a dream come true to win. What a career highlight for me."
About Thistle
Thistle Hotels is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited which operates hotels throughout the UK. Thistle has 33 UK hotels, many in superb city centre locations, including London Hotels, Hotels near Marble Arch and 5 Star London Hotels.
Thistle also offers winter hotel deals, a selection of restaurants and a choice of excellent health and leisure facilities.
Thistle Hotels is the first hotel group to achieve Hospitality Assured accreditation, across its entire UK portfolio. Created by the Institute of Hospitality, the Hospitality Assured standard measures the quality within customer facing businesses across the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry.
Kymberley Hill, Guoman & Thistle Hotels, The Grosvenor, 101 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0SJ, 020 7868 6322, www.thistle.com
