AICR

Wellington’s leading five-star hotel, the Bolton Hotel, is celebrating after its front-of-house receptionist, Heather Firth, was named Wellington Hotel Receptionist of the Year.

The prestigious award was presented to Heather at an event hosted by the Association of Room Divisions Executives of New Zealand (ARDENZ), recently.

Ms Firth, who has worked at the Bolton Hotel since January 2008, was nominated for the competition by the Hotel’s Client Service Manager, Meredith Ellis.

Meredith Ellis said: “We are thrilled that Heather won this award, and gained the recognition that she deserves. She is a valued member of our reception team, who do a fantastic job front-of-house. Reception is the first point of call for guests of the hotel, and it is important that the service received is of an extremely high standard. Heather winning this award shows that our staff training and the resulting customer service is of this high standard, which is a great endorsement of the hotel and what we stand for.”

The tough competition, which was entered by receptionists from around the greater Wellington region, comprised a number of elements. Heather faced a panel of judges, underwent role-playing and scenarios, and completed a written questionnaire. This is the first year that the Bolton Hotel has entered the competition.

In addition to working part-time at the Bolton Hotel, Heather is also studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Victoria University. Heather, who is originally from Kerikeri, Northland, has worked in the industry since 2002 and her prior experience includes a front office internship at the Phoenix Airport Marriot in Arizona, United States, as well as front desk positions at the Langham Hotel in Auckland, the Copthorne Hotel and Resort in the Bay of Islands and the Radisson Hotel in Sydney.

Warwick Angus, Director of the Bolton Hotel said: “This is a great honour, not only for Heather, but for the Bolton Hotel. This award demonstrates industry recognition of our services, and is consistent with our desire to deliver an incomparable level of accommodation in a friendly and professional setting.”

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