Broughton Quarterly - Summer 2008 - (Page 8) plugged in THE iNN-FORMER With broughton Vice President Jim Sichta Got a question? Send it to JS@BroughtonHospitality.com hONOR & ExCELLENCE Q W What’s all the fuss about “green” travel? is it really something i should be concerned about, or is this just about hotels not wanting to wash my used towels? Phrases like green travel and ecotourism used to conjure visions of sleeping in tree houses. These days, of course, green is everywhere you look—the color du jour in virtually every industry. I don’t want to toot our own hospitality horn, but for years people have poked fun at those little tent signs on pillows asking guests to choose whether to have their linens and towels laundered daily. Cynical guests assume it’s a guise to save money on housekeeping, but now that everyone’s jumping on the green bandwagon people are beginning to realize that every little bit counts. Green travel is a very real approach to travel, and an essential way to protect the places you love to visit. When booking a hotel, ask about their recycling programs, their programs to reduce consumption, their energy saving strategies, and how they contribute to the community. And you can help too, whether staying at a hotel or Chez In-Law. Take shorter showers, reuse your linens, bring your own toiletries, and when you leave your room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights, and any other electrical devices. By taking a train instead of a plane, you can turn an expensive exercise in aggravation into a nostalgic green adventure. When you arrive at your destination, go sightseeing on foot, or by bicycle. Whatever shade of green you decide to embrace, remember the importance of protecting the places you visit for future generations. e are pleased to recognize aNthONY VELtRi of The Willows Hotel in Chicago as our most recent recipient of the Honor & Excellence award for making a difference while touching the lives of others. Anthony’s commitment to service goes well beyond his role as Guest Services Host. In 1992, he joined the Army National Guard and went on active duty in Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Anthony Veltri And WilliAm Burrill oF the WilloWs hotel in ChiCAgo, illinois and Bosnia. He then served in the Air Force Reserve, supporting the global war on terrorism and the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Among his many commendations, Anthony has been awarded two National Defense Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. He is currently a Sergeant in the Army National Guard, and is applying to Officer Candidate School. We are pleased to present Anthony Veltri with Broughton Hospitality’s Honor & Excellence award, along with a trophy and check for one thousand dollars. RaiSiNg thE baR K Q i get so frustrated trying to find my suitcases on baggage carousels. Every other piece of luggage looks just like mine! Finding your bags can be a daunting task, especially when the scene looks more like a mosh pit at a Metallica concert than a baggage claim “lounge” for exhausted travelers. Though I don’t have much advice to help you secure that shin-scraping front line position at the carousel, I can suggest that you’ll be a lot safer (and considerably more intimidating) by donning football pads and a helmet before the bags start flying down the chute. The real challenge, of course, is when you’re two rows of tourists deep and can only see a line of nearly identical black rectangles snaking their way around. It seems that luggage manufacturers took a hint from Henry Ford when they decided we could pick any color suitcase we’d like—as long as it was black. First and foremost: whenever possible, avoid checking baggage. Of course, we all know that the only folks who don’t check bags are flight attendants and road warrior nerds, so if you’re like most of us and don’t enjoy washing clothes in a sink, checked baggage is a necessity. Make sure yours stands out in a crowd; go for neon colors, or a leopard print (you’ll probably even save some money). Another tip is to tie multi-colored yarn on your bags. Not only will you see them on the carousel, you can use the yarn to knit yourself a sweater while you wait for the rest of the bags. For those who can plan ahead, ship your bags to your destination. Many companies specialize in this service, and even the major ones work well. Trust me, the FedEx guy won’t mind at all if you have a neon green bag with yellow daisies. eeping pace with the evolving character of the Santa Ynez Valley, THE WiNE VALLEy iNN iN SOLVANG has undergone a multi-milliondollar renovation. “We’re excited to offer our guests these improvements, and believe the contemporary, upbeat design reflects the nature and direction of the Santa Ynez Valley,” says Larry Broughton, CEO and President of Broughton Hospitality, which owns and operates the property. Changes began five years ago with a new name, and steady improvements have followed, including fresh paint, new furniture and beddings, and renovated bathrooms in all guestrooms and cottages. The Inn’s breakfast room has been moved and expanded, and a spacious sitting area off the main lobby now welcomes guests with comfy chairs and a double-sided, indoor-outdoor fireplace. Additional suites featuring a contemporary, openbed look with crisp new jacquard linens have been added to the room mix. The décor is soothing and upbeat, reminiscent of the region’s sprawling ranches and world-class wineries. Opening in August, a new in-house spa will raise the bar yet again, offering guests a variety of luxurious treatment options. Log onto the new website at WineValleyInn.com. 8 Broughton Quarterly Summer 2008 http://WineValleyInn.com
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