100-Year Commitment to Impeccable Service Keeps the Legend Alive at The Grove Park Inn

The Concierge Assistant system enables historic property to meet 21st century guest expectations; contributes to a 97% guest satisfaction rate

Agoura Hills, CA (PRWEB) October 21, 2008 -- With a guest list that includes eight presidents, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Edison in its nearly 100 years of operation, The Grove Park Inn's legendary status is well-deserved. And with solid growth over the past 10 years, many recent awards and a continued investment in flawless service, the legend is not only living, but perhaps just entering its prime.

"At the Grove Park Inn, our vision is to fulfill our legacy as one of America's truly legendary resorts," said Front Office Manager Oscar Alvarez. "Personalized service is a key part of the equation. Every staff member is dedicated to delivering the Grove Park Inn experience to each guest, to view every guest request as special and to ensure everything required of them gets done. This is the meaning of our mantra, 'Everything We Do Matters.'"

Consistent satisfaction ratings over 97%

Last year, The Grove Park Inn implemented The Concierge Assistant (http://www.goldkeysolutions.com/OverLogbook.asp?Campaign=PRWebGPIOct212008)® system from Gold Key Solutions (http://www.goldkeysolutions.com/?Campaign=PRWebGPIOct212008), a comprehensive software solution, throughout the hotel to standardize its service and support its unique culture of superlatives. The results are impressive. According to Alvarez, monthly guest satisfaction ratings in the eight months since implementation have been consistently topped 97%, surpassing the property's 95% standard.

"We are providing better service because we have better, faster, more effective communication between departments with The Concierge Assistant," said Alvarez "All guest requests are logged in our property-wide system that up-levels them according to how long they are pending," said Alvarez. "Every appropriate staff member with password authority can quickly verify and respond to requests. For example, when a guest asks a concierge for limo service, the bell stand is alerted and can easily look up the guest's arrival and departure information to schedule the limo without searching through countless e-mails."

The Grove Park Inn, in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the most sought-after destinations in the South. With a AAA Four-Diamond rating, the Historic Hotels of America property offers:

•    512 guest rooms and suites

•    Many fine dining establishments

•    A Donald Ross-designed championship golf course

•    An award-winning, $42 million spa

Staying ahead of the game

Alvarez also appreciates how the system supports more personalized guest itineraries by matching them to guest profiles and printing them on Grove Park Inn stationary. "For example, if guests are going to the arts and crafts show in Weaverville, the system reminds us of their dining preferences and suggests options in the area that they might enjoy. Guests can plan their whole day around our recommendation or return to the hotel for dinner. In either event, they are always impressed that we anticipated their requests."

Other advantages of the system:

•    A faster more professional guest service process thanks to automated accurate information on local locations, events, restaurants, etc.;

•    Consolidated information about the best golf courses and other venues in Asheville, as well as Yellow Pages, Rolodex information and Internet links;

•    Professional-looking guest itineraries printed automatically with directions and contact information.

Alvarez also said his staff is happier at their positions because The Concierge Assistant helps them do a better job. "There is so much information available on events in the Asheville region, it used to take forever for our team to put together an itinerary," explained Alvarez. "Now a wealth of information is at our finger tips and guests tell us they are amazed at how quickly we are able to meet their needs."

About The Grove Park Inn

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is one of the South's most venerable and famous grand resorts. Built in 1913 from granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain, the resort overlooks the Asheville skyline and provides guests with majestic views of the legendary Blue Ridge Mountains.

About Gold Key Solutions

Gold Key Solutions (http://www.goldkeysolutions.com/Vision.asp?Campaign=PRWebGPIOct212008)' The Concierge Assistant improves guest services and staff communication by creating orderliness and accuracy throughout the entire concierge process for hotels of all types. The Windows-based software application increases staff efficiency and reduces expenses by automating all guest services activities and reporting, allowing managers to put in place a standard of excellence that may be continually refined. The Concierge Assistant is used by over 400 full-service Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood, St. Regis, Four Seasons and other quality properties. The Concierge Assistant is also employed by many residential living properties and by personal assistant and professional concierge companies to optimize services to each client.

Contact:

Gold Key Solutions

Newton Gore, President

Phone: (818) 865-0006

Email: newt@goldkeysolutions.com

28720 Roadside Drive

Suite 276

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

http://www.goldkeysolutions.com/?Campaign=PRWebGPIOct212008

The Grove Park Inn

Jim Monastra

Phone: (800) 438-0050 ext. 8945

Email: jmonastra@groveparkinn.com

http://www.groveparkinn.com

Media Contact:

Julie Squires

Softscribe Inc.

Phone: 404-256-5512

Email: Julie@softscribeinc.com

180 River Springs Drive NW

Atlanta, GA 30328

www.softscribeinc.com

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