Have you noticed that the Holiday Inn Express is now
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The Round Hill Inn
More than just a name change.
Dana Kierstead, Manager
Carl Owens, Owner
750 Round Hill Dr.
Orange, VA 22960
A little background:
"The Torchbearer Award is given to hotels that have achieved the highest level of excellence in all aspects of operation from quality to customer satisfaction" says Kirk Kinsell, InterContinental Hotels Group President of the Americas. "Created to honor the best of the best, as measured by our guest, this award is presented to hotels that raise the bar even further. These outstanding hotels carry our torch and represent the highest achievement in quality and service."
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Kierstead and Owens
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What can you possibly do when you operate a hotel that has received ten Torch Bearer Awards, nine of which were in a row? You break away from the corporate entity and go it independently.
The previous Orange Holiday Inn Express was rated in the top 1% for customer satisfaction worldwide. A distinction that few HIE's can boast. So when you're at the top of the best what in the world would be the incentive to leave that entity and start new? According to Carl Owens, owner of the hotel, "It is the ability to do a few things for our guests that we were not otherwise allowed to do."
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Distinction and comfort
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"There's a national trend with today's travelers toward a more 'boutique' or 'unique' type of hotel preference." Owens explained, "Travelers are expecting their stay to better reflect the locality of where they're staying. Even the large chains are developing offshoot boutique hotels reflecting the city's character. With us providing our own image we're free to do a few things for our customers that will make their stay more memorable and better impress their visit to Orange."
But there are some changes coming that will be noticeably different. One of the projects they have in mind is a patio off the back that will include a fire pit and conveniences for gathering outside. "To be able to sit outside and watch the sun go down will be a wonderful thing for our visitors. They can enjoy the tranquility of our sunrises and sunsets and the amazing view."
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It would be hard to find a cleaner, more accommodating hotel anywhere.
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Owens went on to say that, "We have guests from all over the world: China, India, and England. Most come for student enrollment and visitation at Woodberry Forest. We also host many repeat visitors for their business conferences from Virginia Beach and Northern Virginia. They'll combine their business schedule with dining locally and a visit to Montpelier or the wineries."
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The pool area.
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Both of the gentlemen agreed on advice to those preparing to stay at a hotel that, "You should call the hotel directly. Do not go through a travel agency. In most cases," they explained, "we can give you a better rate and the experience of a visit should start here with us. We can
share points of interest, and offer advice on where to eat or shop." Again, providing customer service not allowed under the commercial protocols.
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It's all about visitor comfort and service.
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Another of the things that both Kierstead and Owens are inharmony with is their attitude about giving back to thecommunity. "We live and work here," said Kierstead, "we appreciate the area and have made friends here. Our giving back comes around and it makes the area a better place to visit."
