Homewood Suites by Hilton recognizes top hotels of 2007

Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of all-suite, residential-style hotels, has announced the winners of its annual Property Awards. Each year, the brand honors more than 80 hotel teams and individuals for exceeding performance goals and expectations. Additionally, Homewood Suites gives hotel team members, peers and owners the opportunity to nominate individuals who continually exceed expectations in leadership and performance.

"We truly have some of the best teams in the hotel industry and this is our way of recognizing the people who play such a pivotal role in making our guests feel at home," said Rebecca Wyatt, senior vice president, brand management, Homewood Suites by Hilton. "Especially in the extended-stay segment, where the majority of our guests are with us for several nights, exceptional service is imperative to the growth and success of the brand."

Winning teams and individuals will be recognized at the brand’s annual conference in May.

The Connie Pride Award for Hotel of the Year was presented to Homewood Suites Philadelphia/Valley Forge, overseen by John Tomaselli, general manager. Located in Audubon, Pa., this hotel and its team members have demonstrated a high level of commitment and leadership. The Pride Award recognizes hotels that excel on key components, including quality assurance audits measuring cleanliness, condition and brand standards; customer scores rating staff service and the quality of the hotel’s physical accommodations, and extended-stay business percentages.

Pride Awards of Merit were bestowed to the following hotels and general managers:
- Albany, N.Y. – Nancy Langford
- Alexandria, Va. – Charles Gellad
- Burlington, Ontario, Canada – Matt Costanza
- College Station, Texas – Mechelle Milliorn
- Colorado Springs – Airport
- Colo. – Debbie Karrer
- Columbia, Md. – Jeanette Cross
- Del Mar, Calif. – Ann Marie Kimble
- Detroit/Troy, Mich. – Melissa Whitcomb
- Manchester – Airport, N.H. – Julie Scott
- New Orleans – Downtown, La. – Dennis Pearse
- Portsmouth, N.H. – Al Nazzaro
- Syracuse/Liverpool, N.Y. – Michelle Ridgeway
- Toronto – Oakville, Ontario, Canada – Nazek Black
- Wichita, Kan. – Shana Hill

This year’s Top Performing New Hotel was Portsmouth, N.H., overseen by Al Nazzaro, general manager. Awards of merit in this category included the following all-suite hotels and general managers:
- Bethlehem – Airport, Pa. – Rob McDevitt
- Fargo, N.D. – Tom Kasper
- Houston – Stafford, Texas – Michelle Virate
- Louisville – East, Ky. – Audra Axtel

John Tomaselli, general manager of the Philadelphia/Valley Forge, Pa. Homewood Suites was awarded General Manager of the Year, and Amy Amirault, director of sales for the Portsmouth, N.H. property was recognized as Director of Sales of the Year.

About Homewood Suites by Hilton
Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand now has more than 220 hotels open with approximately 130 in the development pipeline. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, Homewood Suites guests can find at each hotel an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, exercise facility and guest laundry at most locations. Guests can also enjoy a daily complimentary Suite Start hot breakfast and a Welcome Home reception featuring a complimentary light meal and beverages Monday-Thursday evenings. Additional guest services at Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels include a complimentary grocery shopping service* and a complete business center at most locations.

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*Guest pays for groceries. Other restrictions apply.

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