Hello, welcome to our weekly blog! 

 

I like to use the blog to document all the goings on in the hotel throughout the week, good and bad, and I certainly haven't had to think about what to write this week! 

 

Picture the scene....early evening on Friday, already starting to get dark.  After a busy lunch service, we were getting set up for our evening diners.  The 3 pm check in rush was about to begin as we welcomed our first residents.

 

I do the housekeeping shift every Friday, as I enjoy disappearing upstairs and getting to work in a completely different kind of environment.  I get such satisfaction out of seeing a brand new tidy room, ready to welcome the next guests! I don't wear my uniform on a Friday, as I do so much running around doing the bedrooms, and let's just say, I don't have many presentable practicle clothes! So here I am, sitting at reception, stepping in for a moment to operate the check in desk as the rest of the team were so busy, in my worst housekeeping gear, and in walks a face I recognise, but can't quite place at first.  I finish processing the couple at the desk, and say hello to the gentleman that's waiting.  "How can I help?" I ask, "Checking in" he answers.  "What name please Sir?" "Shane Lynch" he replies.  The penny immediately drops, and I look up, heart skips a beat and my palms get sweaty! "Thee Shane Lynch" I ask, "Once upon a time" he answers.  Extends has hand and I shake it, "pleased to meet you" he says.  I show him to his room and he heads straight out.

 

We all just look at each other, breath out and start jumping around the restaurant! We are all on such a high as we try to explain to the young team, that a member of one of the most famous boybands in history has just checked into the hotel! We just couldn't believe it.

 

Total innocent excitement from some late 30 and early 40 year olds who grew up lsitening to Boyzone!

 

I wondered what would bring Shane to Castle Douglas?  Would we even see him again and if so would he mind getting a picture?  Cut to later that evening when he returns and takes a seat at the bar! Well, it took all of 5 minutes to feel like I was talking to an old friend! What a genuine, lovely, friendly person.  Visiting for the Scottish Rally, we talked about cars,  and although I have a lack of knowledge about anything sports related, I really enjoed hearing all about rally driving! Some more hotel guests also here for the rally joined us and we just chatted the night away! So was the tone of his visit, friendly, approachable, kind and humble.

 

Shane spent Saturday evening in the lounge and was always happy to get a picture with anyone who asked him! Looking back, it was all a very surreal experience and it took us all a good few days to come down from it, it was a real highlight of my time here at the hotel, and spurred on a lot of reminiscing about our teenage years and explaining to the kids about how it all was back then! 

 

The whole experience was just a great excitement and heartwarming to chat so freely too. Of course I passed on my card and told him the kettle was always on if he was passing, you never know! It would truly be a pleasure to welcome him back once again.

 

Another way to describe just how amazing a career in hospitality can be, never knowing what is coming, or who will walk through the door.  I like to talk, a lot, and and can never sit still, so I can't imagine another career that would suit me better! 

 

I was going to blog about our ladies pool team this week, but that will have to wait! 

 

Thanks for reading everyone, have a great weekend.

 

Emma xxx