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Amitabh Sharma, Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer A call to the Hilton Kingston hotel gives you a fair chance of being greeted by the pleasant voice of Patrick Lewis. "I love to be the first point of contact, it comes naturally," declared Lewis, telecommunications agent at the hotel. He said that he views this position with pride and takes it seriously. "There is no room for complacency," he said, "Guests can smell service from a zillion miles." Lewis, who joined Hilton Kingston in December 2005, displays the same zeal and professionalism five years down the line. He attributes this attitude to the high standards that were expected of him by his parents when he was growing up. "My parents were instrumental in instilling values of honesty, integrity and best practices, which help me till today," the 37-year-old Lewis recalled. He grew up in Portmore, St Catherine, where he attended Independence City All-Age and then went to Kingston Techni...

Amitabh Sharma Features Coordinator Published February 3, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica The aroma of fresh coffee and delectable fare emanates from Cafecino Café in the Lobby of Hilton Kingston and, topped with that, the cheerful Nicolette Quest, the jovial server, adds to the warm welcome. "I am a people person, I love to smile and joke," says Quest, who was born and raised in Tivoli Gardens and still resides there with her seven-year-old son, Brandon. Her pursuit of excellence did not stop there. In June 2005, she joined the Hilton family in the capacity of server in the Cafecino Café located in the Lobby. Nicky (as she is called) is jovial and friendly by nature. She always wears a ready smile. "I want to make the people feel at home and introduce them to Jamaica," she says. A proactive and creative person, she exhibited these skills last year on Heroes Day, when she provided tidbits on each table of the national heroes so that guests (especially the...

Amitabh Sharma Features Coordinator PUBLISHED, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica The first thing that strikes you about Maudrie Swaby-Rose is her smile, exuding warmth and welcome to guests checking into the Hilton Kingston hotel. As a room attendant, she is that critical element which makes the stay comfortable and memorable. "I love to take care of people and try to make them happy," says Swaby-Rose, who has been employed to the Hilton Kingston since 1998. She grew up in Salmon Town in the parish of South Manchester, was a middle-distance runner and wanted to make a career in athletics, but fate had something else in store for her. "When I went to school, the track-and-field scholarships were on hold, so it was all about academics," she recalls. Swaby-Rose is considered to be one of the drivers of the Housekeeping Department. She goes about her duties with energy and smile that melts everyone she comes into contact with. "I try to make th...