The Westin Buffalo may have just opened in September, but its operations are already award-winning.
The luxury lifestyle hotel – owned and operated by Delaware North at its global headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y. – was ranked number one for service among all 160 Westin hotels in North America for the month of November.
Properties are ranked monthly based on three guest satisfaction categories: likelihood to return to the hotel, likelihood to recommend the hotel and overall service. The Westin Buffalo earned its top marks less than three months after opening.
General Manager Tom Long said the Jacobs family’s desire for The Westin Buffalo to be the premier hotel in downtown Buffalo gave him a clear direction to make first-rate service a priority. He credited Rob Sobczyk, human resources manager at The Westin Buffalo, with recruiting a top-performing team.
“We were and continue to be extremely particular on finding the right people with the right commitment to service,” said Long. Of the staff, he continued: “They are required to have the passion to deliver our high standards consistently and effectively to each and every guest.”
Long also praised his leadership team, including Director of Sales and Marketing Russ Papia, Director of Operations Tim Stone, and Front Office Manager Samantha Elwell.
“Since our preopening days, they have all embraced the vision set by the Jacobs family and have been committed as role models,” Long said of his team. “They are consistently aware of their commitment to the details and personal touch, as well as the need to inspire others.”
The Westin Buffalo’s first-class operations have also caught the eye of several prominent media outlets. AAA Member Connection, the magazine for AAA members, featured the hotel in its Winter 2016 issue. The article highlights the hotel’s design, wellness features and vibrant downtown location.
The hotel was also the subject of a recent feature in The Toronto Star. “It can be difficult for a large hotel chain to feel special or compete with more tailored boutique offerings in any city, but the new Westin Buffalo manages to do just that,” the article states.
In addition, the piece highlights Patina 250, which is operated by Delaware North’s Patina Restaurant Group and is located adjacent to The Westin Buffalo in The Delaware North Building. “All hail Chef Homer Ford, who returned to Buffalo after several years in New York City,” it states of the restaurant’s executive chef. Calling Ford’s dishes “mouthwatering,” the author also praised the Westin’s family-friendly rooms, state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® facility and the brand’s renowned Heavenly® Bed products.