HB’s on the Gulf, the beachfront restaurant at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, has once again captured the prestigious “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator magazine. This marks the eighth consecutive year that the popular restaurant has won the award, according to Jim Anderson, the resort’s food & beverage director.

The “Award of Excellence” is given to restaurants in recognition of their commitment to a fine wine list, with a diverse selection of better producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Wine lists need to be extensive, and usually offer 100 or more quality wine selections. HB’s wine list features more than 150 selections from around the world, including a 4-year vertical of Australia’s Penfolds Grange, and a number of high quality small production wines. This year’s award winners will be listed in the August 31, 2012 issue of Wine Spectator.

“We are very proud that HB’s has again received this acclaimed award,” said Anderson. “It recognizes our longstanding commitment to provide a very nice variety of wine selections, at different price points, for our customers. Our wine program is very important to us. We work hard to accommodate the diverse needs of our customers, who are very knowledgeable about wine. This recognition nicely highlights this commitment.”

Dining at the restaurant provides the opportunity to experience such menu offerings as Portobello Quesadilla, Fried Calamari, Seared Jerk Rubbed Shrimp, Penne Primavera, Shrimp and Scallop Provencal, Mediterranean Stuffed Swordfish, Macadamia Crusted Grouper Medallions, Rosemary Roasted Lamb Chops, and Grilled Rib Eye Steak.

Named after the landmark resort’s founder Henry Broadwell Watkins Sr., HB’s on the Gulf is the city of Naples’ only beachfront restaurant. Serving fresh regional seafood, great steaks and American cuisine, the restaurant offers indoor dining with stunning views of the Gulf, as well as an outdoor patio overlooking the water. Consistently recognized as one of Southwest Florida’s best places to view a sunset, HB’s is a zero transfat restaurant which serves an array of offerings, including a selection of natural and organic items. The restaurant serves the highest-quality products, which includes only line-caught fish, and animal products that are sourced from farms with the highest-quality standards that practice safe and humane treatment.

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club has received the prestigious “Pinnacle Award” for 2012 from Successful Meetings magazine. This marks the ninth consecutive year the resort has received the honor, which recognizes the best meeting hotels, destinations, and conference centers, as determined by votes by the magazine’s readers. The award will be presented to Jason Parsons, general manager of the 317-room newly renovated resort, which is Southwest Florida’s only resort directly on the beach with an on-site championship golf course, a world-class spa, and an award-winning tennis center. The 125-acre resort features 34,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and many beautiful outdoor venues.
 
Considered one of the most prestigious awards in the meetings industry, Successful Meetings magazine’s “Pinnacle Award” is given only to those hotels and resorts that represent the highest standards of excellence. The award is determined by votes from corporate and association meeting planners, as well as event and incentive specialists. The awarded hotels and organizations were selected for doing an outstanding job servicing their meetings, incentive travel programs, trade shows, and conventions during the previous year. The winning hotels and resorts are recognized in Successful Meetings’ annual “Pinnacle Registry,” published in August 2012.
 
“Receiving this award for the ninth consecutive year shows what an outstanding choice The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is for meetings, incentive programs and conventions,” said Parsons. “It recognizes the excellent service our entire staff does on a consistent basis, as well as our exceptional resort facilities, and unbeatable setting.”
 
Not resting on its many laurels, the resort completed an impressive multi-phase $22 million renovation in 2011. This included a complete renovation of guest rooms and suites, a refurbished golf course, and a renovated and expanded Sunset Beach Bar & Grill.

"We are constantly striving to provide the best experience to all guests – meeting attendees and leisure guests alike," said The Shores Resort & Spa General Manager David Rijos. “Being one of only 15 properties recognized nationwide is an extremely prestigious distinction.  We are honored to be included in such an elite list.”   

Offering more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor adaptable function space – from oceanside executive boardrooms and a private beachfront terrace, to a grand ballroom and sky-level meeting space with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway – the intimate and boutique property is able to accommodate groups of up to 400.  Guests are welcomed with personalized service and a long list of luxurious guest amenities, including Oceanside fire pits, exceptional dining and catering, personalized service, and an intimate spa.  Ideally located on a quiet stretch of world famous Florida shoreline, The Shores gracefully blends luxury, comfort, service and style into an extraordinary beachfront retreat boasting 212 guestrooms and suites with private balconies or terraces.

For more information or to plan your next meeting or special event, call the Group Sales office at (866) 934-SHORES or visit www.shoresresort.com.

Marco Beach Ocean Resort

“We are honored to have been selected especially since the votes are coming from the brides. The resort is a perfect place for a romantic beach wedding,” said Robert Fesik, General Manager.

The all suite Marco Beach Ocean Resort overlooking the Gulf of Mexico brings stellar service, lodging and dining to Marco Island, one of the fabled Ten Thousand Islands located between Naples and the Florida Everglades, on Southwest Florida’s beautiful Gulf coast.

For more information please visit www.marcoresort.com.

About Marco Beach Ocean Resort

The all-suite Marco Beach Ocean Resort brings excellent service, lodging and dining to Marco Island, one of the fabled Ten Thousand Islands located between Naples and the Florida Everglades, on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. Marco Beach Ocean Resort features a variety of dining experiences, a spa and fitness center, a sparkling pool and four miles of white sand beach. The resort’s Concierge and the highly-trained international service staff accommodates personal tastes and regularly exceeds expectations.

Distinctions:

• AAA Four-Diamond Award winner                                
• Preferred Hotels & Resorts member                           
• Florida Green Lodging Program Designation
• Pinnacle Award winner from Successful Meetings
• WRAP Award

For more information please visit www.marcoresort.com.

Guest Service Gold, a guest service training program from EI, trains employees and properties how to achieve a new standard of exceptional service based on the philosophy of emotionally engaging with guests in memorable and exceptional ways.

There are three main components to Guest Service Gold: training, employee certification, and property certification. In order for the Beacon Hotel to be designated a Certified Guest Service Property, every employee was required to complete specific training and pass a comprehensive exam.

“Exceptional customer service is a number one priority at the Beacon South Beach Hotel,” said Elvis Taylor, general manager of the Beacon South Beach Hotel. “While we are always looking to improve benefits and amenities for our guests, we are also working to ensure they receive outstanding service on property. EI’s Guest Service Gold certification is just one more way we demonstrate our commitment to our guests.”

Twenty-eight team members at the Beacon South Beach Hotel received the Certified Guest Service Professional designation at the completion of their training and the hotel was presented with a plaque denoting its achievement. The property celebrated its achievement with an award ceremony at the property that included a cake and refreshments.

To learn more about Guest Service Gold and the Certified Guest Service Property and Certified Guest Service Professional designations, visit www.ahlei.org/guestservicegold, or call 800-752-4567 or 517-372-8800.  Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 407-999-8100.

“The Paradise Coast’s resorts and hotels have for years set high standards for customer service satisfaction, which is reflected in this year’s showing of five properties in our region on Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 150 U.S. Mainland Resorts list,” said Jack Wert, executive director for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB. 

Guest Service Gold, a new guest service training program from EI, trains employees and properties how to achieve a new standard of exceptional service based on the philosophy of emotionally engaging with guests in memorable and exceptional ways. There are three main components to Guest Service Gold: training, employee certification, and property certification.

In order for the Nick Hotel to be designated a Certified Guest Service Property, every employee was required to complete specific training and pass a comprehensive exam.

“Exceptional service is a top priority at the Nick Hotel,” said Jim Struna, director of marketing and revenue management for Nickelodeon Suites Resort.  “While we are always creating new and exciting experiences for our guests, we are also working to ensure they receive outstanding service on property.  Guest Service Gold is just one more way we demonstrate our commitment to excellence.”