Of the six categories Conde Nast Traveler readers use to rank their favorite cities in the magazine’s annual survey, one is particularly personal. While evaluating lodging, restaurants and shopping is pretty straight forward, friendliness is based entirely on real people’s first hand experience with our destination. We know there are untold heroes working in our hospitality community. That’s why we’ve begun saluting Charlestonly Ambassadors, frontline folks who take pride in providing a customer service experience that is second to none. It’s our way of saying Thanks Y’all for helping the Charleston area put its best face forward everyday.
Please join us in saluting the three newest Charlestonly Ambassadors Rachel Sneed of Planters Inn, Suzie Cohen of Renaissance Charleston Historic District and Augusta Allen of Spiritline Cruises.
Ask Rachel Sneed if she provides gracious hospitality to her guests, and she may say, “I do.”
An older couple became so smitten with the beautiful Planters Inn courtyard, they decided it was the perfect setting for their wedding. After a 35-year engagement, they did not want to waste time, so they decided to return the following weekend to tie the knot. Rachel, the sales manager-turned wedding planner arranged to have a wedding cake, bouquet and boutonniere for the couple’s outdoor wedding within the week. It rained the day of the ceremony, but Rachel didn’t let the weather put a damper on the day. She moved the ceremony indoors in a flash, and the couple was very pleased with Rachel’s ability to get them wed.
Next we have Suzie Cohen, whose colleagues submitted several stories to illustrate her hospitable nature. This story stood out:
Two days prior to New Year’s Eve, a guest contacted Suzie with requests that went above and beyond the call of duty. The guest wanted to propose to his girlfriend on one of the busiest hospitality nights of the year, so Suzie pulled all kinds of strings and orchestrated an unbelievable evening filled with a carriage, romantic dinner, flowers, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. The answer was yes!
Last, but definitely not least, is Augusta Allen who goes the extra mile by sea and highway alike.
Augusta was working the front desk when a guest called in a panic after leaving her cell phone on the dinner cruise boat. The guest was in town from Michigan, attending a conference, and desperately needed the phone. Augusta called the crew, located the phone, and then drove it to the guest’s hotel near the Isle of Palms connector—quite a detour from her home in Moncks Corner.
Rachel, Suzie and Augusta: you are the newest Charlestonly Ambassadors!