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.

It starts with a nomination from a colleague and culminates with a surprise visit from the CVB prize patrol!

To date, our Charlestonly Ambassadors include Paul Brennan, night auditor at the Wentworth Mansion;  Laura Cady, VIP Coordinator  at Charleston Place; and Isabel Wells, front desk staff at the Hyatt Place Charleston Airport/Convention Center.

We salute Paul for going the extra mile—literally!  Getting stranded in the rain while on vacation is never fun, which is why it was a great relief to guest at the Wentworth Mansion when Paul used his own car to play taxi on a night when regular cabs were otherwise booked.

We salute Laura for helping a guest surprise his wife with a new dress upon arrival at Charleston Place. Laura spent her lunch breaks searching King Street boutiques for the perfect dress. She snapped photos of options at 10 stores, which she emailed to the guest. He selected his favorite, and it was waiting in the suite—much to the wife’s delight—upon check in.

We salute Isabel for assisting a Comair flight attendant who needed emergency medial attention upon arrival in Charleston. Isabel drove the guest from the Hyatt Place Charleston Airport/Convention Center to the doctor and remained with the guest during the appointment. The doctor determined the flight attendant needed to be seen by a specialist. Isabel accompanied the guest to the second appointment and remained with the guest until she was well enough to return to the hotel.

Check back weekly to meet the newest Charlestonly Ambassadors!