Garraway Hotel impresses travelers

The Garraway Hotel in Roseau

Hotelier Judith Pestaina is expressing satisfaction that her establishment, Garraway Hotel, is receiving accolades from reviewers on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site.

“Travelers are impressed by your business and service standards – and it shows in their reviews,” TripAdvisor wrote to the hotel, saying it was rated as a 3+ property.

Based on the reviews, Garraway shows that it welcomes customers’ business, the establishment and its services are highly regarded and it is being associated with a top name in travel and restaurant reviews.

“We are happy, very happy to have received such satisfactory reviews,” Pestaina told Dominica News Online.

The hotelier credits her staff and the hotel’s customer service for the high ranking. “Customer service is the kingpin of the industry and staff is the backbone of any establishment,” she noted. “You could have the best prices, the best hotels, the best restaurant but if you don’t have the staff to make people feel welcome or happy, it is not worth it.”

Pestaina is also calling for an ongoing awareness campaign on customer service since, according to her, it is very important in the service industry.

TripAdvisor enjoys more than 50-million visitors every month who give advice on hotel, restaurants, attractions and more from across the globe.

 

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27 Comments

  1. lee
    October 3, 2012

    I was on vacation last and i went to the hotel
    the service was great, Congratulation and good
    luck.

  2. October 2, 2012

    The bedding is one of the first things i look at when i go into a hotel… if it is not clean or comfortable then i usually walk right out!

  3. love
    September 30, 2012

    oh bo ho ho

  4. dissident
    September 30, 2012

    Congratulations to The Garaway Hotel and its staff especially. U are getting great reviews in a troubling industry at a very crucial time.

    Don’t mind the haters. At least our PM can’t say that it was his government superb foreign policy that pushed for u to receive this honorable mention. Remember the PM ridiculed the owner of this hotel saying she could not afford a coat of paint for the building. Those were not encouraging or necessarily proud words.

    Who laughs last laughs the best. I can see ur smile Judith. U may not want to laugh because of courtesy and mere politeness but keep smiling. All staff members keep ur head up proud. U all deserve a hand up not ridicule.

    Congratulations again to all those involved

  5. CHARMER
    September 29, 2012

    The menu is great too

  6. Anonymous
    September 29, 2012

    As a world traveler and a long term visitor to Dominica, I think it is a poor reflection of what is being offered in Dominica that this hotel can get an article like this. I have stayed a hostels in Singapore where I was put on the roof to five star hotels in the US, Australia, and Europe. While Garraway has its good points, it is not something to boost about. I am not saying that the Garraway is a bad place to say or visit for a meal, but please Dominica reach the potential you can have and step up your game all around. You are the Nature Isle, but there is so much garbage around it is sad. I have had visitor come to state and they are shocked by Dominica’s standards. Please, you have an amazing island with equally amazing people. Strive to be what you can be. Because you and any visitor deserve it.

    • Anonymous
      September 30, 2012

      I agree. I stayed at Garry last december. The beds are nor confortable. Please upgrade those cheap mattresses. U know many may say i am keeping negative, but to you i say spend one night at that hotel and then describe your experience on those beds. Shame.

    • Anonymous
      October 1, 2012

      Are you really comparing our standards to the U.S., Europe and Australia?? Let’s get real. While I am for development and betterment for our country and certainly agree that we shouldn’t settle for less I believe it is certainly unfair to compare us with these mega countries. We are a tiny island which caters to tourism on a tiny scale as compared to these mammoth countries. Australia, the smallest of these countries has a population of 22 million people. Come on, where is the comparison to our economy and island of 50 thousand?

    • Ifone and Androids
      October 1, 2012

      AND THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR STAFF!!

  7. Donna Divas spa
    September 29, 2012

    I am so happy for the Garraway, everyone was so lovely when i was there, i was sad i had to leave, but i will always be proud to have been part of such a lovely family run business,with such fabulous people for staff.
    Massive Congrates love to you all xxxxxxxxx

  8. Agave
    September 29, 2012

    I habe been going to Dominica for years & one of the things that has impressed me about the garraway Hotel is the longevity of the employees, some who have been there from inception & remain happy to be working :) there. That speaks volumes for the management team to continue to offer meaningful employment & giving back to Dominica. The staff is always pleasant,polite & helpful. This is my hotel of CHOICE a place away from home.

  9. September 29, 2012

    Our good Book says do not judge from the outside but look into the inside.

    For some reasons this advice did not fit too well with Garraway Hotel at all–when I first saw its structure in 2008; in that its outlook revealed a great impression about its in-look.

    Well travellers has confirmed this great impression–both outside and inside–which I had perceived.

    I will always be a local when I am in Dominica, meaning that I will have no need to stay at a Hotel, being at home with my huge family, relatives and close friends.

    Nonetheless, I am glad to know that travellers are please with the Hotel service there–at least one of them for sure!

    May all those in that kind of business and service–not just those at Garraway Hotel–continue to thrive in the ability to make visitors to our Dominica feel impressed and satisfied; so that they will return, and return again, as they invite others to try the visit.

    • shakespere
      September 29, 2012

      i know compliments dont help pay the bills but i can talk from experience you and your sister and the rest are good decent people and this shows in your product,thanks for realizing how important staff are i wish the guy across the road knew that,God bless all of you and i pray at least one good,decent and honest person in this world succeeds

  10. Watching
    September 28, 2012

    Judith, your honesty, your management style your respect for people and your team spirit you demonstrate with you staff and customers WILL always cause you and your business to shine. We are proud of you. Gongratulation. Keep on working hard, don’t give up inspite of the odds

  11. Reporter..
    September 28, 2012

    Well Congrats to The Garraway Hotel. In 2007 I took my American Girlfrien home for the first time, and she was inpressed with the staff which was so polite, the lobby was very welcoming with the Domincan National colors arrangement.
    They should do a chain of those over the Island, like how the major hotels do it around the world.

  12. Orchid
    September 28, 2012

    All good comments, and then someone has to spoil it. Can we ever one be happy complimenting people rather than always pulling each other down?

    • September 30, 2012

      @Orchid

      I too, lament against that bad attitude of some people, but we do not have to accept them. As you said the majority of the comments are good, that is what we should accept.

      Do not forget that “one bad apple do not spoil the whole bunch”. Also, they say that there will always be a “black sheep” in the family; and most certainly there will be a “scapegoat” among the fold.

      Let us cheer with the group and forget about the bad apple, the black sheep, or the scapegoat.

  13. Jayson
    September 28, 2012

    I brought a friend there once on very short notice.
    I was very surprised at the proffesional and corteous service received with a genuine (not fake) smile. Very quick check-in and very informed staff.

    First impressions are lasting impressions so i will always recommend garraway to any of my local or regional friends.

  14. Not a herd follower
    September 28, 2012

    Congrats, Mrs. Pestaina and Garraway Hotel. Still able to get good reviews.

  15. no name
    September 28, 2012

    Congrats! I stayed there in December. Had a blast

  16. T mama
    September 28, 2012

    that is very nice for the Hotel..u all need that now, especialy with the situation in DA..

  17. Michelle
    September 28, 2012

    Congrats!! Despite the circumstances, you continue to shine

  18. Caribbean Queen
    September 28, 2012

    I must agree that Garraway is one of the best places to stay in Dominica…I stayed there once, and the service/accomodation was fantastic….which reminds me Im due a visit to Dominica..

    • Anonymous
      September 28, 2012

      u lie

      • Anonymous
        September 28, 2012

        I agree with you. Lie that!

      • Belle bef
        September 29, 2012

        Me too. Lol

    • Anonymous
      September 30, 2012

      Are you kidding me? Those beds are uncomfortable. I dont believe you stayed there because i did. N no way i will say this is a 3 star hotel. I’ve stayed in many hotels internationally but i wobt compare those.

      I stayed a few times in calibishie lodges and redrick haven yrs back. Their beds are way more comfortable.
      Garraway upgrade the beds please. Then your 3 stars will come because the service is on point.

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