I've been writing mostly about places and sightseeing, but I had one of the nicest encounters with a hotel manager in all my worldly travels that I feel it warrants its own entry.
I found Tissa's Inn, where we stayed in Fort Kochi on tripadvisor and all the reviews were excellent and raved about how nice and helpful Francis, the hotel manager was. So, I called and booked our group 1 night, since we didn't know what we wanted to do and figured we could work out the details once we got there. Francis emailed me the quote arranged transportation from the airport for us and also asked if there was anything else we needed. So I asked about things to do, and arranging backwater tours, tea/spice visits, etc.
That was just the beginning. He put together a sample itinerary and got some price quotes on boat hires. He sent an email before we left and wished us safe travels. But once we got there and met him, we realized, he wasn't doing this to earn a tip, he was doing this because he truly loves his job and being good to people. We sat down with him after breakfast on Sunday after we got there and talked about options. We decided to go to Munnar on Monday, so he called and arranged a car, he called to several different inn/homestays. He sat with us for almost an hour, giving us ideas and just chatting. He sure does like to talk :-) The inn gave us water in our rooms, to take with us for the day and didn't charge, this was the first time in India we saw this happen. We went to check out before we headed to Munnar for the night, but since the hotel wasn't busy and we were coming back Tuesday night, Francis said to just pack our things but leave them in our rooms in case they needed to move them. And not to worry about the bill, we would settle when we left on Thursday/Friday. How nice! We didn't even have to pay for the room for the night, or worry about it being in hotel storage. He called the homestay in Munnar to make sure we arrived okay and checked in with me later in the day to make sure the driver was doing okay. I called him on the way back to have him arrange a boat tour for me on Wednesday (everyone else was going to beach, they leave Friday, I leave Thursday) and he took care of booking everything. I didn't have to worry about paying a thing, it was all added to my room charges. On the way back from Munnar he texted and asked what we wanted for dinner, he would have it waiting when we got there. And finally on Wednesday morning, he called while I was getting dressed and asked what I wanted for breakfast, so he could have it ready so I wouldn't miss my ride.
These may all seem like normal things, but it was the way he did them that just blew us away. He was very soft spoken, always smiling, shaking your hands, patting you on the shoulder and saying that he just wanted you to relax and have the best experience ever. Francis is probably in his late 50's, worked for the Taj hotel group for 15+ years, which is probably where he learned all of this. He is a devout Catholic and had to leave Wednesday to meet with his family to work out the details for the mass for his mother, she just passed away about a month ago and they will have a 41st day celebration next week. (to all my Catholic friends, what is the significance?). He was apologetic for having to be away, and we reassured him it was fine, that family comes first. On my way out yesterday morning, he sat down and ate breakfast with me and since he knew I was traveling, had the kitchen make me a lunch to take with me (no charge). I asked how his day was Wed and he said all the arrangements were set, they were going to have 600 guests and also would serve a few orphanages (about 150 kids). His mom (she was 93) must have been super special too, and she taught her son well! He grabbed my shoulders and gave me a kiss on each cheek and wished me safe travels. I actually had a tear in my eye thinking about how special he made this trip. And finally, on my way to the airport, he texted and said he was praying for safe travels. :-) (oh, forgot to mention the hotel gave me an early birthday card, guess they read the passports)
It just makes you realize that it doesn't take much to be good to people. He knows that we are coming to a place where we don't know the language, the culture, how to get around, typical prices, etc, etc. He just wants you to have the best time you can and to enjoy his world. He succeeded in making this one of the most memorable vacations ever. If you ever are in India, you have to go to Fort Kochi to experience Francis hospitality, southern India style! (and to pick up my bathing suit which I left hanging on the back of the bathroom door, darn! haha, I'm sure Francis will take care of it)
I found Tissa's Inn, where we stayed in Fort Kochi on tripadvisor and all the reviews were excellent and raved about how nice and helpful Francis, the hotel manager was. So, I called and booked our group 1 night, since we didn't know what we wanted to do and figured we could work out the details once we got there. Francis emailed me the quote arranged transportation from the airport for us and also asked if there was anything else we needed. So I asked about things to do, and arranging backwater tours, tea/spice visits, etc.
That was just the beginning. He put together a sample itinerary and got some price quotes on boat hires. He sent an email before we left and wished us safe travels. But once we got there and met him, we realized, he wasn't doing this to earn a tip, he was doing this because he truly loves his job and being good to people. We sat down with him after breakfast on Sunday after we got there and talked about options. We decided to go to Munnar on Monday, so he called and arranged a car, he called to several different inn/homestays. He sat with us for almost an hour, giving us ideas and just chatting. He sure does like to talk :-) The inn gave us water in our rooms, to take with us for the day and didn't charge, this was the first time in India we saw this happen. We went to check out before we headed to Munnar for the night, but since the hotel wasn't busy and we were coming back Tuesday night, Francis said to just pack our things but leave them in our rooms in case they needed to move them. And not to worry about the bill, we would settle when we left on Thursday/Friday. How nice! We didn't even have to pay for the room for the night, or worry about it being in hotel storage. He called the homestay in Munnar to make sure we arrived okay and checked in with me later in the day to make sure the driver was doing okay. I called him on the way back to have him arrange a boat tour for me on Wednesday (everyone else was going to beach, they leave Friday, I leave Thursday) and he took care of booking everything. I didn't have to worry about paying a thing, it was all added to my room charges. On the way back from Munnar he texted and asked what we wanted for dinner, he would have it waiting when we got there. And finally on Wednesday morning, he called while I was getting dressed and asked what I wanted for breakfast, so he could have it ready so I wouldn't miss my ride.
These may all seem like normal things, but it was the way he did them that just blew us away. He was very soft spoken, always smiling, shaking your hands, patting you on the shoulder and saying that he just wanted you to relax and have the best experience ever. Francis is probably in his late 50's, worked for the Taj hotel group for 15+ years, which is probably where he learned all of this. He is a devout Catholic and had to leave Wednesday to meet with his family to work out the details for the mass for his mother, she just passed away about a month ago and they will have a 41st day celebration next week. (to all my Catholic friends, what is the significance?). He was apologetic for having to be away, and we reassured him it was fine, that family comes first. On my way out yesterday morning, he sat down and ate breakfast with me and since he knew I was traveling, had the kitchen make me a lunch to take with me (no charge). I asked how his day was Wed and he said all the arrangements were set, they were going to have 600 guests and also would serve a few orphanages (about 150 kids). His mom (she was 93) must have been super special too, and she taught her son well! He grabbed my shoulders and gave me a kiss on each cheek and wished me safe travels. I actually had a tear in my eye thinking about how special he made this trip. And finally, on my way to the airport, he texted and said he was praying for safe travels. :-) (oh, forgot to mention the hotel gave me an early birthday card, guess they read the passports)
It just makes you realize that it doesn't take much to be good to people. He knows that we are coming to a place where we don't know the language, the culture, how to get around, typical prices, etc, etc. He just wants you to have the best time you can and to enjoy his world. He succeeded in making this one of the most memorable vacations ever. If you ever are in India, you have to go to Fort Kochi to experience Francis hospitality, southern India style! (and to pick up my bathing suit which I left hanging on the back of the bathroom door, darn! haha, I'm sure Francis will take care of it)
Sacha
ReplyDeleteI had to dig way back on the 40 day thing...it is when you are judged if your soul is going to heaven , purgatory or hell