Preferred Hotels & Resorts recently wrapped up its International Pineapple Week (June 20 to 27)—a time to focus on acts of service. Throughout the week, in the run-up to the official International Pineapple Day on June 27, more than 200 member hotels from around the world shared their most memorable “Acts of Service” from the last year using the hashtag #PreferredPineappleWeek.
“It has been an incredibly humbling time for our industry and, for many of us, this exciting period of recovery is inspiring a deeper appreciation for the talented people that create magical moments for loyal guests and I Prefer members globally,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotel Group, parent company of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “For this year’s International Pineapple Week, we wanted to express our heartfelt thanks to the individuals that contribute to our member hotels’ successes, working diligently to make every stay special—whether it’s the concierge, bellman, front desk operator, gardener, spa therapist or housekeeper.”
From Kenya and Indonesia to Peru and Singapore, hundreds of Acts of Service and proud moments from the past year came to life across social media, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and WeChat. Global highlights include:
Gondwana Game Reserve (Mossel Bay, South Africa): Reslin and Wayne, rangers with Gondwana’s dedicated anti-poaching unit, have each dedicated almost 10 years to the protection of the “Big Five” that live in the Western Cape’s only free-roaming game reserve. As animal lovers, they are passionate about preserving these endangered species for future generations and sharing their expertise with safari guests on a discovery of Mossel Bay and the Garden Route’s breathtaking nature. See their video here.
The Sanchaya (Bintan Island, Indonesia): Juni, a chauffeur at the luxury beachfront estate, has made lasting impressions since the property launched in 2014. Often the first and last person that guests will see, he is responsible for safely stewarding guests to and from the hotel, the airport and ferry terminal in his immaculately sanitized car. Throughout the pandemic, Juni has gone above and beyond to exemplify the property’s standards of excellence, reassuring guests by taking ownership of sanitizing luggage before it arrives in a guest’s suite or villa. See his video here.
Inn at Perry Cabin (St. Michaels, Md., United States): To celebrate the “hospitable hearts” at Inn at Perry Cabin, Managing Director Michael B. Hoffman posted about members of his hotel team, including his culinary, operations, and spa crews, each day of International Pineapple Week to say thank you for their hard work and unwavering commitment to guests, despite the challenges of the last year. See @InnAtPerryCabin for all the team member spotlights.
The pineapple has been the universal symbol of hospitality for more than 500 years, starting when sailors sought places in port towns to rest after months at sea. Hospitable locals would hang pineapples at their entrance, signaling that they would be welcomed as guests for a meal and place to sleep. Today, the pineapple continues to signify hospitality, and can be found engraved in doors, gates, and monuments across cities worldwide. As the Preferred Hotels & Resorts brand logo, the pineapple serves as a visual guide for travelers seeking personalized, service-driven hotel stays and is a source of pride for independent hoteliers and their teams globally as they continue to believe in travel and provide guests with best-in-class service.
More Acts of Service from International Pineapple Week 2021 can be found on this highlights reel @PreferredHotels.
