Wednesday, July 20, 2011

“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You…”

A big thank you to our intern who finished up with us last week, for all her hard work (an example of which is our great new video shown here) and enthusiasm - read her last blog post below!



“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You…”

These past couple months working at Sandymount Hotel have gone by faster than the Dublin buses if you don’t put your arm out to hail them.

Words can not even begin to describe what this experience has meant to me. Truth be told when I found out back in April that I would be working at a hotel, I had no idea what to expect. Sure I’ve stayed in hotels before and have enjoyed jumping on the beds, but work in one? It had never come across the “this-is-what-I-want-to-do-with-my-life” radar. But oh boy, how glad I am it did! I could have not gotten any luckier with my job placement and the people I was privileged enough to work alongside. I truly have been welcomed into the Sandymount Hotel family since the first day I arrived, and I only hope I have returned some of the compassion and care they have shown me.

Quickly and directly I would like to address my lovely colleagues & bosses that have enriched my time here in Dublin in more ways than they’ll ever realize:
Firstly, thanks for this opportunity. Seriously. Trusting your company’s livelihood with a fourth year college student can be daunting, especially one who does not have much formal internship experience. You have given me the room to spread my wings and grow as a marketer and as a person. You listened to all my crazy ideas and even let me go through with some of them! From somewhat “cheeky” sidewalk ads all over Sandymount, to Grafton Street hand-outs, and from the face-in-the-hole statue that hopefully one day will happen, to my first ever YouTube upload. You have shown me in the most humble way, how to be good at business, all while staying true to yourself, your product, and to each other. I was able to witness such exquisite minds and personalities through you all! Too many times American businesses can concentrate on just making money, and here at Sandymount Hotel I have been able to observe the art of a sincere business.

To you, most highly regarded guest/blog reader - It’s been a pleasure sharing just a few of my experiences with you. I appreciate your patronage and support. If you ever come to the U.S. and need a tour guide, don’t be hesitant to ask! Also, for the guests I have been lucky enough to come in contact with, whether it be calling to remind you of one of our pre-concert BBQs or speaking to you in our lobby, it has been beyond doubt so enjoyable to get to know you, even in the smallest of ways. I wish you all the best of luck and hope you come back to stay at the hotel one day!

To the future guests and Ireland travellers!
When I say that Sandymount Hotel is the best possible place to stay in Dublin, you should trust me…because I’ve been on the inside of this whole operation. Everyone here truly cares about pleasing our guests; even if it can only be for the quick blip in time that we are lucky enough to have you at the hotel.

So I could sit here and give you pages upon pages of recommendations of things to see and tours to go on, but it’s really much more fun to make your trip your own unique creation.

But I will share with you some of my only suggestions:
-Don’t worry about getting lost, sometimes that can be the most fun.
-Take loads of pictures, but also don’t be afraid to enjoy the view without looking through a lens.
-Talk to the locals, trust me, they want you to.
-Try not to compare everything to the place where you are from.
-Just follow your feet because they’ll help you stumble upon things you might have never seen.
-If you’re a female, say yes to any man over the age of 85 that asks you to dance, it will probably be the best one you’ve ever had.
-Take time and stop on Grafton or O’Connell and listen to local artists, you don’t have to pay them if you don’t want to, just enjoy it!
-Always, always carry some sort of rain gear, and don’t worry the sun will come back out.
-See the sights, stay at Sandymount Hotel, and HAVE A BLAST!

John Loughran, the truly wonderful owner, once gave me an Irish blessing and I shall pass it on:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

All my love, craic, and appreciation!

Yours Truly,
Sylvia
Forever and Always Sandymount Hotel Marketing Intern 2011