I was there for a luncheon, and I could sense already what kind of review I'll be giving them, the…read moreMINUTE I entered the door. A good customer service greets you with a smile, doesn't it? This lady was grumpy and it looked like she already put on her overtime. Maybe she did! But that was strike 1.
The ladies in my team (1st meeting with them all) were cordial and polite, so nothing much to write about them, but I did met a new friend, or should I say an old friend . . . . so I have someone to sit & converse with.
Here comes the manager of the food & beverage department, serving us. She smiled, when talking with us, but she wasn't smiling when she walked away. I don't expect someone to smile all day, like 100%, I don't. . . but the kind of reaction I was reading was . . . . her staff aren't there because of cut-backs. That kind of smile, so she's putting more hours. Probably another reason why the reception was 'grumpy? The manager, did gave me the drink I asked for, so that's a bonus.
Now comes the food. There are many selections there to choose from. The oil & vinegar dressing was very, very thick. What makes oil & vinegar thick? Beats me! Cornstarch? Flour? Glue? LOL If I wanted thick dressing on my salad, I would have chosen Ranch or Thousand Island, maybe Blue Cheese? I was hungry, so I have no choice but eat all that I picked, plus a small slice of chocolate cake. Yum! One lady had very little on her plate, my rooster could eat that, and she's got good control if she was trying to lose weight. Or it was just not appealing to her. But why would anyone pay $9 for a buffet, if you're gonna eat like a rooster. My new friend tried their soup, she said it was VERY hot, but good.
OK, now it's raining so hard. So I stayed a bit longer, but eventually I have to walk out back where I parked my car, but I don't like getting wet, not even for a spit. I asked the lady @ the front desk, if there was a back exit, and again, she was grumpy @ me, no smile, and the tone of her voice just shows she's now getting mad @ me. I also met up with the food & beverage manager, again . . . . and she pointed me where the bathroom was, but still no smile, like she had a lot in her mind. Was her job hanging by a thread, and overworked like all the rest of us? What ever the reasons, THEIR EMPLOYEES just doesn't have the hospitality one gets when they walk inside a room.
UPDATE: I did an event here, and I can tell you how the people who lives here behaved, including their employees. SOMEONE must have read my 1st paragraph, because they now have a very friendly GREETER working behind the reception desk! Thanks for that!
They are like a large family, they are helpful, friendly, and they have many people who are residents volunteer - getting more involved than other retirement facilities I've visited. They have activities to get them more involved, and as volunteers, you are part the 'community'. It's not like, you go out to have a meal, then go back to your room. Their gift shop are run by volunteers. Because of my observations, I will add another star!