The subsequent episode within the Suite Spot: Highway Journey collection takes vacationers to the newly renovated Marriott Pompano Seashore Resort in Sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida! The resort’s Normal Supervisor, Leslie Weil, sits down on the podcast to share with audiences the transformative renovation, distinctive eating choices, and enhanced visitor expertise. Tune in now.
Ryan Embree:Welcome to Suite Spot, the place hoteliers verify in and we try what’s trending in resort advertising and marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Howdy everybody. Welcome to a different episode of The Suite Spot. That is your host, Ryan Embree as you may inform, we’re not in our Suite Spot podcast studio. As a substitute, we’re on web site on the stunning Pompano Seashore Marriott Resort. I’m right here with GM, Leslie Weil. Leslie, thanks a lot for internet hosting us right here at your stunning reimagined property. We’re gonna get to it immediately.
Leslie Weil:Thanks for having me. Excited to have you ever.
Ryan Embree:And that is type of a mix, of a pair totally different collection and we’re gonna share why that’s particular. Your alma mater, which we’re gonna discuss in a second. However we’ve obtained a lot thrilling stuff occurring proper right here on property. However earlier than we get into that, we all the time love to listen to type of the background of hospitality professionals. Generally you’re leaping from place to position, generally you’re native, born into the trade. Inform us a bit bit about your story.
Leslie Weil:So, I used to be not born into the trade, however I knew very younger that that is what I wished to do. At 15 years previous I mentioned I wanna examine hospitality and I’ve caught to it for over 30 years now. I completely love what I do and I’m from Peru. I used to be born and raised there. After which after highschool, I studied for one 12 months in Peru and I moved to Miami to check hospitality in FIU. FIU is a marvel for a college. It gave me a extremely nice starting within the trade and I’ve not appeared again ever since. I’ve labored in all places from hostels to luxurious resorts at throughout Latin America and america. So actually I used to be fortunate sufficient to begin in housekeeping and within the kitchen after which I simply obtained to develop to be in a GM and I like it.
Ryan Embree:I really like listening to that story. It’s one thing that we’re truly listening to extra of now. Are folks going to high school for hospitality? Earlier than it was, I fell into the trade, fell in love with it, and now we’re seeing that intentionality into hospitality. I feel it’s due to tales that you simply hear generally from mentors about seeing and clearly simply the love of journey. Proper? I feel that that’s, that’s comes with it.
Leslie Weil:I actually suppose the love of journey and the love of assembly folks. All the time merging into what can I do with these traits? After which impulsively it’s like, oh, hospitality. And I feel as a profession, hospitality is a profession that provides a bit bit of each profession into one. Sure. And hospitality is a world of sub worlds. So actually it’s true that also, I really feel like there’s lots of people that fall into it. Like, you want a summer season job and sometimes sudden you like it and resolve that that’s what you’re gonna do along with your life. Yeah. However I feel with the ability to examine it and understanding all of the elements from a hospitality standpoint actually offers you a bonus as you begin your profession.
Ryan Embree:And lots of transferable abilities as nicely. The place you recognize, you may be at a property within the Midwest after which transfer to an exquisite property right here proper on the seashore proper behind us. And that’s what we’re gonna discuss subsequent. Leslie, is this entire, we’ve visited on the excellent time, proper? You’ll say the entire reimagining of your rooms, your suites, facilities, your pool restaurant. Discuss to us a bit bit about this venture and type of the journey that obtained you right here.
Leslie Weil:So I’ve not been right here for so long as the renovation has been however my group has. And it was undoubtedly, a really lengthy however very nicely considered venture. It was totally reimagined. Generally you go into renovations and I’ve carried out 20 openings and plenty of renovations, however this one felt like a gap as a result of we actually closed out the tower, the pool, the restaurant, whereas working from one of many towers, which isn’t all the time straightforward on the group. And it’s additionally not straightforward on the visitor in fact, nevertheless it’s actually wonderful to stroll in and really feel such a contemporary outlook in what this property was imagined to be. It doesn’t really feel prefer it’s the identical constructing. All the things was redone. Each single room. The foyer is totally new. We have now the brand new pool, which is unbelievable. And that was made from two totally different swimming pools. So legitimately, I really feel like we exploded the pool deck. After which simply made one thing new and actually attempt to keep true to our roots. That means we’re from Pompano Seashore, we’ve been right here for a very long time and we wanna large homage to that. So actually all the pieces was rigorously considered to the right way to be a visitor hub and a neighborhood hub and honor the town we’re in with the names of our assembly area, the restaurant and all the pieces else. And we unveiled it final week. So it’s been unbelievable to see.
Ryan Embree:Effectively, congratulations to you and your group. They’ve carried out a improbable job. I had breakfast out on my balcony overlooking that lovely pool. It was an excellent place to work for, for the morning for certain. Leslie, you talked about, you recognize that not lots of people, I’ve household right here, so I, I visited Pompano, however not lots of people learn about Pompano Seashore. That downtown fully revamped, fully redone, stunning. Paint an image for those who have thought-about visiting Pompano Seashore. What you get out of this, this location.
Leslie Weil:I feel Pompano is booming. It was like Dan identified Jame in Broward County. All the things has grown a lot after which it type of moved north. Pompano is quiet, it’s stunning, it has pristine seashores. You have got a pier, you might have the lighthouse. So we’re in a privileged location as a result of from some rooms you see the lighthouse and from the others you see the pier. There’s a lot to do. Nice eating places, not simply ours, however there, there’s lots of issues which might be coming. We have now a model new residence, constructing proper subsequent to us, however there’s so many arising. So in case you are searching for a bit bit extra of quiet and actual restored expertise, it’s nearly such as you actually really feel such as you’re on trip with out the hustle and buzzle of different seashores in Florida.
Ryan Embree:Positive. And that’s the very best place to be, proper? Is the place you’re feeling like you may get away from it, however you’re not too far faraway from it the place you truly really feel like it’s a must to get in your automobile and and drive. So, let’s discuss these friends that possibly do wanna keep a bit bit extra tranquil. Like I mentioned, get pleasure from possibly their breakfast or their dinner proper right here on the seashore. A number of the facilities in that reimagination there.
Leslie Weil:So, in fact I feel the pool deck is the most important portion of the renovation. I feel the very best a part of the final week has been seeing the faces of the friends saying like, whoa, this actually got here out. Okay. That’s enjoyable. However actually we wish the friends to have an incredible expertise from the second they stroll in. So on the resort, clearly you might have the pool along with your resort price, you’ll get chairs and umbrellas on the seashore, which the umbrella just isn’t one thing you usually get, nevertheless it does get extremely popular right here. So we wanna be sure the friends are capable of get pleasure from. It’s an excellent profit. Better of each worlds. And we do have, we name our seashore and pool the citrus membership, proper. Citrus as a result of clearly Florida is large on Cirus, like I mentioned, we need to pay homage to the place we’re. So our citrus membership pool and seashore have a unique menu than the restaurant and you may have bites there all day. And wonderful drinks and frozen drinks. ’trigger clearly we wish you to remain hydrated, refreshed and joyful. And you may go to the pool, then return to the seashore. There’ll all the time be at attendants and servers taking good care of you. We even have a tiki bar on the seashore, which could be very distinctive to this property. Most instances you gained’t discover that. So you actually don’t must go far. And if you happen to simply wanna have a drink when you wait to go on a enterprise dinner, you may all the time go to the seashore, which is gorgeous. We wish all people to begin their day amazingly. And we’re beginning placing a pot of espresso at 6:00 AM So if you happen to wanna go see the dawn outdoors, you’ll have a cup of espresso and you may simply watch it come up as a result of it’s actually stunning. I’m an early riser and I’ve loved a lot of them. So I would like the visitor to get pleasure from that. Love that. After which for breakfast, lunch and dinner we have now the Caster. The Caster is our model new restaurant. Mr. Keer was, nicely a businessman that got here in 1923 to Pompano for fishing and he stayed for enterprise. So we are saying it’s one of many founders of the town and we wished to select homage to his identify. Our restaurant is American/New American Delicacies. And we’ve type of gone across the menu so many instances to ensure one thing folks love and revel in being very totally different out of your breakfast expertise to your dinner expertise and being fully totally different than what you may get on the pool. But it surely’s all interchangeable. And we additionally do in room eating from the restaurant.
Ryan Embree:That’s unbelievable. I imply from dawn to sundown, you actually have actually have one thing for each single visitor. I really like that. Some actually distinctive experiences. I’m certain that’s gonna repay on issues that we’re gonna discuss later with like social media and folks taking these images and sharing. These are the kind of expertise that if you happen to can curate these and create them for friends, it pays off in dividends as a result of they’re sharing that sort of content material.
Leslie Weil:100%. We’re now finalizing our wellness program. We’re presently doing day by day yoga, however we’re gonna improve it with another health choices or wellness. , it could be sound therapeutic. It doesn’t essentially must be like a tough exercise. And we’ll have the water sports activities. So if you happen to’re on a little bit of a thrill, it’s also possible to go in your jet skis or kayaking and whatnot when the climate just isn’t tough, in fact.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. That South Florida hospitality. Programming such a giant a part of resorts now and I feel that’s one thing that the friends actually have come to anticipate over these final couple years. Once they verify in, they are saying, okay the place’s the programming? The place’s the schedule for my keep? So having the chance to supply that may be a large aggressive benefit over your typical resort which may not supply that to friends. I need to return to what you have been speaking about. FIU, Chaplain College of Hospitality. Very obsessed with it. Final 12 months we had the chance in our campus crawl collection to go to with Dr. Chang, the dean there. Fantastic campus. I’m a UCF Rosen grad. So we love in hospitality, there’s no rivalries. All people loves everybody. However discuss to us a bit bit about that have of going to a hospitality faculty and the way that ready you in your profession immediately.
Leslie Weil:So FIU was unbelievable and it’s much more unbelievable now. I used to be very decided and when deciding on the place to go in america, I had some convincing to do with my mother and father. And Miami was simpler ’trigger it’s near house. So I don’t suppose I noticed how a lot FIU was giving me till I graduated. And that’s why I give again a lot. And that’s why I attempt to keep near the varsity. I’m a part of the alumni board as a volunteer. Each time they name me, I’m going and communicate to the scholars as a result of the one factor that FIU has immediately is that it has an excellent alumni community. And whenever you’re within the chaplain faculty, you’re perpetually within the chaplain faculty. So I feel the very best that I obtained was firsthand that individuals speaking to me in regards to the trade. And that’s not one thing that was as widespread method again when. I feel the curriculum at FIU was very hands-on. And it actually permits you to be taught another way. So as a result of additionally they anticipate you to work, to graduate, it’s a must to work many, many hours to have the ability to get that diploma to be sure you know what you’re doing proper. I actually really feel prefer it developed a ardour and it allowed me to begin, not essentially, oh I graduated and now I’ve to be the supervisor actually allowed me to work my method up and perceive each division. However with that stage of data that having a profession in hospitality and actually studying within the faculty allowed me to develop quicker as a result of I obtained it. And I may relate to different departments. So I spent most of my profession on the entrance workplace, however my accounting courses on the chaplain faculty actually made a giant distinction to them shifting me to accounting afterwards for a few years as a result of I obtained it another way. And since then, FIU has grown tremendously, retains escalating by way of the charts and I’m very, very proud to be an alumni there. And I see how they’re involving us, the alumni, into the day after day of the scholars to allow them to actually see what a profession means. ’trigger there’s this complete factor about, oh, you’re employed in hospitality, you haven’t any lives and in actuality that’s not true. It is a life we select and sure, it’s a enterprise that’s open 24/7, three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months. However there may be a lot you are able to do there that it’s not all the time these loopy hours, however undoubtedly it’s probably the most enjoyable you’ll ever have.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. it’s a really rewarding profession. And I feel, you recognize, extra tales such as you, Leslie, of hospitality professionals coming again and talking to college students and setting these expectations since you don’t need these false narratives on the market in regards to the hospitality trade and saying that this is usually a profession. In the event you love journey, which most of this youthful era likes to do, that is the place to do it. Superb perks generally that the very best that include your job.
Leslie Weil:Proper. 100%.
Ryan Embree:That you simply take full benefit of. Yeah, I imply all the pieces that we noticed at FIU and the Chaplain College of Hospitality, so many labs, hands-on, so many internships that they have been sending college students to, we simply must encourage that on this trade as a lot as we will. And so cool to see you in nice reference to that. I used to be speaking off digicam about recommendation that you’d give proper now. , it may be a bit scary proper now for faculty graduates. They’re coming in, you hear about AI, you hear about expertise possibly taking jobs. I imply, what recommendation would you give to a younger hospitality skilled proper now, Leslie?
Leslie Weil:Suppose the most important factor for me is staying curious. Don’t suppose you might have all of the solutions, however by no means be scared to talk up both. I discover that I used to be profitable in my profession as a result of I all the time wished to be taught extra. And regardless of the place you begin, simply ask what the opposite particular person is doing. Simply reap the benefits of all the pieces as a result of you might have behind your head, you already studied it so you recognize it. And regardless of which function you might have, the place you’re entrance desk, cage and also you’re in housekeeping, you’re within the restaurant, you’re gonna see many issues as a result of in a resort, all the pieces blurs with all the pieces in a extremely great way. So keep curious, ask, ask how one can assist, ask how one can be taught. And that may put together the profession ahead since you already know lots of the knowledge. And I discover that those who succeed probably the most are those that maintain the very best of various jobs, which is nice. ’trigger resort, you might have lots of facet work, upward diagonal mobility. And if you happen to keep curious and ask all these questions and likewise communicate up whenever you see issues that may be carried out higher, you’ll all the time develop and succeed.
Ryan Embree:Be a hospitality sponge on the market. And I feel it’s nice recommendation as a result of I feel you suppose again on the, we hate to do it, however again on 2020 and the teachings discovered, there have been lots of GMs, entrance workplace managers doing activity and jobs that they’d hadn’t carried out both ever or in years. And I feel there was lots of studying that got here out of that. And that’s simply the right instance and type of parallel of simply exposing your self to each single division. ’trigger you, as you talked about on the high of the episode, so many facets to this. You put on so many hats as a GM, the extra publicity and the extra abilities and traits you are able to do are simply gonna sharpen, sharpen your professionalism, shifting ahead, put you in an excellent place.
Leslie Weil:And likewise earns the belief of the group, as a result of they know you’ve carried out it and you’re prepared to do it. And sure, I opened the resort in 2021 and we have been cleansing rooms each supervisor from income accounting to myself. We have been cleansing rooms each day. A few of them had by no means carried out it. A few of them have been nice at it with out by no means carried out it. After which it additionally makes you consider the exhausting work that the housekeepers goes by way of each day as a result of I can definitely clear 10 rooms in eight hours, however they’re cleansing 17.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. I imply empathy is large in our trade. Leslie, I for one would like to host whether or not I’d, I’d like to attend a marriage right here. I’d like to attend a gathering right here. Discuss us by way of, I noticed some new courtyard area that you’ve for occasions. Discuss us by way of what it’s like that course of, to have group journey right here.
Leslie Weil:So we have now an incredible gross sales group and I really like them. Not the job I might do, however when I’ve, do I do it? Yeah. And the beauty of this resort is that we host lots of enterprise conferences, however we additionally host lots of weddings. Candy 16, quinceaneras. And so they did up to now, it’s simply the areas at the moment are enhanced and reimagined. So we have now indoor out of doors areas ’trigger in fact South Florida. However the great thing about it’s that we do have a courtyard that it’s proper subsequent to the pool the place you may have a small cocktail at a small occasion, but in addition you may have company video games. We’ve carried out all the pieces you may get married within the seashore and are available into the ballroom for the get together and we have now an excellent terrace in the midst of the 2 towers that we have now that’s area for no matter you need it to be. Whether or not it’s a wellness occasion. We’ve had a meals and wine competition within the terrace earlier than as nicely. After which the gross sales group will stroll you thru all the pieces. We have now a gross sales group that helps with the group. We have now a director of occasions that assist with all of the occasion planning and a catering supervisor as nicely. So actually all people comes collectively to make sure that they occasion goes excellent from the second the friends stroll in till they stroll out with so many alternative areas. Really, the place we’re sitting proper now could be a gathering room that overlooks the water. Which is my favourite spot.
Ryan Embree:One other place for a possible alumni mixer, proper?
Leslie Weil:Sure.
Ryan Embree:Superior. Effectively, let’s discuss the place we’re proper now within the season, wrapping up the summer season that we’d love these snowbirds coming down, having fun with our sunny Florida climate. What do you might have ready for these within the fall and winter time?
Leslie Weil:Excited to get into that. Summer time is all the time, it’s gradual season. I say it’s gradual as a result of it’s not ever actually gradual. However we’re getting excited to actually our first season as our reimagined property. Numerous programming. We’re working to have music collection DJs within the espresso store. We’re actually attempting to do all the pieces to be a hub, not only for our friends but in addition the neighborhood. And what I discovered over the previous couple of years that I’ve started working in all places is that for the visitor expertise, the very best you are able to do is mingle them with locals. As a result of that’s how you actually know what’s occurring. We wish them to remain on the resort, however they wanna know the place the very best, you recognize, play to go snorkel is or if there’s a surf lesson after which the locals will provide you with the very best concepts. So actually as we transfer alongside finish of summer season and starting of fall, it’s simpler to do lots of issues outdoors too. , the rain is all the time supplying you with, oh my God, what do I do to vary it? So we’re engaged on lots of actions for households as nicely the place at the least an hour a day the children could possibly be outdoors portray whereas the mother and father are having a cocktail by the pool bar or the seashore. And actually curating programming at the least month-to-month the place we could have a DJ, liquor sponsor partnerships the place when you may have and take a look at totally different cocktails whereas, you recognize, refreshing your self outdoors by the pool and likewise inside.
Ryan Embree:And that’s what you have been saying, Leslie, is you have been like, I wanna get the local people concerned as a result of this does have lots of historical past with possibly some locals and staying on this space, nevertheless it is also a very reimagined place. And likewise paying homage to these, that local people. So incorporating that such a sensible thought, social media clearly an excellent place to place that programming out, encourage all of our candy spot listeners to clearly comply with the property onsite. How does that play into social media and on-line status? How does that play into like when, whenever you do a re-imagining like this?
Leslie Weil:It’s large and truthfully, particularly whenever you’re a model and there’s lots of pictures tips. We rely loads on social media for what’s occurring now, proper? Prefer it’s very rapid. So social media to me proper now could be actually how we present the world what we’re doing actual time, proper? There’s an individual having a drink on the pool already ’trigger we simply opened, proper? And it’s there. So the pace and actually aesthetic, proper? What message are you attempting to painting? For us, it was actually essential to begin from scratch as a result of the property doesn’t take a look at all just like the prior property, although it’s the identical. So I feel social media is large these days as all people is aware of and with the ability to reply and present friends, we do care. That is what we’re doing. You’re not all the time gonna get nice suggestions. So I all the time say it’s the way you react to it. However actually proper now, if you happen to go to social media, you’ll be capable of see actual time what’s occurring on property and what’s capable of occur in on property, proper? You may look again for a marriage and then you definately’ll discover the images. In order we construct up, we have now new social media for the resort, but in addition for the restaurant. So we wanna be sure we showcase each. And such as you mentioned, we wanna be part of the local people and that’s the best solution to get to all people round as a result of they’re not all the time gonna be friends.
Ryan Embree:It’s so disappointing when, you go to a social media profile for a resort, it’s the center of the summer season and the final put up is about, you recognize, joyful New 12 months, proper? As a result of that actual time facet and the authenticity is misplaced. And that’s an actual alternative for friends each far and locals like we’re speaking about to actually get to know you and the property a bit bit higher and present your, your hospitality and take care of us.
Leslie Weil:We additionally have been delayed so many instances, as with each renovation that I actually really feel lots of people have been shedding face on the actual fact, are they actually going to open? So for us it was essential to showcase it in social media as quickly because it was carried out. Like, hi there, we’re actually right here. I do know it took some time, however see us, you recognize, we’re stunning.
Ryan Embree:And to inform your story as nicely, I feel you get lots of people invested in that, proper? The area people have been, wow, this has been beneath renovation for months on in and now we get to expertise this for the primary time and folks loving it.
Leslie Weil:One of many large issues right here too is that, like I discussed, like an inspector would come and say, Hey, you recognize, my daughter had her Candy 16 right here. Like lots of people from the local people did issues at this resort. So for them to have the ability to see it come alive, and probably the most rapid factor to do is social media.
Ryan Embree:So cool. So cool to see. Effectively, as we wrap up right here Leslie, as basic supervisor, you recognize, as you see these visitor experiencing this, this reimagined nearly model new resort for the primary time, what’s your hope that they are saying and really feel about their expertise right here as they go away the Fort Lauderdale Pompano Seashore Resort?
Leslie Weil:I feel the very best factor I heard this weekend that makes me understand that is what I would like, is that it felt upscale but approachable. , I would like you to really feel such as you’re at house and which you could have a good time and be your self, however actually have reminiscences that you simply’re constructing when you’re staying with us. I feel that in hospitality, some of the stunning issues is that we get to be part of all people’s life. Generally of their finest moments and generally of their worst. However you need them to create a reminiscence that they all the time can look again or come again to. And as we’re reimagined those who have been right here earlier than, we wanna wow them by feeling like they’re household and that they’d a good time, but in addition those who have by no means been right here to have that very same feeling and that very same approachability to the area that the others.
Ryan Embree:I really like that. It’s actually among the best solutions I’ve heard on that query, Leslie. So thanks a lot for internet hosting us right here at your stunning Property. Encourage all of our Suite Spot listeners, come test it out. Come try Pompano Seashore, see what Leslie and her group have carried out right here on this unbelievable property. Thanks a lot for being on the Suite Spot.
Leslie Weil:Thanks a lot for having me, and I sit up for having you again and all of your listeners quickly.
Ryan Embree:All proper, superior. We’ll discuss to you subsequent time on The Suite Spot. To hitch our loyalty program, remember to subscribe and provides us a 5 star score on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Journey Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with Cowl Artwork by Bary Gordon. I’m your host, Ryan Embree, and we hope you loved your keep.
