Super 8 goes the extra mile

    The Super 8 Motel on King’s Highway in the west end of Fort Frances re-defines in many ways the notion of a standard motel.
    The establishment provides a fully-stocked breakfast lounge, a swimming pool, whirlpool, steambath, high-speed Internet in the room, and a coin laundry.
    At the helm of the facility is general manager Wanda Barker. She won the Super 8 “International Manager of the Year” Title for 2006—an impressive achievement considering there are more than 2,000 Super 8’s operating in North America.
    “We believe in offering a clean and friendly experience for our guests,” Barker said.
    The entire Fort Frances staff has, for several years, maintained the “Pride of Super 8” ranking for:
    •excellent Quality Assurance inspections;
    •guest participation in the TripRewards program; and
    •high overall customer service scores
    Barker said customer service in this business involves “. . . creating a homey atmosphere for the guest, they are not just a room number.”
    “I request the staff go the extra mile for the guest, to make a difference in their life today,” she added.
    The staff has shown a high degree of loyalty to the motel. A five-year service pin was earned by six employees and two more workers will pass that milestone in the near future.
    “The work they do plays a key role in our success or failure,” Barker stressed.
    Barker has lived in the district for 27 years, and had worked for many years in a local shop and then ran her own gift shop.
    In May, 2001, she started working as a front desk attendant at the Super 8, and was promoted to general manager in July of that year.
    The motel provides guest passes to a nearby fitness centre, and there also is an on-site barbecue available for guests.