Our Guiding Principles offer comfort amidst crisis
In the wake of the worst wildfire season in California’s history, OTO team members embodied our Guiding Principles, going above and beyond to help those displaced by the fires and the brave first responders working to contain the blaze.
Martha Pantoja usually clocks in as a housekeeper at Hampton Inn & Suites in Thousand Oaks, but during the fire she checked in as a guest seeking shelter and safety. As other evacuees sought shelter, travelers canceled stays and firefighters stopped to sleep in odd shifts, Martha — without being asked — jumped into action, grabbing a cleaning cart and flipping rooms before settling in her own room.
Over at OTO’s Hampton Inn & Suites in Camarillo, night auditor Carolyn Stokes took initiative during the Woolsey fire, working to open the kitchen early so that firefighters and first responders staying at the hotel could have a fresh, hot breakfast before heading out to their shifts.
Across the board and at every level, our team members in Thousand Oaks and Camarillo embodied our Guiding Principles, working outside their normal responsibilities to accommodate guests during crisis. General Managers, Assistant General Managers and other supervisors cleaned rooms to expedite rapidly changing check-in needs. Directors of Sales moonlighted as reservations managers. Front desk clerks served refreshments and packed to-go bags for firefighters on their way to the line. Housekeepers came early and stayed late to be sure rooms were ready whenever fire crews returned for much-needed rest.
Because of the dedication and hard work of every team member, these OTO-managed Hampton Inns were able to fulfill the promise to be a home away from home at a time when guests needed it most.