Staybridge Suites bring culture to the capital

Staybridge Suites, the UK’s first upscale extended-stay hotel brand, has shunned the traditional recruitment approach for its first hotel outside the Americas. In seeking out those best able to deliver its unique ‘home from home’ atmosphere, a small, hand-picked group who exuded individuality and enthusiasm took part in ‘auditions’ for the new hotel’s roles during April. Most unusually perhaps, the candidates had no previous hotel experience between them.

The aspiring staff went through an audition process which allowed them to demonstrate their creativity and passion. Meanwhile, Staybridge Suites’ Culture Coach, Janet Roberts, looked out for behavioural patterns in each candidate that mirrored the values of both the brand and the parent company, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Janet Roberts explained: “To break away from the traditional hotel service and help recreate Staybridge Suites’ unique homely spirit in the UK, team members essentially become a part of each guest’s extended family.”

“This is a technique that has already been used with great success in the US to inspire the very best people to join our US hotel. We are confident that our Liverpool auditions have helped us identify employees who we believe to have the genuine star quality we look for and that we will have similar success with our forthcoming UK properties”

Regular Staybridge Spirit training will be available for all staff and they will be encouraged to share best practices and awareness about guest likes and dislikes to further the ‘home from home’ experience.

As culture is an integral part of the brand, Staybridge Suites staff will be embracing Liverpool’s Capital of Culture status by taking part in a Liverpool Culture Day. Each new member of the team is not only inducted on the hotel but also on the city of Liverpool, including participating in guided tours of the docks and exploring the sites on the Yellow Duck Tour.

Speaking of this unorthodox recruitment style, John Wagner, Vice President Staybridge Suites for Europe, Middle East & Africa, added: “IHG has always believed that having an involved and engaged workforce who feel able to bring the same amount of energy and enthusiasm that they have for their passions outside of work to the workplace is fundamental to delivering outstanding service. As such, having no previous hotel industry experience is actually less of a priority than having the right personality to help create a flexible environment where guests can feel truly at home.”

Staybridge Suites Liverpool, located on Kings Waterfront development is due to open on 19 June 2008.

Find out more at Ihg.com .