Cathy Dobson, Sarnia Journal
Management at the new Hampton Inn by Hilton on Venetian Boulevard spent the last few weeks sifting through resumes and conducting job interviews.
By late January,
The 95-room hotel sandwiched between the Best Western and the Holiday Inn will open by late January, said Peter Tosh, director of operations with Hamilton-based Vrancor Group, which is in charge of property management and development.
About 400 people showed up at the hotel’s job fair last month and job offers made over the holidays to 35 full-time and part-time employees for positions ranging from housekeeping and maintenance to food service and reception, said Tosh.
“It was so nice to see such a good quality of applicants,” he said.
Amy Dykxhoorne has been hired as general manager and Amanda Stewart is the new sales manager. Both come from other Hampton Inn properties in London and Guelph.
Construction began last spring on the six-storey hotel and it’s just a few weeks behind schedule, said Tosh.
Sarnia’s Hampton Inn – which is technically located in Point Edward – is being built based on the strength of the region’s corporate travel and tourism.
Business travellers are expected to fill the hotel during the week while leisure travellers and sports teams are anticipated on weekends, said Tosh.
“We see a great deal of value locating near the U.S. border, in a place where there’s a casino close by.
“It’s a great location with the Bluewater Bridge and all the beauty of the waterfront,” he said. “We embrace border towns and also have a hotel in Windsor.”
Sarnia’s newest hotel will have a 24-hour fitness centre, indoor pool and a 24-hour shop called TREATS.
Deluxe studio suites will be available with kitchenettes and additional space, the kind of rooms frequently requested by long-term guests who may be doing contract work in the Chemical Valley.
Other amenities include meeting/banquet space for up to 150 people, a 10-person boardroom, free hot breakfast, a business centre and guest laundry.
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