Group General Manager of Lotus Living and Bozzo Group Jen Severn said the team at Sebel Yarrawonga has always strived to put guest experience, service, and amenity at the forefront, culminating in a premium hotel that visitors love.
“Opening in November 2020, we were faced significant headwinds like ongoing COVID lockdowns and since industry-wide labour shortages,” Ms Severn said.
“Sebel Yarrawonga is now looking to the future with new management, renewed expectations and a revitalised team, to ensure we can continue to deliver the level of service that is expected of an establishment like ours.”
Ms Severn said Lotus Living, the owner of Sebel Yarrawonga, remains committed first and foremost to the guests and their experiences at the hotel, alongside the wider Yarrawonga region.
“This commitment to the region extends to a five-star training facility, whereby staff spend time sharing knowledge with key personnel and members of the Accor team with the goal to become the best regional hotel in Victoria.
“Following a thorough consultation process, we have several key announcements across our expert team. Recognising the dedication, commitment to guests and hard work of two long-term staff members – who are also Yarrawonga locals – we have promoted Kimberley Fitzpatrick to Executive Chef and Simone Buckingham to Head of Operations.
“We have also recently engaged a Conference and Events Business Development Manager, whose focus will be bringing business far and wide to our hotel for all business needs.
“This will attract more visitors to the area and allow for more work with local businesses to continuously increase tourism to Yarrawonga.
“We’ve also recognised the dedication and hard work of one of our Guest Service Agents, Sisi Howard. Sisi has been promoted to the role of Housekeeping Manager, and now manages a team of 11 staff,” Ms Severn said.
Sebel Yarrawonga employ more than 130 permanent and casual staff during peak periods and have recently started engaging with backpackers who are visiting Australia.
“This has been a great outcome for the hotel, bringing international experience and allowing our guests to engage with these staff members – and hear their amazing stories – in our restaurant.”
Ms Severn, a country girl herself who grew up in Strathbogie, understands the importance of being local no matter what business your in.
Employing local, making locals feel welcome at the hotel, engaging with the community and local businesses to build tourism to the region are high on Ms Severn’s agenda.
As part of this commitment, Ms Severn and the team are working on several projects, including annual art exhibitions, collaborations with local businesses including local winemakers and producers Rich Glen, Squires Winery, ClubMulwala, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort and the Mulwala Water Ski Club.
“Collectively, we are all businesses that are committed to local tourism and cultivating memorable experiences in Yarrawonga,” Ms Severn said.
As part of the Sebel’s journey of continued improvement and increasing service delivery to their guests, Jen welcomes constructive feedback on how we at Sebel Yarrawonga can achieve the objective of being the best regional Hotel in Victoria, while increasing local tourism to Yarrawonga.
Sebel Yarrawonga and Lotus Living are committed to the community and community engagement, partnering with Melbourne Storm to promote the hotel and Black Bull Golf Club on a national scale, and supporting the launch of the Bella Tripp Foundation (https://thebellatrippfoundation.org.au/).
“We are currently working on some exciting initiatives, both within the restaurant and as a resort overall. We are excited about our new winter food and wine menus, which will launch to the public on May 1,” Ms Severn said.
“We are working with Black Bull Golf Club on a range of new experiences, and we look forward to welcoming Survivor Golf to our resort in early May.
“We are also hosting a Mother’s Day lunch experience at Stock and Barrel restaurant, where you can bring your mum along to spoil her for the day,” Ms Sever said.
Lotus Living is also working on two new major projects, including changes to the driving range to allow for special events, and delivery of the Sebel Stage 2 – being an additional 50-room apartment block.
The Sebel marketing team is very busy working on planning the next 12 months of events.
If you have an event that you’d love to see, some feedback or an experience you’d like to share, write to the Sebel Yarrawonga team at h9941@accor.com.”
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