Education About Checking Into a Resort

Working at a resort is something I've always wanted to do. I about to graduate with a major in Tourism, and so far I am loving interning at the Royal Palms. Although I love what I do, it has exposed me to a variety of people. With that being said, I want to ask a question. When you check into a hotel/resort, what do you think you need? Of the friends that I have asked, most answered, credit card. If you guessed credit card, then you are correct! It AMAZES me how many people will try to check into the resort and they are shocked when we ask for a credit card.

Another thing that many guest do not realize is what an authorization is and what it does. Let me break down the process of checking in. First you give us the last name the reservation is under. we then pull up the reservation on the computer and then go over the registration card with you. This information consists of how much your resort fee is and what it covers, how long your stay is and what your rate is. It also covers the no smoking policy, deep cleaning fees and the check out time. After we go over the information we then ask for a photo id and a credit card. We then swipe the card and hold an AUTHORIZATION of money. That include incidentals, room, tax, and resort fee. Now what an authorization means is that we have a hold on a certain amount of money and we release that the authorization after you check out. When you check out you can pay however you please; either with that card, another card, cash or even check. Now 9 out of 10, most people know this process and understand what it means. For the few that do not understand, we break it down and and explain it, and then for the very few that still don't understand, they are the ones who end up getting mad at the Front Desk Staff and blaming us for their troubles.

Another thing about authorizations. When people put a DEBIT card down, I let them know how much we are authorizing on the card. If they do not understand, I explain we are not CHARGING the card, we are simply doing an authorization that puts a hold on a certain amount of money.... I know this blog post is a little dry, but I guess the main reason for posting this is the frustration I get with people sometimes. Just recently I informed a guest, that used a debit card, of how much we were authorizing and she said "So you're charging me?" I told her no it was just a hold on the money. TWO DAYS LATER, she comes to the Front Desk and says I took money from her and charged her bank account and that I NEED TO BE RETRAINED. Now mind you, she never said any of that to me face.... NO, she told another Front Desk Agent. After our Assistant Manager handled the situation, everything was pretty much resolved. It just sucked being blamed for something that is has nothing to do with me, but with the error of the other person. All well.

Sorry for the little rant and rave. I guess you could say this was a little bit if a venting session... Either way, just know the hotel's policies before you check in and if you have questions about it, call them before your actual arrival. Other than that, working at the resort is wonderful! I'm meeting new people everyday and I'm really starting to get to know my co-workers, which is awesome. The semester is moving along quite quick, but its great! Looking forward to absorbing more information and fine tuning my skills. :)

Its a Bittersweet Symphony

Hello World! School is back in session and for many Tourism Seniors at ASU, this means internship time! Woot Woot! Luckily, I am one of those seniors. This semester I will just be interning at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Its been so amazing thus far. I'm learning an insane amount the industry and I'm loving every moment of it! Although its super exciting to be a senior and just a few months away from having my degree, this entire experience is a little bittersweet. I just recently helped ASU with Fall Welcome. This consisted of meeting Freshmen in the College of Public Programs and also riding the bus with them to the main Fall Welcome events on the Tempe campus. I have to say, it was so invigorating to be apart of all the excitement. It definitely reminded me of my Freshman experience and how excited I was to be a college student. It strange to look back and realize how FAST college flew by. To all of you students out there, take this small piece of advice. Enjoy your time in college. Savor those moments. Inhale each and every adventure. Absorbs as much information as your brain will allow, and then push yourself to be better than you imagined. There will be times when it feels like the stress will be too much and just engulf you, but trust me when I say this, its not the end of the world. Take a breath, think positive, and just take it one task at a time. Before you know it, you'll be done, and be so much stronger than you ever fathomed.

I loved the time I had at ASU. I met some amazing people, learned more than I ever thought possible, and grew not only as a student, but also as a person. In conclusion, Welcome Back to School and Lets GO Sun Devils!!!!

Lonni

New Year. New Blog.

So it has been a pretty long time since I last wrote on my blog, but I figured, better late than never! With this now becoming my own personal blog, and not really one for ASU, the topics will be a lot more random, and more about me! Sounds fun right?

Now for the update. Andy (my boyfriend), has been back from Basic Training since December and we moved in together in March! Yay! This is the very first time being on my own and actually living with a boyfriend. A little different, I must say. Everything has been great though. We do have our random arguments and of course the discussion of leaving the toilet seat up, but other that its been awesome. We live in Mesa in a little two story town home with my dog Latte. It has been fun trying to decorate, shop, and even budget together. Living together is a whole other ball game. It really is a learning experience for the both of us, but we've been having fun throughout the process. We both work A LOT, but we try to spend as much time together as possible. Now that this is my personal blog, you'll probably hear more about him in the up coming months. He is simply one of the best things to ever happen to me and I'm blessed to have someone so special like him in my life. Love my Ginger Boyfriend :)

Ok, so enough with the sappy stuff and on to business! I started working at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in June, and its INCREDIBLE! I love that fact that I'm doing something in my career field, and its actually in a top notch resort! I'm learning so much and I'm excited to learn even more. Its so crazy to actually do something that I worked so hard in school for. I'm actually starting my career! The resort is beautiful and my coworkers are so helpful and supportive. It is a wonderful work environment and I look forward to coming to work each day.

I have covered love, work, now School! Or should I say, graduation ;) Yes that's right people. I will be graduating this December with a degree in Tourism Development and Management. Whoot Whoot! Three and a half years of hard work, tears, and too much stress, its finally coming to a close. This Fall I will just be interning at the Royal Palms and not actually attend classes. Its a little bittersweet, but its time. Grad school will happen, but not right away. I want to gain experience and network myself, and maybe in two or three years, I'll be getting my Masters. Till then I'll just work, work, work!

This really has been my life in a really short synopsis, but trust me, there is more to come! Photos, updates,and even videos (if I can figure out how to get them on here...). Till then, Hugs and Love.

Lonni

School + Stress = Best Friends

Fall Semester. Wow! Is it just me or does anyone else realize that school is really hard this semester!? Maybe it’s just the classes I’m taking or there is something in the air, but either way, stress is here for sure!

Now I’m not one to complain but I have been asking around and it seems like I’m not the only one having a rough semester. Many of my friends are taking some pretty tough classes. I guess that just comes with the territory of being a Junior in college! The test of endurance really sets in right before you’re a senior. To all my fellow college students out there KEEP IT UP! YOU CAN DO IT!

In other news I got a new job! Yay! I still work at StARs but I am now also working at Fair Trade Café just across the street from the Downtown Phoenix Campus. It is this little coffee shop located in the Civic Space Park, downstairs in the AE building. My first day of work was yesterday and it was fantastic. I had so much fun! It was great learning about all the different types of drinks and food there. I will have my espresso bar training later this week and that’s when I get to learn how to make all the different coffee drinks. Super excited! If you ever happen to be in the area go ahead and stop by. Get a cool beverage of some sort or grab a bite to eat!

I hope everyone’s semester is going ok and everyone is staying on track! Remember, we can do this! Have a Great Weekend!!!


Lonni Summers

August Already?!

We are now entering the month of August and what does that mean? You got it kiddies, school is just around the corner. For many this is a time of stress which can involve moving into a dorm or apartment, buying supplies and books, or just trying to get back into the swing of things. For all you stressed out students out there do not fear! Take a deep breath and just relax. What I’ve learned over the past couple of years here at ASU is that everything will happen in its own time. Now, I’m not saying just sit back and hope that your stuff will magically move itself into your new dorm, I’m just simply stating that no matter how much you stress and worry about, it will not make time move any slower or faster, so just take a step back and let nature run its course. With only a few days left for summer vacation, now is not the time to worry about the little things. Take these last days of summer and enjoy them! Go swimming, go on vacation, hang out with some friends, or even just sleep in a little bit longer because once school is in session, sleep does not exists for us college kids. Trust me; by the time we get back to school, we’ll have plenty of stress to deal with. Hope everyone is enjoying our last few days of vacation and remember, enjoy it while it lasts. Have an Amazing Day!!!

Hello World!!!

Hello World! So, I know its been awhile but I have decided to get blogging again and update everyone on my life. Where to begin!?

Lets start with the ending on the Spring semester. I passed my classes with flying colors. (It was slightly shocking for some classes because I really thought I would barely pass but I happily surprised myself!) I had the honor of receiving the Phoenician Scholarship and I also began working full time at Big Surf Water Park for my 4th season in a row, but this time as the Aquatics Manager! I have to say it has been an exciting semester and summer is looking as busy as ever.

In other exciting news, I moved out of my parents’ house for a month and moved in with my Sweetie Andy. This gave us the opportunity to spend as much time with each other before he left for the Army. Andy is in the Army Reserves and left for Basic Training on July 13th. After two months of Basic he will go on to AIT which is his training for his specific job. He chose Military Police. Unfortunately he will be gone for about 20 weeks. I miss him terribly and can only hope that the next few months fly by. For the first 9 weeks Andy will not be able to use the phone that often. Usually just on Sundays and phone calls can only be about 3-5 minutes. Not a lot of time to get to talk to the one you love, but I’ll take what I can get. We mainly communicate through letters for his Boot camp training. When he gets to AIT he will have more privileges and be able to use the phone more often. Until then, I’ll be writing him a ton of letters!

For some reason this summer seems to be the summer to study abroad. I have my Best Friend Reyna studying Spain, my close friend Danny got to study in England and travel around Europe as well, and another friend of mine is doing some sort of special Army training in Germany. I have to admit, I was a little bit jealous of everyone’s fun and exciting travels so I decided to come up with my own trip/study abroad plan. This winter I want to travel to New Zealand! I have always wanted to visit this wonderful country and now that I’m approaching graduation (3 more semesters!) I would really like to travel while I still can. So I have decided that I am going to spend 2 weeks in New Zealand just for myself. I won’t be doing anything for school or getting any sort of college credit but just traveling for my own enjoyment. I am so serious about this that I have actually started looking up airfares and hotel costs. So far it is looking around the range of $2100 to $2800 to go there for two weeks. This is just airfare and the hotel. This does not include the cost of food and all the fun activities I plan to do. If I don’t get to go this winter then it’ll be my graduation present to myself next December.

This summer has been flying by and school is fast approaching! This semester is looking pretty challenging. I am taking my first Graduate course (REC 500- Research Methods) to get a jump start on my Masters program. I’ll probably be one of VERY few undergraduates in that class and not going to lie, I feel a little intimidated. I’m really hoping I don’t make a fool of myself in there, but I guess I just have to go in with positive thinking! I am also taking Tourism Planning and Tourism Transportation Systems with Professor Teye. I heard these are difficult classes but I am looking forward to learning as much as I can about the Tourism industry. The class I am most excited for is Jazz I. I have not taken a dance class since my Freshman year and I cannot wait to get back to it! The only problem is that this class is at 8 in the morning. This is actually the earliest class I have ever had in my entire college career. I am not a morning person so this is really going to be interesting waking up super early for one class.

This has kind of been my summer in a nutshell. I am trying to make more time for blogging so hopefully life won’t bog me down too much and I can get at least one a two blogs in a week. Till next time, have a Fantastic week!



Lonni Summers

Spirit of Service Scholars Video Winner

Hey everyone! Hope Spring Break is going well for all. I know I'm enjoying my time off! Expect a blog about my recent California trip with my Bestie Tee-Jay and my Boyfriend Andy, but till then I wanted to update everyone on the Spirit of Service Video winner. Check out the video below. Have an awesome day!!!


Lonni Summers