Durretts capture top County hospitality award
Fish-Tale Marina owners Al and Kathy Durrett humbly accepted the prestigious Honor of Distinction award during the 2015 Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa today.
The Durretts were applauded for the best in customer service in Lee County for graciously providing lodging for a family that was swindled in a Craig’s List condo rental scam and couldn’t find appropriate accommodations (due to places being booked or out of their price range) on Fort Myers Beach.
Nomination remarks state the Durretts offered their guest house for a mere $100, helped with the unpacking, provided food for the week, a day boating trip, a fishing trip and a dinner and a movie at Beach Theater. When the guest house was rented out a few days later, the Durretts invited the mother and two daughters to stay with them in their home.
“We could not have been made to feel more special on this trip,” said Ann Walkington in her nomination letter. “We were so blessed to have met them and they literally saved us. We are forever grateful – there are very few people like them in the world!”
The two families stayed in touch and became friends. When the Walkingtons were notified that the Durretts might be receiving an award in late August, they decided to fly down to be at the awards ceremony. And, you can guess where they stayed during their visit – at the Durretts’ home.
The 15th annual awards ceremony celebrated hospitality professionalism and extraordinary customer service that businesses provide to Lee County visitors each year. First class service and “over-the-top” hospitality role models were selected in six categories: restaurant, transportation, accommodations, attractions, other services and Good Samaritan. Best Tourism Boss and the prestigious Honor of Distinction award were also awarded.
The 2015 category winners were Jason Barrett of Lee County Port Authority (transportation), who captured the same award last year; Chef David Rashty of Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina (restaurant); Nicole Logan of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Myers East at the Forum (accommodations); Bill Hammond of Endless Summer Charters (attractions); Nicole King of Keiser University (other services); and Capt. Skip Laney and Capt. Brian Holaway with Captiva Cruises (Good Samaritan). Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village General Manager Eric Ashton was recognized as the Best Tourism Boss.
Honorable mention plaques and overall winner trophies were distributed to the 2014 customer service leaders.