Carter leads staff at new Hampton Inn in Shenandoah Valley
Woodstock, VA – Sheer energy. That’s what you think, when you meet her.
Billie Jo Carter has been tapped by Allon LeFever, President of A Better Hospitality Company, as the General Manager of the new Hampton Inn & Suites that’s scheduled to open in late September in historic Woodstock, Virginia, the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. On board since May, Carter is busy at work setting marketing, sales, operations, and partnerships in place. However, through it all, what she’s focusing on is superior customer service.
It appears that Carter’s background as Operations Manager at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Strasburg, Virginia, will serve the hotel, and its customers, quite well. “When guests stay at our new facility,” says Carter, “they will, of course, be covered by Hampton Inn’s 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. What that means is that if you are not satisfied, you don’t pay. We work to make sure every guest is happy. Our guests will enjoy the best of both worlds: the latest amenities of the Hampton Inn & Suites, coupled with warm Valley hospitality.”
The hotel – the first Hilton property to be built within 50 miles – will be located on the southeast corner of Interstate 81 and Route 42 in Woodstock. It sits just a few miles from the popular downtown historic district along famous Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) that sports a number of unique restaurants and antique shops. Many special festivals take place nearby all year long, especially during the Fall as the leaves turn brilliant shades of crimson, orange, and bright yellow. Bryce Resort – complete with golf and ski facilities – is also within 15 miles.
For those looking for a break from the Metro rat race, the hotel is also close to Route 66 coming out of the Northern Virgina/D.C. corridor, and close to the entrance to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park. “It’s a perfect spot to pull into, enjoy, and use as a home base for seeing all of the wonderful Valley sites, nature, and wildlife in the area,” says Carter.
The Hampton Inn & Suites/Woodstock will have 92 rooms, of which 30 are suites. Four of the suites are “Celebration Suites,” with in-room hot tubs. The hotel will also feature an indoor heated pool and hot breakfast in an open area where the walls are covered with Shenandoah Valley scenes. In addition, those who want to hold meetings, specials events, receptions, and weddings in the Valley will be pleased by the hotel’s state-of-the art meeting facilities, including a pre-function area and a professional, luxurious Executive Boardroom.
Carter has hired two other members of the Management Team. Laura Hadden has been named Assistant General Manager. She’s a resident of Woodstock, and as previously was the the Assistant General Manager at the Jamison Inn in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In addition, Holly Herald, who was born and raised in nearby Edinburg, Virginia, will be the Front Desk Supervisor.
Reservations are now being taken for meeting facilities, special events, and rooms, by calling: (540) 459-7111 (local). The hotel’s local web site address is: www.hamptoninnwoodstock.com.
(Photo: From left to right: Holly Herald, Front Desk Supervisor; Billie Jo Carter, General Manager; and Laura Hadden, Assistant General Manager, of the new Hampton Inn & Suites in Woodstock, Virginia, in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.)
