San Diego, CA - Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina, a unique waterfront resort located at the tip of Shelter Island in San Diego, CA., launched this summer a new trademarked service enhancement program, G.U.E.S.T! Service Enhancement Training, which is being implemented as a core element in the renovation of the property. Shelter Pointe is the first hotel to use this comprehensive unique training approach in the industry.

The property has spent the last year spending millions in renovations, but what is more telling than the dynamic room and other ascetic upgrades is the extensive commitment that the property management is making to the training of their staff. "G.U.E.S.T! Service Enhancement Training" is a program that stands for "Give Unbelievable Exceptional Service Today!" and identifies a day in the life of a person that frequents the hotel and determines what level of service they need. Whether a guest is a business traveler, family vacationer or convention guest, the new program will help train Shelter Pointe's 200-plus staff members to put themselves in the guests' frame of reference.

"The G.U.E.S.T.! program is on the edge of hospitality training and will put Shelter Pointe on the forefront of San Diego's hospitality industry," said Kevin Konopasek, CHA, general manager of the Hotel. "The core elements of the program will truly differentiate our staff from other hotels through its thoughtful coaching, practicing and critiquing elements."

By using intensive video-based service simulations, setting up peer-to-peer coaching/accountability relationships, analyzing and identifying macro and micro guest needs, as well as on-shift coaching and mentoring, the G.U.E.S.T.! program is one of the most comprehensive approaches to staff development within the hospitality industry. The training program, conducted in small groups of 12, is unlike any traditional manual philosophy used by most hospitality entities.

The G.U.E.S.T.! training program takes a unique approach to instructing hospitality staff. The "Guest Reception Service Standards," includes informal, innovative and non-traditional instructions, such as "Slang is Bad. Proper Grammar is Good," as well as a group workbook giving hotel management an interactive alternative to the conventional, old-fashioned training approach.

The G.U.E.S.T.! program was the brainchild of hospitality consultant Bryan Siever. He plans to provide the new programs G.U.E.S.T.! materials and training approaches to other hotel entities nationwide. Further, Siever is also in the development of online, interactive modules to support the G.U.E.S.T.! program materials.

"After working in both the hospitality and technology industries for over 15 years in various front-line and managerial functions, I realized that there wasn't an interactive approach to training hospitality staff, solely a traditional manual approach," said Siever. "The G.U.E.S.T.! program teaches service enhancement to employees throughout all aspects of a hotel."

Situated on 12-acres of lush tropical gardens, the Hotel features 18,000 square-feet of meeting and banquet facilities; two heated swimming pools and whirlpool spas; fitness center overlooking the bay; private sand beach, volleyball courts; bicycle and boat rentals; and full-service 523-slip marina. For reservations and more information about Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina, dial toll-free 1-800-566-2524 or 619-221-8000 or visit the web at http://www.shelterpointe.com.