Business posted May 11, 2023 @ 01:00pm by Steve MacNaull

BC's 'Hotel of the Year,' 'Hotelier of the Year,' and 'Leader of the Future' revealed

For always putting people -- and the planet -- first, Trina White has won the BC Hotel Association's prestigious 'Hotelier of the Year' award.

White, the general manager of the Parkside Hotel & Spa in Victoria, embraces the 'triple bottom line,' which sees the hotel put as much emphasis on staff and guests and the environment as it does on making money.

"I love what I do and am thrilled to be part of an industry that can be a power in support of renewal," said White.

"Many years ago, I made it my mission to help save the planet, marching in support of positive change. I'm so proud to continue my sustainability activism, working to educate and mentor other hotel leaders, our city, island and province."

</who>Trina White, general manager of Parkside Hotel & Spa in Victoria, won 'Hotelier of the Year' at the BC Hotel Association's Awards of Excellence.

The Parkside is the first urban hotel worldwide and the first Canadian property to belong to Beyond Green, a collection of the Earth's most sustainable hotels.

White helped create the green committee for the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria and is also on the Destination Greater Victoria Sustainability Committee.

</who>Parkside Hotel & Spa is an all-suites hotel at 810 Humboldt St. in downtown Victoria.

At the BC Hotel Association's annual Summit earlier this month at Kelowna's Delta Grand hotel, seven Awards of Excellence were handed out.

The 'Hotel of the Year' trophy went to Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa in Royston, eight kilometres south of Courtenay.

The boutique retreat is set in a coastal forest on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Besides terrific ocean view rooms and suites, it also has an outdoor pool, restaurant, wine bar and Pacific Mist Spa with grotto and steam cave.

</who>Kingfisher Oceanside Resort in Royston (eight kilometres south of Courtenay) won 'Hotel of the Year.'

Pink Yu, director of operations and marketing at Robin Hood Inn & Suites in Victoria, picked up the 'Leader of the Future' trophy.

Robin Hood is a circa-1963 motel on Gorge Road East that's been updated and modernized and offers complimentary e-bikes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and shuttle to downtown, the ferry terminal and airport for all guests.

</who>Pink Yu, the director of operations and marketing at Robin Hood Inn & Suites in Victoria, was named 'Leader of the Future.'

Here's the full list of winners and finalists:

- Hotelier of the Year

Winner: Trina White, Parkside Hotel & Spa in Victoria

Finalists: Esteya Gosalbez of Four Season Resort Whistler, Cyrus Merchant of Sandman Hotel Group, Sarah Vallely of OPUS Vancouver and Sarah Webb of Oswego Hotel Victoria

- Hotel of the Year

Winner: Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa in Royston

Finalists: Oswego Hotel in Victoria, Versante Hotel in Richmond, Parkside Hotel & Spa in Victoria and Robin Hood Inn & Suites in Victoria

- Leader of the Future

Winner: Pink Yu, Robin Hood Inn & Suites in Victoria

Finalist: Anna McAlary, Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver

- Recruitment Award

Winner: Accent Inns, which has properties in Kelowna, Richmond, Kamloops, Burnaby and Victoria

- Housekeeping Award

Winner: Coast Hotel Prince George

Finalists: Four Seasons Resort in Whistler, Hotel Zed in Kelowna, Sandman Suites Davie Street Vancouver, Parkside Hotel & Spa in Victoria and Versante Hotel in Richmond

- Supplier of the Year

Winner: SONA (payment processing software)

Finalists: Bichin Laundry Equipment and Haddon Equipment & Supplies

- Heart of Hospitality

Winner: Chef Kunal Dighe of JW Marriott Parq Vancouver

Finalist: Chef Richard Benson of Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa in Royston

</who>The JW Marriott Parq Vancouver where Chef Kunal Dighe works. Dighe won the 'Heart of Hospitality' award.