I have been to this building and spent a night or ...

I have been to this building and spent a night or two with my parents when it was the Holiday Inn as a child. It then became the Crown Plaza Hotel I believe and I spent a few nights there as well and have been involved in events which were held there as an organiser, participant and spectator or guest. One of the more prestigious ones where I was directly involved was held by the Trinidad AND Tobago Civil Aviation Authority and the Airports Authority to commemorate the attainment of the status of "Category One" allowing our National Airline to fly freely into the US without significant restrictions. The building itself and the Staff worked quite well to ensure that the event which had various dignitaries such as the Prime Minister of TnT, various high level dignitaries such as the US Ambassador to TnT and high level operatives of the US CAA.

Now it is the Radisson Hotel in its latest incarnation. I must say that there were differences in the quality of service between the previous Crown Plaza brand and the Radisson.

The service I found was not nearly as pleasant or as professional as what I experienced with the Crown Plaza. The workers seemed stressed out and unhappy. I inquired of them as what were the best and worst things about working at the hotel. I asked 5 to 6 different employees from servers to attendants to the persons in reception to persons at the bar and stewards. They all worked at different establishments prior to working at the Radisson. They all loved the fact that the building is kind of iconic in Trinidad with the Revolving restaurant and its location was easy to get to as it was in the heart of the Capital. What they also enjoyed was the chance to help to build a new international brand here in Trinidad. What they were not too thrilled about was the management.

I must say that it showed. The staff seemed frustrated. They wanted to do a good job I am sure but something was wrong. I understand that the Management of Human Resources is not what it could be. There seems to be a fair amount of oppression by senior staff upon the junior staff which has been left unchecked. It really bothers me that in this day and age people who are managing in international brand are taking for granted the value of the life blood of the hotel... the workers. Workplace bullying is an absolute no no and should be stamped out. I actually witnessed a bit of it. It was unfortunate.

The superficial changes such as paint and carpeting that have come as a result of the name change are not as important as the leadership and the management which goes into the creation of a really great brand. I have been involved in Human Resources Management issues at different levels in the travel industry. I do believe that if the Radisson gets this right, maybe through some training for management or something like that they may rise to the expectations that persons have of the Radisson brand internationally. Until then I would hesitate to recommend the newest addition to the hotel offering in Trinidad and Tobago. I am sure they can achieve this.

I will be back there sometime in the future out of curiosity for the most part. I will be sure to write an honest review of the service then. I truly hope things have improved by then.