Posts Tagged ‘Vancouver Island’

The busy summer season has begun at Abigail’s and we are all looking forward to a successful few months. There are some exciting changes in store for the hotel. Last month we had new photography taken of all the guestrooms, public spaces and exterior, by photographer Alec Watson. We are in the development stages of refreshing our brand, which will include a new logo, website and Marketing collateral, plus many technological improvements including a new website booking engine.

As Hotels tirelessly strive to gain new business, we at Abigail’s, would like to thank our past and repeat guests who have helped make Abigail’s what it is today. We’d like to celebrate these guests with a chance to win a 2 night stay in one of our Honeymoon Rooms! Tell us your most memorable experience while staying at Abigail’s and you will be entered into a draw. The winner will be announced in July.

Enter by fax, email or mail. All entries must be received by June 30, 2010.

When Abigail’s Executive Chef, Matt McGinn, decided to take a long awaited family holiday to Ireland, we all wished him a fantastic trip and safe travels. Everything was planned, our part time chef, Victoria, was to fill in during the week, and on weekends, Matt arranged for a former colleague, Kendra, to fill in. Both chef’s were amazing, all the staff gained at least 5 pounds and now Matt has some catching up to do to match chef Victoria’s sumptuous baked goods.

All was running smoothly until that dreaded email….Matt is stuck in Ireland and doesn’t know when he can get out. The airline disruptions have hit home! Was new GM, Nick’s worst nightmare about to happen? Would he suddenly find himself at the helm of the kitchen cooking for a full house? Thankfully, for all of us, no! With some quick thinking and a bit of persuasion, Wes was able to convince our former chef, Jan Boyd, to rescue us from potential food poisoning. Jan resumed control of the kitchen with ease and all of us who remember her sinfully good breakfasts, are once again indulging in some of the best breakfasts Abigail’s has ever served (insert weight gain here…)

We hope Matt returns to us soon and isn’t lost in a cloud of ash, or a pub in Ireland?? – But until then, Abigail’s kitchen is in fabulous hands, treating guests (and staff) to Victoria’s most sinfully decadent gourmet breakfasts.

After 10 years of dedication to Abigail’s Hotel, current General Manager, Wes Wong, will be leaving us in September to take an articling position, in pursuit of his Chartered Accountant designation with Grant Thornton, here in Victoria.

Joining us is Nick Saklas, son of owner Ellen Cmolik, who enticed her son to join our team on March 1, 2010. Coincidentally, Nick has left a 10 year career as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG LLP in Vancouver. Nick has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria, is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator. For the last five years, Nick practiced in Corporate Finance, specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions.

Nick will be bringing with him his wife, Lisa, and their 1 year old son Alexander. Nick and Lisa met while at UVic, so neither are strangers to life on Vancouver Island. Nick is very excited and enthusiastic to be joining the Abigail’s family.