What are you waiting for, an invitation? Okay, maybe that’s what it took for me to visit Coeur d’Alene Resort but now I have uncountable reasons to return. Lake Coeur d’Alene, the view, the food.. oh the food, the top ranked golf course, and Northwest’s largest collection of fine wines, are all excellent reasons to visit but honestly, it was the family of staff that will bring me back.
The cruise on the Spirit of Lake Coeur d’Alene with Captain Carl Fus was flawless right down to his parallel parking the 65-foot boat. When I asked him where he goes to relax after 24 years with the resort, he replied, “to work.”
Dinner at Beverly’s Restaurant was extraordinary. The fine dining experience was topped off by Victor, server extraordinaire as he offered up a taste of charm, humor and class to go with my New Zealand rack of lamb.
Our group took refuge in the brand new, Hagadone Event Center overlooking the Lake Coeur d’Alene as we watched golfers take aim for the floating green in 20 mph wind gusts. Our host Steve Carey, National Sales Manager shared how, as a broke college student many years ago, he turned a dream opportunity to play the course into his first job opportunity with the resort as a caddie.
Towards the end of the trip I was reflecting on the excellence of the staff with our other host Kayoko Magnus, Sales Manager. Her wistful expression spoke more than words as she talked about her first job with the resort 15 years ago at the reception desk and the kind of person it takes to provide the true meaning of hospitality and be one of the first smiles to greet guests.
On the day of my departure I fiddled around secretly not wanting to leave as the gracious valet Daniel held my car door for me. When I finally situated myself, Daniel invited me to “Please come visit us again”. Yes thank you, I will.
– Sheri Harbour de Vos
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