Pictured above: Iain Hardman, East Lodge Managing
Director
With a perfect country house location in the heart of the Peak
District and 10 acres of its own grounds, superior hotel and
restaurant East Lodge has always enjoyed a reputation for the
highest standards of customer service. The fact the hotel and its
staff make the whole process seem so effortless is thanks in part
to great work from innovative software provider Avon Data
Systems.
Based in Bristol, Avon Data Systems are specialists in hotel
management software and quickly recognised that a venue with the
reputation of East Lodge needed a system that would be easy to use
and capable of capturing all the necessary information, thereby
freeing up staff to do what they do best - which is service the
needs of their customers rather than just stare at a computer
screen.
"We are delighted with the work Avon Data Systems have done and
their software system has revolutionised the way we interact with
our guests," said East Lodge Managing Director Iain Hardman. "We
have all the Avon Data System products and we all love their
personal, family approach to business which mirrors our own. I have
worked in the hospitality industry for many years and the majority
of hotel management software products I have seen need a degree
from NASA to operate. By contrast Avon Data software is simplicity
itself and we would have no hesitation in recommending their
software and their work to anyone in the business."
East Lodge recently scooped gold in the regional finals of the
Enjoy England Excellence Awards for Outstanding Customer Service
and Silver in the prestigious national finals this year and part of
the secret of this continuing success for the front of house team
is the Avon Data software. Being easy to operate, it frees up the
time of key staff members to focus on the customers and the
resulting haul of awards and acclaim showered on the hotel is
testament to the efficiency not only of the staff but the systems
running behind the scenes ensuring a smooth, professional
service.
"At East Lodge there was a need for software that would do the
job while allowing the staff to do theirs," said Avon Data Systems'
Chavan Kissoon. "Our suite of software has been designed to provide
comprehensive support and we are pleased that East Lodge has found
it so effective in supporting their business."
From on-line bookings to organising and managing events, Avon
Data Systems continue to supply effective hotel management
solutions to outstanding hotels like East Lodge and other
celebrated venues throughout the country. With over 20 years of
experience, the company's powerful software integrates front of
house and back office functions for greater efficiency and for an
award winning wedding venue like East Lodge, the ability to
organise and manage events is a powerful tool that has helped
ensure that every bride's wedding dream has always come true at
East Lodge.
"East Lodge is all about guest experience and Avon Data software
remains instrumental in helping us to deliver the best every time
when it comes to customer service, " added Iain. "Running a hotel
can be a stressful experience and anything that makes that pressure
a bit more manageable is welcome. The software has developed over
the years into a tool we know we can trust and the company should
be very proud of their software and achievements. They fully
deserve all the success they currently enjoy and we look forward
further developing our relationship."
In the hospitality industry, it is the 'soft skills' that are
often the most important when delivering an award winning
experience and thanks to the powerful software tools from Avon Data
Systems, East Lodge continues to excel when it come delivering the
highest standards. Owned by the Hardman family, this award winning
venue has remained at the top by constantly improving its service
and living by the motto that good enough isn't good enough: a drive
for excellence that has led this former Hotel of the Year to work
with only the finest third party suppliers from the likes of Indigo
Furniture and Steelite, to the amazing Avon Data systems and
remains one of only 48 hotels in the country to be awarded a Visit
England Gold Award.