EMPLOYEE FEATURE Our

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Experience Hilton Sandestin Beach through the eyes of our team members

Miles of sugarwhite sand. Sunshine that warms the soul. Emerald waves softly crashing at your feet. Picturesque sunsets painting the horizon.

These are the reasons people visit Hilton Sandestin Beach year in and year out. But there are many beaches and many more resorts; what truly separates us from the rest are the people. That’s our people. Our staff who make this place special. The people who visit and the memories they make are the cornerstones of the Hilton Sandestin Beach experience. From the front desk to your restaurant server, each service offered by the hotel is carefully curated with your enjoyment in mind. It’s the small gestures — remembering your breakfast order, bringing extra towels, knowing your special dates — that make Hilton Sandestin Beach an inviting atmosphere.

All this results in longlasting memories that we hope will keep you coming back, making memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.

No matter the request, our staff is eager to help you realize your dream visit.

THE WORKMANS

SUZETTE SHAW

BANQUETS/FOOD & BEVERAGE

Working in banquets, I get the chance to be a part of many events both on an intimate and large scale. The weddings we host here at Hilton Sandestin Beach are among my favorite moments at work. Being a small part of the most special day for these couples is the best feeling in the world. I really enjoy the multicultural weddings that take place here — there is so much that goes into putting them together; they become a full weekend of festivities. From the music to the beautiful place settings, colorful garments and detailed decorations, the attention to every intricate detail shines through. The most memorable and fulfilling role is working in banquets and being a part of these unforgettable moments.

BEN RODRIGUEZ

GENERAL MANAGER, SANDCASTLES RESTAURANT

During the summer months, you can imagine just how busy the breakfast shift becomes, and usually there is a wait for seating. It was in the middle of one of these busy mornings that I had the pleasure of meeting a very upbeat and excited guest named Cindy. Cindy was visiting with two of her friends on a “girl’s weekend getaway.” I had the opportunity to talk with her about her plans for the weekend (which of course included sun, fun and spa treatments) and through the course of our conversation, she politely informed me she would be referred to as “Princess THE WORKMANS Cindy” for the rest of her stay.

The next morning there was a wait to be seated in the restaurant. When Cindy approached the host stand to put her party’s name on our wait list, I greeted her with “Good morning, Miss Cindy.” She couldn’t believe I had remembered her name from the day before. Not only had I remembered her name, I made sure to put her on the wait list as “Princess, party of three.” When it came time to seat her, our staff announced “Princess party of three” for all the other guests to hear. She was so excited and entered the restaurant in a true, royal fashion.

Also unbeknownst to her was the crown we had made (out of a coffee filter) with festive lettering that proclaimed “Princess Cindy” on it. We presented the crown to the guest and placed it on her head. She proudly wore the crown through her entire breakfast, smiling from ear to ear. It was truly a fun way to honor and share in her fabulous weekend getaway. Cindy has since become a return guest, and I have the pleasure of serving her and her family during each visit.

A DREAM COME TRUE

Istayed at the Hilton Sandestin Beach recently for a ladies retreat and wanted to take my mother to the beach. She hasn’t been able to go to the beach in well over 30 years due to multiple sclerosis. I asked for a beach wheelchair, and CHRIS HERNANDEZ from beach services not only brought the wheelchair to us, he also wheeled Mom down to the beach, helped her stand in the water, and put her hand in the water so she could splash some on her face.

He stayed with us for about 30 minutes to make sure Mom was safe — even catching her once when she started to fall. Chris helped make my mom’s dream of going back to the beach come true. He wouldn’t accept a tip, saying he didn’t usually get to be a part of making someone’s dream come true — and that was enough for him. Looking back at the pictures I took, it appears that Chris, a perfect stranger to us, enjoyed this trip to the beach as much as my mom, sister and I did. I will treasure that day forever! BY EMILY KIRBY

CLAUDIA HOWELL-PHILLIPS

MASSAGE SUPERVISOR, SERENITY BY THE SEA SPA

I have met so many guests over the course of my 17-year career in massage services, but my favorites are the ones that return year after year to Hilton Sandestin Beach. There is a specific group that comes each year; they play hard, have few regrets and take just a little bit longer to recover. But they have become like friends to us — their kindness and sincerity drives me to want to go above and beyond for them during their visit. I am so thankful to everyone that continues to join us here at Serenity and Hilton Sandestin Beach, making every moment count.

KATIE WALLACE

BAREFOOT’S BEACHSIDE BAR & GRILL

Each year, I look forward to what we call the “100 Days of Summer” from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It’s during this time of year that I get to see many of our return guests — those that have become like friends over the years and those that continue to return with their growing families. Being a part of the Hilton Sandestin Beach family for over five years, I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of guests and hearing their stories. I love that I get to be at Barefoot’s each summer to continue being a part of creating memories with my favorite guests. CRYSTAL FLORES, PICNIX POOLSIDE MARKET

My favorite thing about working at Hilton Sandestin Beach is meeting families that become like friends to you. One summer while I was bartending at The Sandbar, a family of maybe six or seven came down from the pool deck and sat at the bar. It was their first day on property, and they were so friendly, laughing, smiling and ready to have a good time. Their happiness was infectious, and we thoroughly enjoyed our day, so much so that they stayed until the bar closed at sunset. The next morning, I went to open The Sandbar, and again they came down from the pool deck and promptly took their seats around the bar top. They were such a fun family. Eventually, I realized they had spent their entire week with me down at The Sandbar. It was such a good feeling to know that they enjoyed my service and hospitality enough to spend their entire visit at The Sandbar instead of in our other food and beverage outlets. I can’t wait to welcome them back again next summer.

ALEX LOVETT, BEACH SERVICES

This is my fifth summer working beach services at Hilton Sandestin Beach, but I’ve grown up knowing and loving this hotel. My father has worked here for over 20 years and is currently the Director of Events. During the summertime, there are a few groups that my dad works closely with that also do special beach sets during their stay. After the group meets, they come down to the beach, and we have the pleasure of ensuring they have the best beach day possible. It’s always great to see these guests year after year, and it’s a special experience to be able to work closely with my dad as well.

GABRIELLE GRIMALDI

PBX / GUEST SERVICES

As a PBX phone operator, I speak with many guests throughout the day, quickly responding to their immediate needs. There are the occasional instances where I have the opportunity to speak with a guest for longer than just a few moments. Usually this occurs before they arrive, when they have several questions about their upcoming stay. My favorite part about these conversations is being able to share knowledge about the local area, or when I can offer ideas about the best time of year they should plan to visit.

For instance, if a guest asks about the best time of year to watch a sunset, I like to tell them October or November are ideal as the area is quieter, the water is still fairly warm, and the sun sets directly over the Gulf. Other times they might ask me about the night-life scene, and I always recommend Rum Runners in The Village of Baytowne Wharf. The dueling pianos are an absolute favorite of many that visit the area, and the food and drinks are great as well.