Sparkle Up Event at Fifty Hotel & Suites!
Archive of ‘Fifty NYC’ category
Lets Hit The Runway!
categories: Affinia Hotel Collection, Fifty NYC by Tiffany James
After completing our elevator modernization project, the Fifty management team refreshed our employee entrance to welcome our Fifty NYC superstars. The team had a blast walking the red carpet, taking photos, and enjoying a nice welcome breakfast.
Valentine’s at Social Sips – Fifty NYC
categories: Fifty NYC by ryorio
Socials Sips at the Fifty NYC for Valentine’s Day was anything buy ordinary! The team celebrated with a Special Valentine’s Day Social Sips where the guests enjoyed sipping wine with delicious treats from Baked by Melissa, shared smiles, and enjoyed the atmosphere as love was in the air.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Fifty NYC!
Congratulations to the Denihan 2017 Big Apple Stars Nominees!
categories: Events, Fifty NYC, Gardens NYC, James Hotels, Recognition, Shelburne NYC, The James New York by ryorio
Full Time Concierge
Joseph Colon – Gardens NYC
Gina Bianco – The Benjamin
Full Time Door Person
Michael Sicinski – Gardens NYC
Rome Jefferson – Fifty NYC
Greg Rieke – Surrey Hotel
Miguel Ureta – The James New York – NoMad
Jimmy Healy – The James New York – Soho
Angelo Roa – The Benjamin
Full Time Hourly with Guest Contact
Frank Boateng – Gardens NYC
Kristy Rosado – Fifty NYC
Michelle Manon – Shelburne NYC
Yuko Urakami – Surry Hotel
Philip Huie– The James New York – NoMad
Brian Morr – The James New York – Soho
Stephanie Arscott – The Benjamin
Full Time Hourly without Guest Contact
Henry Cabrera – Gardens NYC
Vladimir Shteynberg – Fifty NYC
Yevsey Katsnelson – Shelburne NYC
Festus Walker– The James New York – NoMad
Brian Stanton – The James New York – Soho
Abu Shardow – The Benjamin
Full Time Room Attendant
Teresa Kardaszewska – Gardens NYC
Khamawattie Prashad – Fifty NYC
Visa Nitu – Shelburne NYC
Rosa Corona – Surrey Hotel
Mireille Joseph– The James New York – NoMad
Celia Garcia – The James New York – Soho
Martha Felipe – The Benjamin
Managerial below GM
Elvira Kim – Gardens NYC
Angela Castro – Fifty NYC
Didier Ambroise – Shelburne NYC
Emmanuel Asa-Ntow – The James New York – NoMad
Elmo Wells – – The James New York – Soho
Slavka Kmec – The Benjamin
National Customer Service Week
categories: Fifty NYC, Recognition by Kelly Amador
The Fifty team celebrated National Customer Service Week with the front of the house team this week. Our Guest Service Agents, Front Desk Managers, Bell, and Security team had a chance to enjoy yummy breakfasts treats, relaxing massages and a lunch at a nearby restaurant.
FIFTY NYC Managers’ Appreciation Toast
categories: Fifty NYC, Recognition by Gwen Pe Benito
FIFTY NYC’s Executive Team recognized its operations management team with a nice toast and some delectable sweets! This was to express their gratitude and appreciation for the team’s hard work, dedication and commitment to the hotel on a daily basis especially during the recent Goldman Sachs check-in earlier this month. THANK YOU and cheers to Angela Castro, Bennie Brito, Carmel O’Connor, Cristina Trusu, Franz Jackson, Maxine Newby, Ruth Pino and Veronica Morales! 🙂
FIFTY NYC Summer Outing 2017
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
The FIFTY NYC team had their annual Summer Outing at the Bierhaus NYC restaurant on Wednesday, July 12th. It was an afternoon of fun, delicious German food, raffles and lots of prizes won by team members! Thank you to the Executive Team for planning and organizing an event that was enjoyed by everyone. 🙂
FIFTY NYC’s Gloria Brown and her thirty years of exceptional service!
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
On her thirtieth year with Denihan, our very own Gloria Brown continues to deliver outstanding and personalized service to our guests. She makes first-time guests feel welcomed and at home at FIFTY NYC that they make it a point to stop by at the Front Desk before they leave just to thank her. And, over the years, she has developed special connections with a lot of our guests that has now made them frequent guests of FIFTY NYC!
Thank you, Gloria for your loyalty and for taking care of our guests. You are a true asset to the team! 🙂
World-class service from FIFTY NYC Bell/Doormen
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
The FIFTY NYC team is proud to share this wonderful guest review:
***A big THANK YOU to our Bell/Door staff who consistently provide exemplary service for our guests! We are truly proud to have you on the team!***
Dear Mr. Gehlich,
We stayed from April 18th to April 28th in your hotel for the second time after 2013 and I would like to take a minute to let you know about our impressions.
I really have to congratulate you for your outstanding doormen. All of them were unbelievably polite and they somehow were able to make this stay even more unforgettable to us. I would love to make it more concrete, but unfortunately I only know one name which is Rome. To be honest, you can be proud to have such an employee for welcoming your guests. “Welcome home!” is what he always said when we returned from an exhausting walk through the city and so we always felt like home when we came back. There are three other gentlemen I would like to mention, but I only can describe them. One is a really nice guy from Togo and is shown on the attached picture together with my wife and Rome. And there is a nice man who took care of our luggage upon departure, he is a little bit older, not very tall and he lives for 40 years in NYC. (That is what he told us, and I hope you can identify him….) And last but not least, the doorman who is a Fan of Real Madrid (soccer), and I think his name sounded a little bit Spanish (but to be honest, I am not sure). All these gentlemen really enhanced our stay.
Please be so kind and forward our cordially greetings and thanks to all mentioned colleagues.
Best regards from Germany.
Hanno & Antje Jäger-Hegglin
Cinco de Mayo at FIFTY NYC
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
The FIFTY NYC team celebrated Cinco de Mayo in the festively decorated employee cafeteria where they enjoyed some snacks and each other’s company. It was an afternoon of fun for all!
Another memorable stay at FIFTY NYC
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
A mother (with her three sons) from Israel who recently stayed at FIFTY NYC sent Gloria this picture thanking her for her hospitality and most of all, for accommodating her requests during their stay. She also stated they had such a great stay that she and her sons will definitely return to FIFTY NYC the next time they visit New York.
Thank you Gloria for taking care of these guests and ensuring they had the most comfortable stay. Keep up the great work! 🙂
Wine Tasting at FIFTY NYC
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
FIFTY NYC and Indaba Wines hosted a special complimentary wine tasting at The Den on Thursday evening, April 6th, from 5pm until 6:30pm. Our guests enjoyed an array of red and white wines from the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa with some cheese and crackers and slices of fruits. Guests were offered exclusive deals and special offers by Indaba Wines.
Junior guests celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at FIFTY NYC
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
FIFTY NYC’s Wine Hour Super Bowl Edition
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
Our guests enjoyed the Super Bowl edition of Wine Hour in the football theme decorated Club Room last Sunday no matter which team they were rooting for to win. The upgraded snacks were appreciated while they sipped their Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc and watching the game on TV.
Junior guests celebrate birthdays at FIFTY NYC!
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
Austin and Cam from Nashville, Tennessee had the surprise of their lives when their parents decided to take them on a birthday trip to New York City. To top it off, they were greeted by Gloria at the Front Desk with a birthday hug and their favorite cupcakes with sprinkles on top! Thank you, Gloria for making Austin and Cam’s birthdays extra special. 🙂 
The Benjamin & FIFTY NYC Holiday Party 2016
categories: Fifty NYC, The Benjamin by Gwen Pe Benito
FIFTY NYC and The Benjamin had their annual holiday party yesterday, December 21st. The party was held on the entire second floor of The Benjamin which was decorated to reflect a Winter Wonderland ambience. Staff from both properties enjoyed a delicious dinner catered by our own Executive Chef Rezart and his Culinary team. There were a lot of prizes won by staff from each hotel including two 40” Smart TVs and the grand prize, a two-night stay (to include a sumptuous brunch!) at Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, a luxury property in Connecticut. To top it all off, our DJ for the night played great music and there was dancing…and lots of it!
Happy Holidays from The Benjamin and FIFTY NYC! 🙂
Thanksgiving at FIFTY NYC
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
The team at FIFTY NYC celebrated Thanksgiving with a luncheon/potluck. The staff showed off their excellent home-cooking skills and brought in a variety of their own unique, special holiday dishes for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to event organizers, Miss Teela Nakashian and Ms. Lupe Olmos-Galasso, we had deliciously prepared Thanksgiving staples as well. With good food along with great company, this was a nice way for the team to get together and celebrate the beginning of the holiday season 2016!
FIFTY NYC team, we are thankful for you every day – your efforts and dedication to our hotel are greatly appreciated! 🙂
2016 Big Apple Stars Nominees
categories: Dumont NYC, Events, Fifty NYC, Gardens NYC, Manhattan NYC, Recognition, Shelburne NYC, The Benjamin, The James New York by ryorio
Congratulations to the Denihan 2016 Big Apple Stars Nominees!
Full-Time Door Concierge
Gina Bianco – The Benjamin
Purnima Tiwari – Shelburne NYC
Full-Time Door Person
Canton Hago – The Benjamin
Manuel Pitre – Carlton Hotel
Carlos Santos – Dumont NYC
Samuel Asfaw – Fifty NYC
Salman Khalil – Gardens NYC
Marceau Duplan – Manhattan NYC
Dennis Harrow – Shelburne NYC
Full-Time Hourly w/ Guest Contact
Pronab Dutta – The Benjamin
Hector Rivera – The Carlton Hotel
Kevin Mejia – Dumont NYC
Terrance Carpenter – Fifty NYC
Christopher Freeman – Gardens NYC
Julio Quijada – The James NY **Finalist**
Kodjo Dom Tete Adayi – Manhattan NYC
Richard Jimenez – Shelburne NYC
Full-Time Room Attendant
Paola Sandy – The Benjamin
Genive Bristol – The Carlton Hotel
Marie Pierre – Dumont NYC
Angela Capellan – Fifty NYC
Anna Walendziuk – Gardens NYC
Maria Torres – The James NY
Danuta Partyka – Manhattan NYC
Bibi Rasheed – Shelburne NYC
Full-Time Hourly w/o Guest Contact
Braulio De Jesus – The Benjamin
Ebenzer Owusu – The Carlton Hotel
Thumptan Sherab – Dumont NYC
Igor Vasko – Fifty NYC
Anokye Wilson – Gardens NYC
Edwin Santis – The James NY
Adam Petricki – Manhattan NYC
Avudulla Shehu – Shelburne NYC
Manager Below General Manager
Andria Vlahos – The Benjamin
Mariorara Sfera – The Carlton Hotel
Amy Betances – Dumont NYC **Finalist**
Ruth Pino – Fifty NYC
Hazel Minaya – The James NY
Trang Phan – Manhattan NYC
FIFTY NYC’s Wine Hour Halloween Edition
categories: Fifty NYC by Gwen Pe Benito
Our Executive Office Manager, Miss Teela Nakashian incorporated Halloween into the evening’s Wine Hour on Monday, October 31st. Our guests were impressed by the spooktacularly decorated club lounge while they sipped their cabernets and chardonnays (pink lemonade with floating gummy eye balls for the kids!). The usual snacks were upgraded with candy corn, gummy skulls and other gummy body parts! This special edition of Wine Hour were hosted by our warm and friendly staff in their cutest Halloween costumes. 🙂
THANK YOU Fifty NYC Housekeeping Team!
As 2016 Housekeeping Week comes to a close the team enjoyed some delicious Cuban food for lunch on Thursday and frozen treats Friday afternoon.
To our dear Fifty NYC Housekeeping Team – your efforts, dedication and commitment to our hotel are truly appreciated not just this week, but EVERY week and EACH AND EVERY DAY! Keep up the great work. 🙂
Housekeeping Week at Fifty NYC
Fifty NYC Management Team has planned a week of VIP treatment for our wonderful Housekeeping Team!
We kicked off the week with a healthy breakfast followed by a hot breakfast buffet on the second day. Our Director of Rooms, Ms. Lupe Olmos-Galasso along with our new Director of Housekeeping, Mr. Rajesh Munna, showed off their pancake-making skills – they were a big hit 🙂 Miss Teela Nakashian of the Executive Office truly engaged our associates with fun games which winners won prizes such as Bluetooth and gift cards. Day 3, the team will enjoy a delicious lunch buffet. The fun continuous at Fifty NYC!
Fifty NYC beach-theme Summer Outing
On Wednesday, August 3rd, Fifty NYC hosted their Employee Summer Outing on the second floor at Pig N Whistle. The private room which included an airy balcony was beautifully decorated with beach balls, palm tree-shaped balloons and colorful strings of lanterns. Team members were greeted with a lei as they entered the room to enjoy the music, a delicious dinner buffet and drinks of their choice from the bar. The gathering concluded with everyone dancing the night away!
Thank you to Miss Teela Nakashian for organizing such a fun event!
Greetings from Massachusetts
On June 2nd, Avery and family came to Fifty NYC to celebrate her 10th Birthday! Gloria and the staff went above and beyond to ensure Avery’s birthday was a memorable experience! Thank you to Gloria and the Front Desk Team for making Avery’s birthday a special one!
Associate Recognition Celebration
Each month, Fifty NYC hosts a celebration highlighting one associate per department who received the highest number of I Care Cards. The top associates have a chance to spin the wheel for an additional prize.
The top associates for the month of April were
Gloria Brown, Guest Service Agent
Roberto Brito, Maintenance
Barbara Skorka , Housekeeping
Celebrating our Guests at Fifty NYC
On St. Patty’s Day, Kerri Stephanie and Lynn from South Carolina came to Fifty NYC to celebrate Kerri’s Birthday. As always, Gloria goes above and beyond to take care of the guests and during this experience she went out bought a cake and a birthday card for a memorable birthday!
Fifty NYC: Illuminate the Creative Spirit
Fifty NYC
Illuminate the Creative Spirit
This winter, take a cue from the organic wildness of nature and clear your mind for fresh thinking in 2015. With natural, earthy touches reminiscent of the woods, we’ve decked the halls at the Fifty NYC with holiday flora and fauna. It’s a fresh place to think, work, relax with a glass of wine…and of course, sleep, as sugarplums dance in your head.
This winter, take a cue from the organic wildness of nature and clear your mind for fresh thinking in 2015. With natural, earthy touches reminiscent of the woods, we’ve decked the halls at the Fifty NYC with holiday flora and fauna. It’s a fresh place to think, work, relax with a glass of wine…and of course, sleep, as sugarplums dance in your head.
Holiday Photography by Interiors & Sources
Check out the rest of the decor here!
Long Live Affinia Hotel Collection
categories: Affinia Hotel Collection, Dumont NYC, Fifty NYC, Gardens NYC, Liaison Capitol Hill DC, Manhattan NYC, Shelburne NYC by cassiesaldutti
Posted on behalf of Christian Betheuil
Step by step, experience by experience, the Affinia properties are changing from the inside out. A new Collection flag here, a new property specific key card there, they are starting to embrace their individuality and place within the Collection.
In this new chapter, Affinia is taking a step back to let the property be the center of attention. In technical terms, we are transitioning from a Brand model to a Collection model. Over the summer, Affinia hotels
left behind their brand look without losing the Affinia soul – a great bed, a warm, fully appointed hotel room, a friendly staff.
While the transition is subtle, each of the small steps we take add up. Different messaging, property specific colors, and new creative on key cards all add up to bring the customer experience to the next level. This week, new DND signs have started to appear at select properties. We trust you to find and discover those touches. Similar to an impressionist painting (yes, we take ourselves seriously!), where considering a touch of paint by itself does not make sense, while taking a step back, you realize what you are looking at. The properties are building their little touches, so a whole new picture appears. Stay tuned for more communication on this evolution, especially if you are at one of the Affinia properties.
Long Live the Affinia Hotel Collection.
Hope For Hines
categories: an Affinia Hotel, Fifty NYC by jackieviolette
Meet Hines… he is a cancer patient at Sloan Kettering who has stayed with us many times and has become a member of the Affinia 50 Family.
During his visit last weekend we simply could not resist making it a memorable experience for him and so we put together a little surprise for him and his family.
Be sure to check out the Facebook post for more pictures of this adorable little guy and see the family’s full commentary on how appreciative they and little Hines were: https://www.facebook.com/Hopeforhines
DNA helps Denihan Associates get in the 4th of July spirit!
categories: Affinia Hotel Collection, Dumont NYC, Events, Fifty NYC, Gardens NYC, Manhattan NYC, Shelburne NYC, Teamwork, The Benjamin, The Franklin, The Mansfield, The Surrey by mirela2013
This year again, with the help of Denihan Network Advocates, Denihan associates got in the celebratory spirit with delivered goody bags filled with U.S. flag pins and patriotic themed sweet treats including I<3 USA lollipops, cotton candy and patriotic striped mints. As you can see, everyone loved the treats and proudly displayed their patriotic pride with the flags.
In order to make this event a huge hit, a lot of people came together to make it happen – a few of them deserving very special thanks: Matt Norman-thank you, thank you for such seamless support and making this possible; Cindy Johnson-as always, she just makes things happen J; Jackie Elbaidouri-my go-to lady with her creative ideas and get-it-done spirit; and of course, Chrissy Denihan-for endlessly supporting DNA and all of our efforts! Thank you to our entire DNA team and property HRD’s who continually volunteer their time and efforts to keep our prized Denihan culture alive!
Ozzing @ A50
Yesterday the entire management team at Affinia 50 took a stroll down The Yellow Brick Road and found themselves in The Land of Oz!
The training was facilitated by Jackie Violette (HR Director), Lupe Olmos-Galasso (Director of Rooms), Linda Mo (Director of Housekeeping) and Danielle Lim (Office Manager).
The team had the opportunity to learn The Oz Principle, to brainstorm ways to be personally accountable, and to finally learn what the heck the Executive Team means when we toss around the terms “above the line” and “below the line” in our meetings!
Lots To Be Thankful For @ Affinia 50
categories: Fifty NYC by jackieviolette
This year the Affinia 50 has a tremendous amount to be thankful for, and what better way to say that than with a team pot luck Thanksgiving luncheon!
In addition to our phenomenal team doing what they do best- always providing the most amazing guest experiences- we are also thankful to finally be in the home stretch of our full redesign! In fact, we just got the first glimpse of our brand new lobby which was finally unveiled today! (stop by for a quick peek!)
A50 Experiences Sneak Peek of the NEW Club Room
categories: Fifty NYC by jackieviolette
This week we premiered the NEW Club Room to the A50 Associates before we even let our guests take a look, celebrating our achievements and hard work with a champagne toast and cake! GM Brian Gehlich took us on a stroll down Memory Lane reviewing photos of the “Old A50” and then WOWing the team with photos of the fully redesigned “NEW A50”. It was amazing to see the transformation of our Guest Rooms, the Lobby and the Club Room and to see how far we have come in the last 9 months!
To date The A50 team has brought back over 200 brand new guest rooms with just a few more to come, we have completed phase one of our Lobby renovation with the second phase set to open next month, and our new Club Room will be officially opening to our guests this evening during Wine Hour.
Another Affinia 50 Rockstar!
categories: Fifty NYC by jackieviolette
If you know anyone traveling to NYC for a special birthday, send them to Gloria at the A50 and you can be sure they will receive the royal treatment!
Recently, a 14 year old Natalia checked in at the A50 to celebrate her birthday. Thanks to Gloria’s thoughtfulness and passion for pleasing, Natalia checked out as one super happy 15 year old!
Check out the note she left for Gloria and a photo that she snapped on her way out!
Customer Service is not a department, it’s everyone’s job…
And yesterday Yvette Stores, a GSA at the A50, epitomized that statement! Rather than allowing her guests to wait around for the next available doorman on a hectic Saturday morning, Yvette came out from behind the desk and took to the streets to hail a cab!
Let’s all take a cue from Yvette and remember that customer service really is all of our jobs!
A50 Finishes Off Housekeeping Week With A Sweet Treat!
categories: Fifty NYC, International Housekeeping Week by jackieviolette
After a week long celebration jam-packed with food and fun to recognize some of the hardest working housekeepers in the city, The Affinia 50 was all smiles as they wrapped up the week with an ice cream party on Friday afternoon!
A sweet start to a week-long HotSOS Training
categories: Dumont NYC, Events, Fifty NYC, Gardens NYC, James Hotels, Learning, Manhattan NYC, Shelburne NYC, The Benjamin, The Surrey by mirela2013
Monday, 8/26, was the first day of an intense five-day HotSOS training program for many department heads across the Denihan portfolio at the Corporate office. While learning about data configuration, database set up, reports modules, and responder devices sounds interesting (and it is); it somehow seemed like the first day of school for many of us-having to absorb a lot of information and quickly! But during our lunch break, Rene Roman, Director of Rooms at the Surrey Hotel really lightened the mood in the Learning Center by surprising Jordan Howell, Assistant Director of Front Office Operation at the Surrey Hotel as well, with a fresh cheesecake for HIS BIRTHDAY! Yes, it was Jordan’s birthday and he was attending HotSOS training. One would say that’s dedication-but what’s even more, the next day, Jordan was in class bright and early – way before 9am! Now that’s true dedication! And thanks to Rene for the cheesecake – as you can see we all enjoyed a slice-and continued on with our studies!
And once again – Wishing Jordan a Very Happy Birthday!
A50 Associate Dinner Cruise
Last night the Affinia 50 associates enjoyed dinner, dancing, drinks and spectacular views of the Manhattan and New Jersey skyline onboard the Spirit of New York.
We were driven in style to Pier 61 in Chelsea Piers on a Yellow School Bus. Upon boarding drinks were immediate followed by a fabulous meal with a sweet delicious dessert. We then partied the night away to great music…we even line danced to the Cupid Shuffle and The Wobble.
What a fantastic night out!
Gloria Brown & Julia
categories: Fifty NYC by annettesantos
Meet Julia!
Julia and her family were guests at the Affinia 50 in July. Upon departure Julia wanted to take a picture with Gloria Brown whom she befriended during her stay. When Julia and her mom returned to their home in Spain, they sent an email to Gloria along with this photo and a message that read:
Hello Gloria, how are you?
We had a very good stay at your hotel, you were all very friendly and kind to us. But you specially, Gloria. You are very warm and welcoming.
Kind regards.
Love
Elisa
Thank you Gloria for always making our guests feel so extra special.
A50 Tackles Stress
categories: Fifty NYC, Innovation by annettesantos
With the Affinia 50 renovation in full swing the A50 management team has been doing their best to deal with construction noise and to ensure our guests are having an enjoyable stay in the midst of our transformation. With walls springing up to conceal construction work and offices being moved this can cause a disruption on our daily routine and therefore can cause some sort of stress.
So we decided to tackle the beast known as STRESS.
On Thursday, June 13th we sat down and discussed what triggers stress and what we as a team can do to minimize work related stress. At the end of the session we left knowing that each of us deals with stress differently and with the art of communication we can chop away the amount of stress that we create for ourselves.
