The Lovely People of Last Word Constantia

Not long ago, Nicky Coenen, our Group General Manager, took time out to catch up with Sam at Last Word Constantia, our botanically inspired hotel on a sparkling autumn morning.

‍NC: Hello, Sam. It's terrific to see your smiling face again. For the benefit of our readers, please share with us how long you have been working at Last Word Constantia. SP: Thanks, Nicky. Good to see you too! I joined the group in 2004, and this has been a learning curve for me and educational, so to say. The recent announcement by our president that inbound travellers no longer need to provide a negative PCR test to enter South Africa gives us an extra reason to smile today. Day, made!

‍NC: We couldn't be happier to have you as part of the team, Sam. What is your favourite part of the day at Last Word Constantia? SP: I am a morning person, so I like doing the most pressing issues for the day before midday; this is when I tick all the boxes on my to-do list.

‍NC: Yes, the early bird catches the worm! Sam, have you ever had any guests who have not wanted to check out? SP: Yes, many of them. We had a booking from a lady who recently discovered Last Word Constantia and stayed with us for twenty-eight nights. When they were about to check out, she said that their days went so fast while staying at The Last Word Constantia, and they could not believe they were already checking out. We get that a lot.

‍NC: What is your best insider tip for any guest coming to stay? SP: So, here at Last Word, we are taking our guests by the hand, leading them to discover more what it means to experience the Last Word affair. We make sure that our guests know about our location and the telephone numbers to call when they need help with anything on arrival.

‍NC: What does 'Beyond Boutique' mean to you and your team? SP: It means that I have detailed information ahead of guests' arrival, such as personal preferences, dietary requirements and so on, to enhance their stay. I can anticipate guests' needs before they even ask. From the team's side, we are there for them; our guests feel our collective care. As soon as our guests arrive at our hotel, they should be able to relax, unwind and enjoy it to the fullest while we make their stay memorable. We have managed to do this as most of our guests are return guests and keep returning.