What makes a hotel perfect? If it’s located on Waikiki Beach, or Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park, then the answer may be the old real estate adage of “location, location, location.” But not every traveler seeks to book a hotel located at the most breathtaking spot on earth, or in the center of the action in a cultural hotspot.

The reality for just about every traveler is that the perfect hotel will be located right where they need it to be. And throughout the stay, the property and its staff will exceed the guest’s every expectation.

One such hotel is located right here in Norwood. The Four Points By Sheraton Norwood Hotel and Conference Center on Route 1 has just been named by Marriott Select Brands as its North American Hotel of the Year.

The award was announced as part of the annual Marriott Select Brands Awards (MSB Awards), which recognizes and celebrates the “best of the best” across Marriott’s family of global hospitality brands.

The Marriott Select Brands Awards program shines a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of hotel teams and individuals at MSB hotels across the globe.  The awards honor top performers annually for their dedication to excellence. Evaluation criteria include guest satisfaction, facility maintenance and upkeep, room cleanliness, food and beverage quality, staff service across the property and unsolicited appreciation from Marriott’s top tier guests.

In announcing this year’s North American Hotel of the Year, Chris Canizaro, Four Points Global Brand Leader, pointed out that the Norwood hotel, along with its One Bistro restaurant and Tiffany Ballroom “is committed to providing a memorable customer service experience at every interaction with guests.”

He went on to say that the award selection committee saw clearly that the property’s “associates are passionate and proud of the work they do and find a way to go above and beyond to ensure customers are happy.”

This success and recognition did not happen by accident. The leadership team at Four Points Norwood, led by General Manager Shoumala Ghosh, takes a hands-on approach, leading by example, and working collaboratively and inclusively to ensure success on behalf of all guests. Under Ghosh’s leadership, strategic planning is an ongoing process designed to ensure the hotel and staff are engaged, attentive, and always operating at their highest level.

All associates strive to provide a “home away from home” experience for their guests and can execute on this because they spend time building relationships with guests. From the restaurant staff having a local regular’s drink waiting when they seem them approach, to the front desk team greeting familiar faces by name, to the housekeeping team preparing a room the preferred way when they see the arrivals list, to the banquet staff adding their personal touch for returning clients, to the sales staff nurturing and strengthening client relationships, putting and keeping the guest first is just second nature at Four Points Norwood. 

“It was abundantly clear to the judges that everyone in the hotel works together as a team to achieve common, shared goals, and to do whatever is needed to take care of all guests,” said Ghosh when asked about the hotel’s latest accolade. “That’s because while not every trip is for pleasure, every trip should be pleasurable.”