Rachel Laborde provides humble hospitality at Murray Heights Hotel

She is short in stature, but her big, beaming smile and engaging personality fill up the room as she welcomes you to Murray Heights Hotel.

SVG’s Best Waitress Rachel Laborde is much more than a waitress. She is a very experienced all-rounder in the hospitality industry. At Murray Heights, where she has been employed for almost 10 years, she also manages the reception office and takes care of various administrative duties for the hotel, as well as other businesses operated by her boss. However, it is her stellar service as a waitress that has captured the attention of those who selected her for the Best of SVG 2017 award.

Laborde is a dedicated worker who enjoys interacting with the people she meets, and this has not gone unnoticed, based on the feedback she has been getting.

“I have a passion for my job. I like what I am doing. Every day a person would come and say I like your smile, I like how you are professional… When you think that you not moving up, God brings you up, in spite of everything you might be going through. It’s not easy; it’s very challenging these days, and yet still God keeps you in a calmness, with inner peace to perform your duty at the best of your ability.”

She began her career in hospitality as an employee at Paradise Inn, where the operator Shirley Layne introduced her to the basics of waitressing. A quick study, she excelled at her work, successfully pursued certification, and remained employed at Paradise Inn for many years until, according to her, the owner fell ill and the hotel’s management changed. During this transitional period, she went abroad, and shortly after she returned, started working at Murray Heights, which she describes as a good environment, where she has been able to expand on her professional knowledge and experience. 

“I get to meet different people, I get to interact and widen my knowledge. Sometimes, somebody might come to you and explain to you different things that they might have a wider knowledge of, and you learn from that. Every day you learn something new.” 

For her though, fulfillment comes not only from what she gets out of her job, but also from what she puts into it. “Sometimes a person might look sad; you could talk to them and they feel good after a while because of what you speaking to them with… positive things.” The lasting impression she makes on the people she meets occasionally results in the development of extended relationships. “They have me on WhatsApp and they will check on me now and then, and they will send surprises, little gifts if they know someone is coming, which I thank God for,” Laborde said of some of her clients.

Notwithstanding her professional service and passion for her work, Laborde was surprised when she received news of the award. But she is happy about the achievement and expressed gratitude to God and to everyone who made it possible.

“We have so many people coming here to have meetings sometimes. You don’t know who’s watching you… God works in mysterious ways. I always believe when you come to work, put your best foot forward to accomplish a good day’s work. One thing I believe, once you’re a humble person, God always bring you out in whatever way he can.”