March 12, 2013  |  traveldudes.org

We would like to introduce our Front Desk Team Member,
Philippe Dobranov.

A former member of Les Clefs D’Or Portugal (the highest concierge achievement possible), Philippe is the epitome of guest service satisfaction.  His extensive background in the hospitality industry includes over 12 years of customer service in hotels around the world.  Upon arriving in Canada, Philippe first worked at the Auberge Bonaparte in Montreal and then in 2008 he made the move to Vancouver and Moda Hotel. Multi-lingual, Philippe can greet guests in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Bulgarian.  A guest favorite, Phillipe is known to remember faces and names for years and his compassionate nature endears him to all.

We would like to introduce our Revenue Manager, Alan Jeon.

A proud Canadian of Korean heritage, Alan’s extraordinary work ethic stems from the values instilled by his loving parents. A graduate of the hotel administration program at Cornell University and the Educational Institute of American Hotel and Lodging Association, Alan’s skills have benefited many properties with his financial acumen and true love of the hospitality industry. Prior to his position of Revenue Manager at Moda Hotel, Alan gleaned valuable experience as director of operations, duty manager, guest services manager and general manager at a variety of properties in British Columbia.  During his career he has been consistently been awarded with numerous marketing and achievement awards.

A true seeker of knowledge, Alan has many avid interests. He holds a 2^nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, has exhibited in many photography shows, and is currently completing wine fundamental courses from the International Sommelier Guild. And he finds time to be a wonderful father and husband to his young family!

Alan’s passion for the hospitality industry and the inherent desire to assist, serve and create the best possible guest experience is reflected in the following quote: “My childhood dream was to become a surgeon. I studied both arts and sciences and truly enjoyed them. I found out that the word “Hospital” and “Hospitality” share the same Latin word “Hospes” which means a “host” or a “guest.” The word hospital simply means a place of hospitality – so I guess I am not so far away from my childhood dream.”

At The Moda Hotel

 Here at the Moda we pride ourselves in going above and beyond to provide excellent experiences to all of our guests. Like anyone, we also love getting recognized for it! So we’re honored to have just received a 2012 Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor.

One thing that makes our job easy in providing great travel experiences at Moda Hotel is our central location in the heart of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, and all the wonderful things you can enjoy close by.

Around Vancouver

When most people think of Vancouver, they think of 2 things..the Canucks and rain. What most visitors to our beautiful city don’t know is that we actually have AMAZING summers..when they eventually show up. Some years it takes a little longer than others. However when summer finally hits, there’s no better place to be soaking up the rays than in Vancouver, and enjoying everything this city has to offer. Here are some ways to spend your time in Vancouver (and hopefully with us) over the next few months:

1) Seawall

We Vancouverites love to stay active, and on hot summer day there’s no better place to do so than the Seawall going through English Bay and Stanley Park. Whether you’re running, walking, blading, or biking – the Seawall is the perfect place to get some exercise  and enjoy some incredible scenery- all while basking in the sun.

2) Kits Beach

Named the 3rd sexiest beach in North America, Kits is the place to go in Vancouver if you’re looking for some serious eye-candy. If you want to fit in with the locals, head down with a yoga mat, grab an Iced Venti Soy Sugar Free Vanilla Latte, and spend the day playing beach volleyball and lounging against the logs. If you’re all beached-out, there are tons of local boutiques, spas, bars and cafes to spend your time in the neighborhood.

3) Grouse Mountain

If you want to get away from the water and see Vancouver from above, head up to Grouse Mountain to experience BC’s wilderness at its finest. With the Wildlife refuge, Ziplines, Skyride, and more – you won’t be at a loss for ways to spend your day. If you’re feeling ambitious, try the Grouse Grind – the ultimate uphill climb that Vancouverites take on every year. For more information visit http://www.grousemountain.com/#activities-guide

4) Outdoor Movies

Over the recent years, more and more outdoor movies have been popping up all over the Lower Mainland in the summer. From classics (like Grease and Top Gun) to new releases, people love sitting in a park, enjoying a picnic, and watching their favorite films on the big screen. Here’s a list of all the outdoor movies in the lower mainland scheduled for 2012, from Vancouver blogger Vancity Buzz: http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2012/05/free-outdoor-movies-vancouver-2012-burnaby-stanley-park-nat-bailey-surrey-langley-delta-richmond-new-westminster/

5) Granville Island

Always a top destination for tourists and locals alike, Granville Island is an ideal spot for eating, drinking, shopping, and checking out local art and theater. Whether you grab fresh cheese, fruit, seafood or baked goods from the market to have a picnic on the grass, spend your time wandering through local artisans goods, Granville Island is a place you could get happily lost in for days. http://www.granvilleisland.com/

We could go on endlessly about things to do and see in Vancouver – like the remarkable variety of great places to eat and drink, or the amazing nightlife! But better yet, we encourage you to come visit us and find out firsthand!  We would love to hear about what you did and loved about our great city!  We hope to see you soon at Moda Hotel.