Coast Sundance Lodge three-peat employee award

Going for gold: James Bingham poses with Pia Collins, Coast Hotels’ Executive Director of People and Culture. – Photo Submitted

Sun Peaks’ Coast Sundance Lodge beat out over 35 other North American Coast hotels for ‘Best Property’ in their annual Ambassador Statistics Index for the third consecutive year.

James Bingham, hotel manager, accepted the award at the Coast Hotels’ Annual General Meeting held in Portland in January.

“We received a score of 99 out of 100 this year,” he said. “Next year we’re shooting for 100.”

Numbers are tallied from surveys completed by hotel staff, measuring fields such as employee engagement, compensation and environment.

‘It’s about more than just happy staff,” said Bingham. “The happier the staff, it feeds through to the guest experience.”

The Sundance Lodge employs approximately 20 people and focuses on hiring long-term, local staff along with some seasonal employees.

“We try to hire people with the right attitudes. Skills can be learned,” said Bingham. “We want someone who is excited to be here and ready to learn.”

In regards to the three-peat, Bingham said it’s one of the accomplishments he’s most proud of during his three years with the hotel.

“We aim to be one of the best employers in Sun Peaks,” he said.