After a lifetime in hospitality, one dinner conversation with our newest members reaffirmed the principles that define truly remarkable service — and the standard Amy and I have set for THE SIXTY TWO™ Society.
Amy and I were enjoying dinner in Vail this past week with several of our newest members—accomplished professionals whose careers and travels have taken them to many of the world’s finest hotels and restaurants.
Hospitality has been my life’s work and greatest professional passion, so I always enjoy hearing how others describe the experiences that have stayed with them over the years. At one point during dinner, I asked a simple question.
“In all of your travels, what, in your mind, defines truly remarkable hospitality?”
The conversation that followed was fascinating—not because it introduced entirely new ideas, but because it reinforced many of the same principles I’ve come to believe after a lifetime in hospitality.
Although everyone around the table had different experiences and favorite destinations, their observations consistently centered around one common theme.
The finest hospitality isn’t measured by the mechanics of service. It’s measured by how it makes the guest feel.
As we continued talking, several characteristics surfaced time and time again.
Hospitality That Feels Personal
The most memorable experiences are never scripted.
They’re thoughtfully personalized.
Guests appreciate when a restaurant remembers a favorite table, a preferred bottle of wine, a special anniversary, a favorite cut of steak, or even something as simple as the pace at which they enjoy an evening. Those seemingly small details communicate something much larger.
We’re sincerely happy you’re here.
And we’ll do everything we can to make you want to come back.
Anticipating Rather Than Reacting
The very best hospitality professionals don’t simply respond to requests.
They anticipate them.
Whether it’s refreshing a wine glass before it’s empty, adjusting the pace of dinner without being asked, or recognizing that a guest may appreciate a quieter table. Remarkable hospitality often happens before the guest ever realizes it was needed.
Authentic Human Connection
Technology certainly has its place.
Hospitality, however, remains deeply personal.
The restaurants we remember aren’t remembered because someone followed a script.
They’re remembered because someone made us feel comfortable, welcomed, understood, and genuinely appreciated.
That’s the standard Amy and I have set for ourselves at THE SIXTY TWO™ Society.
Effortless Execution
Perhaps my favorite observation from the evening was this:
The best hospitality feels effortless.
Of course, those of us who have dedicated our lives to this profession know there is nothing effortless about it.
Extraordinary hospitality requires extraordinary preparation.
It demands communication, teamwork, attention to detail, and hundreds of thoughtful decisions happening quietly behind the scenes.
The guest simply enjoys the moment.
And that’s exactly the point.
That conversation reaffirmed something I’ve believed throughout my career.
Remarkable hospitality isn’t about being noticed.
It’s about making people feel valued, comfortable, and sincerely cared for.
That’s the philosophy Amy and I have carried into every decision behind THE SIXTY TWO™ Society.
If, years from now, our members remember how they felt more than what they ordered, we’ll know we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.
Cheers,
Brad Kaemmer
Founder / Owner THE SIXTY TWO™ Society Vail