As you know, we like to shine a spotlight on some of our amazing staff. We thought you’d like to get to know the people behind our brand a little better. They are the heart of our hotel and why we achieve incredible accolades and high Trip Advisor ratings. We interviewed Graham Thomas, the new General Manager at the Avenue Inn and Spa, to continue with our series. Here’s the inside scoop!
On the Job
When did you start working at The Avenue hotel and what attracted you to the position?
GT: My first day was September 14thof this year. I have been vacationing in Rehoboth since I was a baby, and it has always felt like home to me. My wife and I built a house in the area last year as a getaway, but we very quickly decided that we wanted to stay full-time.
Where and when did your career in hospitality start?
GT: My hospitality career started when I was in college at a small property called the City Club in midtown Manhattan. Shortly after graduating, I began working at the Waldorf Astoria New York and then was part of the opening team of The Beekman.
What is the toughest part of your job right now?
GT: Trying to fill the shoes of the last GM who was here for 20+ years.
The Good Stuff
What has been your greatest success thus far in your career?
GT: Being offered the position of General Manager at The Avenue Inn & Spa.
What was your fondest memory of a customer?
GT: I am lucky enough to have too many to choose from. It is always special, however, when guests continue to come back to a property specifically because of the service I have provided.
Personally Speaking
What do you like to do in your spare time?
GT: I love to golf, cook, and do crossword puzzles.
What is one thing very few people know about you?
GT: I am most fascinated by the things that scare me most, i.e. sharks, snakes, spiders.
Who do you admire, or look up to, and why?
GT: My father. He has always been there for me and has taught me everything I know.
Welcome Aboard Graham!!
We look forward to meeting you during our next stay
Gene & Mary Ann Grady
Welcome Graham! You are working at the best in Rehoboth.
Nice to meet you, Graham, and wishing you success in your new position as GM. For many of us who have been customers of the Avenue for many years, I’m sure you can understand our concern for the former GM, Jim. Where is Jim? Is he OK?
Diane,
Jim is well. Avenue Inn announced he was retiring back in August. We saw him when we were on our Vacation in August and he is well and excited to enjoy retirement.
Welcome aboard, Graham! Hope to be able to visit in 2021.
Miss this year, but I’ll be back soon enough. You can talk to Marylou, she can tell you what I demand??
Looking forward to our next visit great hotel you can only make it better
Diane, Jim retired in August and is loving life in Palm Coast Florida with his wife Adele.
Welcome aboard, can’t wait to meet you! Stay there all the time! Congrats!
Congratulations and Welcome, Graham!
My husband and I are frequent visitors (10+ years) to the Avenue Inn & Spa! We look forward to meeting you on our next visit. We wish you the best of luck!
Rick & Karen Bock
Congratulations Graham! You have big shoes to fill but it sounds like you will be awesome. My family and I have spent many years coming to the Avenue Inn. It always has been Spectacular, staff, service, breakfast, hospitality etc. We recently bought a place in downtown Rehoboth but we will continue to send all our visitors to The Avenue. I will continue to use the spa on a regular basis!! Welcome, and happy for you and your family!!
Congratulations to your new position. You will love it there at Avenue Inn & Spa. My friends and I have been coming down the last few years with the exception of this year. But have our reservations in for 2021. Best Wishes!
Congratulations, Graham! Hoping we get to meet you in 2021. The Avenue Inn is our absolute favorite hotel and we were sorry that 2020 didn’t work out for our usual summer visits. Hoping for the very best in 2021!
Welcome, Graham! My husband and I have been staying at the Avenue Inn since right after it opened, and we consider it a true home away from home. We look forward to meeting you soon!
Welcome Graham! We wish the best as we have been coming to the Avenue Inn for years finding it the best place to stay in Rehoboth. We have been coming to Rehoboth since out kids were babies and they are 36 and 34 now. We look forward to meeting you on our next visit and best of luck to you.
Congratulations Graham, and welcome to the Seaboard Dream Team.
Wishing you the very best of success and smooth “sailing” as the new “Honcho” at The Avenue Inn & Spa.
Warm regards from the other side of the Bay.
Stevan Overby, CHA
Welcome Graham!! We look forward to seeing you on our next visit!
We have been coming to The Avenue for over 15 years and know Jim very well. This has always been our home away from home, Jim was a big part of that for us. He will be missed but we look forward to getting to know you!!
Warm regards,
Nadine, Andy, Emma(15), and Riley(14)
Sir. Welcome. You landed on Rehoboth’s best hotel with superb customer service, cleanliness, location. The Seaboard Group has high standards and after 56 years of Rehoboth fun we know. Cheers.
Welcome, Graham! Look forward to visiting The Avenue each fall. Simply The Best!
Welcome graham. Good to hear Jim is well and retired. Good luck in your new position. Avenue inn is the only place we will ever stay in Rehoboth beach. We love it! Unfortunately 2020 didn’t work out for our usual visit but hoping 2021 will be better than ever. Look forward to meeting you.
Welcome Graham! My husband and I love the “Avenue”. We are not able to travel too often, but when we do it is to the Avenue! It’s the ONLY place we’ll stay. I have no doubt you will continue the high quality service that the Avenue is know for! Best of luck to you in your new position!
Congrats on the new position! My family & I are staying this weekend and I will look forward to meeting you!
I look forward to coming back to visit soon and hopefully well meet.
Enjoy your new job!
Graham, congratulations on your new appointment we are looking forward to meet you. We are a 4 room family and with tears in our eyes we had to miss last summer after 15 yrs in a row, but we’ll be back to see our friends Lew, Marylou, Drew,the Moore Family and staff.
Welcome aboard! See you in two weeks. OMG only two weeks to our next beach weekend!
My daughter and I checked in on 9/13 a day before Graham’s arrival. We had some issues with our room, parking, etc and it seemed like we weren’t getting any satisfaction. Low and behold, Graham was kind enough to help us out. He did all with the utmost of courtesy, customer satisfaction and professionalism. The Avenue Inn is lucky to have him. Hoping to see him again on our next visit. Welcome aboard.
My wife and I met you in September when we were there. I think it was your first or second day ! CONGRATULATIONS on getting a job at the BESTEST HOTEL in Rehoboth ! See you in December for OUR 3rd WEDDING Anniversary!
Welcome aboard, can’t wait to meet you! Stay there all the time! Congrats!
Congratulations Sir, my best to you. My husband and I really enjoy The Avenues hospitality. We will be back again for Halloween weekend hope to see you than. A warm welcome to you and your family.
Welcome, Graham! My mom, sister, and I visit every year in the late fall for a long weekend. I was very apprehensive about staying this year; however, I checked with a friend who stayed there this summer, and she felt very safe and appreciated all the staff did to keep the guests safe. Therefore, we look forward to our visit next month! All the best!
Welcome and hope you’ll be the next 20 year GM. We’ve been coming there for years and look forward to getting to know the newest member of our “family” at our home away from home. Congratulations
Congratulations Graham! Much success!
We were so pleased to meet you during our last trip the end of September. And isn’t the Avenue overjoyed to have you as the General Manager! I knew right away that you are the bonus that the staff was looking for. Just ask them! We can’t wait to come back in November!
Hi Graham,
We met you in September and with just starting you made our visit to Rehoboth memorable in the time of covid. We have been staying at The Avenue Inn for many years and plan to continue. We are sure you will be a terrific manager.
Congratulations Graham on your new home in Beautiful Rehoboth
and your new future at the Avenue . What a great place! I know you will be very successful and happy there just from our experience with the warm and accommodating staff.
We look forward to visiting hopefully soon before winter and wishing you well in person.
Looking forward to meeting you, we have been coming to Rehoboth for 40 years, we love the Avenue!
Graham,
You have an awesome staff and I have no doubt that the Avenue is blessed to have someone that can continue to provide the best customer service in Rehoboth. Best wishes and look forward to meeting you down the road.
My husband and I stayed in The Avenue hotel from October 20 for 4 nights.
Dear Graham, thanks to you, your wonderful team we really had VERY good time in hotel from first to last moment.
It was unforgettable vacation! We celebrated our wedding anniversary, and Everybody were our guests who gave us so much attention, care and many- many smiles!
Arkady and I wish you, your personal Family, all The Avenue Family good Health and best of Luck!
Sincerely,
Yelena
We are excited to meet you! Welcome!
Welcome! We absolutely love The Avenue Inn- My family and I have been coming since 2006! As a young mom- Now we are expecting #6 any day now!