Saratoga Hot Springs Resort bubbles with changes

by Mike Armstrong

The Saratoga Hot Springs Resort (Resort) recently gave their outside beer garden with a bit of a face lift. The ground had new chips put down and an outside bar has been constructed on a deck. It is apparent the guests and locals appreciate getting to enjoy the tree shaded area with how busy it has been since it opened about two weeks ago.

This week, the outside area is going to be serving barbecue in addition to the menu offered by the Snowy Mountain Pub.

The Biergarten menu designed by executive chef Ted Roman has sandwiches, chicken and ribs centered around the meat being barbecued. The Biergarten menu will also feature a rib eye, sirloin and filet.

Another new feature the Resort has opened in recent weeks is Wyoming Outdoor Adventures BaseCamp directly across from the Resort's front entrance. BaseCamp is ready for adventure seekers who come to Carbon County, and the Resort, to book an activity, rent needed gear and have a center for information on what the area offers for the outdoor pursuits.

As the Resort readies for summer, it also has a new general manager in Cheena Parsons, although Parsons is not new to the Resort.

She has been working with the Resort for 10 years.

Parsons remembers when she first stepped inside the building of the Resort, she knew the place was special.

"I had come in from Colorado and went inside to purchase a growler for a friend back home," Parsons said. "I was visiting Joe (her future husband) who was in Saratoga working for the (Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins) conservation district. I had stayed Sunday and Monday and went to get the beer on Monday."

Parsons found the Resort was closed and could not get the growler filled. She said although her mission could not be completed for her friend, Parsons was enchanted with the Resort.

"I remember thinking how much potential the place had, but it wasn't hitting the mark as far as customer service," Parsons said. "Then Joe and I came back to the Resort and had a negative experience, so that became my impetus of applying for a position. Everything about the place was phenomenal and there was so much potential, but it just wasn't quite to the point of customer service where they needed to be, at least in my opinion."

Parsons made this her goal to improve when she applied for a restaurant management position. She did not know, another job would be offered.

"When I was first brought on, it was to be a restaurant manager," Parsons said. "But through my hiring process, they decided to adjust the position and make me food and beverage director."

Good customer service became her mantra.

"No matter what the situation or what we are out of, no matter what position we are short staffed on, my goal was to be open and to be kind," Parsons said. "I felt if we could be open and be kind, then the rest would kind of fall in place."

Besides being kind when interacting with customers, Parsons had another goal of being consistent with hours.

"Scott (Randall, the former general manager) and me wanted to be consistent with hours and service and it is what we focused on," Parsons said. "I also focused on being kind not only on the customers but also with the staff."

Parsons said the biggest struggle is to get staffed up. The Resort is the second largest employer in town after the lumber mill.

"Right now we have about 80 workers," Parsons said. "In winter we have gone as low as 53, but we try to keep it around 75, whenever possible."

The Resort, in addition to its lodging facilities, has food and drink, adventure services, golf course, and a spa.

Parsons acknowledges the Resort needs workers with varied skills, not always easy to find locally, but she is believes being kind to guests and co-workers is a major part of job description.

She realizes many guests coming to the Resort are locals who want to enjoy golf, a massage or a good beer and need to enjoy their experience and even if there is a hiccup. Being kind and responsive makes a difference.

Parsons said Randall was great about having her being the front person for the Resort over the nine years she was his assistant.

"Scott was a great leader and knew what his strengths were and what mine were, and which complimented him. One was me being the front person," Parsons said. "There is a lot to oversee in a place like this and now I am having to pull back from being so much up front so I can take care of the back. I like helping people and letting them know I am supportive. That is important to me. So it is a bit of a balance to keep both back and front of the house running well."

She said her biggest growing pain since taking on the GM job, is keeping up with communications needed from a legal perspective.

"It requires being in the forefront and trying to spearhead those type of things," Parsons said. "There was a lot going on when I took over, but as time goes by, I am more comfortable with this aspect of the job."

Parsons is happy to work for the owners of the Resort.

"I adore Dr. Jannsen and Mrs. Jannsen," Parsons said. "They are like family members to me. I want to represent them to the community as the good people I know they are. They do so much to help the community above and beyond any owner I ever seen. The Resort is concerned and committed to help this area and be a strong part of the community. We are grateful to the support we get from being here in Carbon County and want to give where we can."

Parsons knows mistakes are bound to happen at the Resort as they get busier for summer, but believes always being kind will help remedy the problem. She also believes the Resort has a lot to offer people who are looking for a venue to have a good time.

"We have a lot of fun things going on which we are excited about this summer. It makes me proud to open so much of what we offer at the Resort to the community" Parsons said. "I am grateful to have lived in this community as long as I have because it is such a great place. It is my hope the community will see what a great establishment the Resort is for all, local or not, and will visit."