When hotel employee Rachel Chung learnt that a guest needed a knee operation, she went the extra mile to ensure the woman was well taken care of.

Ms Chung, an executive assistant at the Singapore Marriot Tang Plaza Hotel, not only visited the guest in the hospital two days after her operation, but she also ensured that the guest's room was properly equipped with what a recovering patient might need.

"I am always putting myself in their shoes," said Ms Chung.

"They need someone to comfort them and give them support. If I were in their situation, I would really need someone to do the same for me."

Ms Chung was one of 92 service professionals from 56 participating hotels to be presented with the Service Gold Award at the 22nd edition of the annual National Kindness Awards for Service ceremony at the Marina Mandarin Leo Ballroom yesterday.

Jointly organised by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) and the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), the awards recognise exceptional service staff as well as hotel guests who treat their service staff with graciousness and consideration.

Dr William Wan, general secretary of the SKM, said: "The winners are an inspiration to everyone in the hospitality industry, and are also important ambassadors of both their hotels and of Singapore as a tourist destination."

The winners were selected by a panel of judges comprising representatives from the local hotel industry and the SKM, based on nominations from their colleagues and guests.

In addition to the service professionals, four hotel guests received awards for their gracious behaviour towards staff.

Summing up the event, Dr Wan said the awards are a way of celebrating people who are actually contributing to creating a more gracious society.

Nadia Chevroulet