Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Lambert
Hi Steve, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
With roots as a Foster Kid in Boston and the life experience of 13 foster home moves; started in hospitality business as a 16 year old bellman. Worked way up to general manager and then owner of 4 diamond inns in New Hampshire. Joined a friend’s company 20 years back and now to open the Cambria Hotel 5 years ago as the gm. This Cambria Hotel Madeira Beach is the newest hotel and came into play as the Hurricane code designed property in Madeira Beach. We have a team of 60 staff and have found ourselves facing 8 weather testing storms since opening…the last and noteworthy of which were Helene and Milton…instead of closing and leaving the barrier island, we worked with authorities’ knowledge and I remained in hotel for the span of 14 days as we were finding locals walking in for refuge from their flooded homes and cars. We subsequently became their haven for safety and still are for 125 locals who have had their homes destroyed with no clear timeline insight! During the tests of the hurricanes we bonded together with homemade food provisions in the hotel kitchen, and a roof over their heads as we all did not know what we were headed into with the testing of 140 projected mile and hour winds! Here we stand , still a home for Madeira Beach community as we maneuver through this trying scenario!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Referring to hospitality and hotels, my first job was at a Sheraton outside of Boston where I went in as a foster kid and found the environment of hotels and hospitality and guest interactions as the best part of my life! I landed my first job ala Oliver Twist by walking into the hotel and bravely telling their Human Resource Director that he had told me to start working that day. From then on the virtuous cycle of working with the public and the appreciation and service for them is both rewarding and in demand. The hotel business is a ‘ tackle sport’ – plan to sacrifice nights, weekends and holidays and the opportunities are endless. I let newcomers in the hotel business know my adage; ‘ we are in a true meritocracy – give us your all, then more – and you can develop into any leadership role you wish for!’
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I joined on in the design and planning stage with a friend whom I had run 9 hotels with in the Boston / New England areas…he scoped out Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach areas to bring our own style of hands-on and community engaged hospitality in our own special way. The hotel was meticulously planned with a roof top restaurant and pool area one of the first in Cambria Hotels and the belle of the ball in the now transforming Madeira Beach area. Any given day one can stay by the beach area, dine in one of 3 restaurants and our Points of Distinction include;
* Daily Gold Coin treasure hunts hidden around the hotel for kids to learn about John’s Pass history and even see coins designed in the pool and in each room’s artwork…a 365 day a year Easter Egg hunt that they get loot from in our treasure box.
* Champagne at check in! Every guest arriving enjoys some French Champagne at check in now reaching half a million sips!
* Sunset toasts – taking a page out of Hawiian hotels – we time a sunset toast share with the amazing view of daily sunsets visible at the edge of our rooftop and by the eternity pool…
Special details that guests from afar and local have come to know as our hallmarks as a hotel….
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am an avid motorcyclist; now a proud Indian Chief owner and in my first four years of the five living in Madeira Beach only travelled by my motorcycle! The Hotel design of open floor and 3rd floor welcoming lobby above a Tiki Bar on the sidewalk area never ceases to amaze people when they look at the beach as they enter the lobby and Prime Waters dining area. The first hotel I have had that has zero lobby curtains for a reason!
Now I have 3 amazing children; One son holds his Phd in education and is a Mayor in Illinois, another son follows my career path and is a Food and Beverage Director himself and my daughter owns her own beauty business in Sacramento California! Not to mention a brilliant 7 year old granddaughter – Emerson!
My unknown superpower is that for the last 5 years I have been part of the Krewe of volunteers at the St. Pete Food Pantry effort with Positive Impact where on Saturdays we no-questions asked- provide now up to 400 cars with boxes of fresh food to help them stretch their nourishment in these times. We are at the old Tangerine Plaza on 18th and 22nd in South St. Pete every week and my Boston Accent helping amazing volunteers put food in cars has earned me the nametag and nickname;
‘Mac & Cheese’ as we all WITH DIGNITY and a dose of humor share in giving to the community where a food desert would exist without the team at Positive Impact and Pastor Karalynne, Karen and Pastor Jay lead! It is amazing to be a part of helping our community where food scarcity prevails!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cambriamadeirabeach.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-lambert-7669062/
- Other: Positiveimpact.org
Image Credits
all images are credit from my iphone
