A story that is close to our hearts, the evolution of Prestige Hotels & Resorts is a story that we want to share with all our fans. This post is part of a three part blog post about our family owned hotel company.
Here is Part 1 of Our Prestige Story:
“There are two things I’ve always asked of my children: to work hard and to treat others with kindness.”
– Josef Huber Sr., founder, Prestige Hotels & Resorts
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Upon his arrival to Canada in 1950, Josef Huber Sr. knew that if he was going to be successful, he would have to rely on his family.
Joe Huber Sr. – 1950’s
With only twenty-dollars to his name, and his wife, Anna, and a child to provide for, he was abundantly aware that learning quickly, working hard, and adapting to his surroundings would be essential to their survival. In spite of some initial language barriers, he quickly worked his way up from cabinetmaker to carpenter to contractor.
Joe Huber Sr. – 1970’s
Husband and wife would teach each other English, encourage one another, and grow their family, all while combating the cold of the Canadian prairie. Years passed and the family grew to love and admire their adopted country, a place where hard work could easily be converted into opportunity.
One day, Joe’s sister and brother-in-law called from out West, urging him to move to the Okanagan and buy a small motel business. The family saw a chance to make their mark, and they made the decision to seize it together.
The Huber Family – 1960’s
The Huber’s soon relocated their family to Penticton, BC, and bought a ten-unit motel called the Kreekside.
The Kreekside Motel, Penticton – 1960s
Joe quickly developed a propensity for the hotel business. A man of many social graces, he enjoyed interacting with guests, with employees, with just about any one he came into contact with. He believed that treating the customer with respect and kindness was the cornerstone of success in the hotel industry. Both his parents and Anna’s mother lived on site with the family, and worked along side Joe and Anna to run the business successfully.
Joe continued to stake his own claim by systematically expanding the Kreekside Motel, and then built a second property in Penticton, the Lakeland Motel. These were the first in a long line of motels and motor inns that he constructed and operated.
As Joe became increasingly successful, he purchased the Four Seasons Motel in Kelowna. Joe and Anna expected their children to contribute to the business just as much as they had over the years. The three daughters, Ilse, Ingrid and Hilde, had responsibilities in housekeeping, the front office, and interacting with guests.
They worked tirelessly, all while balancing their school work and active social lives. The youngest of the four children, Joey, pitched in with chores such as lawn mowing, but his major contribution to the family business would come later – contributions that would drastically shape the direction and scale of the family business forever.
Check back on our blog next week for Part 2 of the Prestige Story.
Im thankful for the blog post. Great.