Grand has new GM

Darla Barrett's desire to live in nice places has led her to one of the most beautiful ­ here at Grand Canyon where she took over as general manager of the Grand Hotel early last month. She replaces former general manager Steve Paul.

"One thing I always told myself is that I want to live and work in beautiful places, so this (hospitality) is the perfect career to do that," she said.

A native of southern California, she attended California State University in Dominguez Hills with a major in Spanish. Though her intent was to teach English as a second language, a restaurant job right after graduation led to a 25-year career in hospitality.

"I loved it. I loved every end of it," she said. "I've worked every aspect of food and beverage including being a chef and a banquet manager."

Her past management positions include manager of banquet services for Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Tetons, and as manager of the Rising Star Motor Inn near Glacier National Park and the Ocean Shores Condo-Hotel in Washington.

She has also worked in West Virginia, Texas, Montana, Wyoming and, 15 years ago, in Sedona where she owned a business and worked in a downtown restaurant.

"It's something different every day," she said. "It's still a game to me. Every day has to end up the same and that is with everyone going home happy. That's not just your customers but your staff too. Every day it's a different road you take to get to that end."

To that end, she said the biggest change will be in the area of customer service, starting with what people sense and feel walking in the door, for example, a homey scent of candles in the lobby.

"This lobby with the fireplace is my living room and the dining room is my dining room," she said. "You only get one chance to make a first impression.

She said she feels fortunate both for the hotel's good structure and for her staff.

"I think this hotel is beautiful, just the architecture, the design," she said. "Whoever designed this did an awesome job. And I feel extremely lucky with the staff I walked into because they want the same things I do."

In her spare time, she likes to ride her Harley and plans to get involved in small community life.

"Typically I do try to make myself known," she said. "I've lived in small communities a lot and I think I have a lot to give to the charitable end of this community as well as the hotel here."