According to Comfort Inn part owner C.J. Patel, it’s no big secret why his Hillsville hotel won Choice Hotels’ prestigious 2010 Gold Hospitality Award — it’s all about the employees.

“The staff is very important,” Patel said. “Without a good staff, it doesn’t really matter. You need a good staff. I take pride in my staff, they do a good job; the front and the housekeeping department and maintenance department. Everybody pitches in and helps out, whatever is necessary.”

The Hillsville Comfort Inn is one of six hotels owned by Siha, LLC and Raga Corp. They also own the Hampton Inn of Galax, the Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn, Econo Lodge and Country Inn & Suites in Wytheville and plan starting construction on a new hotel in March in Wytheville. They bought the Hillsville property in July 2006 and made numerous enhancements.

As one of three Comfort Inns in Virginia to receive the Gold Hospitality Award in 2009 and 2010, Patel and company have room for bragging rights among their peers, since the award is presented to the top 10 percent of Choice Hotels’ businesses.

“The Comfort Inn award-winning hotel represents not only the best of the best, but also the tremendous value that a Choice brand hotel can offer to today’s travelers,” said Steve Joyce, president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels. “We’re very proud to have the Comfort Inn hotel as part of our Choice family and I congratulate the property on receiving this distinguished award.”

As one of the company’s top franchised hotels operating under the Comfort flag, the hotel has demonstrated an exceptional focus on guest satisfaction and dedication to providing superior service. Additional award criteria are evaluated by Choice Hotels through its official annual property ranking report.

Patel said it’s the little things that helps set the property apart when guests have the choice of where to stay when they’re visiting Hillsville. He said his staff makes sure to go the extra mile in order to keep customers satisfied — and coming back.

“If they need jumper cables, we have them; if they can’t come downstairs for coffee, we’ll take it to them,” Patel said. “It’s the little things; if they ask us to do it, we’ll do it. I had one customer send me a letter saying you have Pepsi machines but you don’t have Coke. I wrote her back, saying the next time she stays; I’ll give her a six pack of Coke. That’s what I gave her.”

And Patel said work continues to ensure guests have a restful and enjoyable stay. He said new carpeting has been added to the hotel and they are planning more renovations this year.