Island Inn’s Powell receives Sanibel & Captiva Chamber’s Stellar Award
Mat Powell, head of housekeeping at the Island Inn, received the Stellar Award for the Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce this month.
If you have ever stayed at the Island Inn, you will know Mat Powell. He is the big guy with the friendly, smiling face guests love to see, year after year.
Mat joined Island Inn as a young server in the dining room over 27 years ago. He spent two years in the dining room of the Island Inn’s restaurant before moving into the area that is his passion — housekeeping. He has worked in housekeeping at the Island Inn for the past 25 years and rose to become head of housekeeping in 2010. He is responsible for a team of 12 housekeeping staff.
If you ask anyone about Mat, whether they are a guest, a Sanibel resident, or his team members, they all say the same thing: Mat is simply the best.
A native of Southwest Florida, Mat was brought up in Fort Myers, attended Fort Myers High School and now lives on Sanibel.
Mat received a Stellar Award, which is the Chamber’s recognition of exemplary guest services, because he embodies all that is good about the people on Sanibel and Captiva — friendly, helpful and always has a twinkle in his eye.
Chris Davison, VP of Operations of the Island Inn, said that Powell was given this award because of his excellent attitude and work ethic.
“At work, Mat is a great manager, he is always calm and in control with guests and with his team,” said Davison. “He always has a solution to any issues that might arise… Mat finds a way to get things done and goes above and beyond the call of duty to do so.”
Powell and the two others have been recognized in the Stellar Award section of this quarter’s Chamber Magazine.
“Guests at Island Inn constantly comment on Mat’s great way with people, they even write about him in online reviews on the hotel,” added Davison. “He truly is a great ambassador for the Island Inn.”
Built in 1895, the Island Inn is the most established Inn on Sanibel and Captiva. Their spacious rooms and cottages feature large screened porches with views of the gulf. It also features a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, Florida room, fireplace, newly renovated bar and award-winning restaurant, Traditions on the Beach.