BAMBERG, Germany -- A ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Warner Barracks' new temporary lodging facility took place last Monday.

During the ceremony, Bamberg Lodging's manager, Alice Zamora and her team received Department of the Army's 2010 Lodging Operation of the Year award, small category.

This award recognizes exceptional Army lodging operations worldwide, said Zamora. The process involved a written self-nomination. Lodging was evaluated on three categories: operations, facility and service.

"The majority of the ICE comments I receive on the Bamberg Lodging, aren't about the smallness of it," said Lt. Col. Steven Morris, U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg's garrison commander.

The comments are about the lodging team; how pleasant and reactive they are and how well they do their customer service.

The new Bamberg Lodging now offers transitioning community members 16 suites in Building 7676, 16 suites in Building 7677, five suites above the Warner Conference Center and two handicapped accessible rooms in Building 7678.

"This is a significant improvement to the quality of life for our Families," Morris said, "I think you will be very, very impressed with what you see inside."

"This is part of the Army's promise to ensure our Families and our Soldiers are treated with the most dignity and respect," Morris said, "and that the value of the services they have is commensurate with their service."

Soldiers and family members staying at the new lodging will no longer have to share bathrooms with neighboring guests. Previously, 16 of the 28 rooms required occupants to share with the adjoining room.

"If you can picture that you've got one great Family on one side, one in another and they are sharing a bathroom," Morris said. "Clearly, not the quality we owe our Soldiers and Families."

In addition to the conversion, 32 suites will have kitchenettes, which include a full four-burner stove and oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher.

"I hope this will better serve the lodging needs of our Soldiers and Families by minimizing the disruptions and inconveniences while transitioning between installations," he said.

For more information on Bamberg Lodging or to make a reservation, call 0951-300-1700.