Hotel Business Review Archives

Some lists we love – like those fun rankings of favorite desserts, most popular vacation spots, and highest-earning celebrities. Some lists we hate – like our personal daily “to do” list. As hoteliers, we use lists all the time for everything from tracking room inventory to scheduling maintenance projects to tracking ROI and RevPAR. Now I’ve created another list for you – the “what’s hot and what’s not” list. I’m not sure if you’ll love it or hate it, but I am sure it can help you as you make FF&E decisions this year.

Today it is simply smart business for hotels to install water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow showerheads and low-flow toilets that are up-to-date with high performance technology. Installation of water-conserving products in guest rooms alone can save a property upwards of thirty percent on water bills. In fact, there are eleven different categories of hotels. According to Water Management Inc., (a company offering water efficiency programs) some budget hotels to use as little as twenty gallons of water per occupied room per night whereas resort hotels can use as much as two hundred fifty gallons of water per occupied room.

Think all designers are the same? Think again! My article is intended to help you select a designer for your next FF&E project who will enhance the look of your property, increase sales, and increase the hotel’s value – and perhaps most importantly, will increase your peace of mind. This article provides practical tips for evaluating a potential designer’s experience, credentials, and personality. Follow my suggestions for easier deliberations and for a decision that leaves you feeling confident and comfortable – about your choice of designer as well as about your entire project.

Hoteliers are in the business of, well, hotels; the real estate, ownership, operations, RevPAR, ADR, etc. So when it comes to renovations, and the hotelier’s business suddenly changes to construction, a lack of experience can quickly result in unnecessary expenses. Successfully managing the upgrades-to or the conversion-of a hospitality property can be the difference between spending excess dollars and putting money back in your pocket. Understanding some basic principles in hospitality construction and contractor selection can make a difference in the overall price of the project.

A hotel stay doesn't begin when guests walk into your property - it begins with the design scheme and the purchase of FF&E elements. Working closely with your interior designer and your FF&E supplier, your objective should be to turn a "hotel stay" into a "hotel experience." So what are some practical yet economical ideas for enhancing the look of your hotel? This article provides some tips for achieving your objective effectively as you keep one eye on design and the other eye on the bottom line. I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Let me know your thoughts and if I can answer any questions.

In our gadget-obsessed world, technology has grown from a convenient amenity to an essential element of every hotel's design and services. The challenge is to blend high-tech with high-touch - namely, to use cutting-edge science in a meaningful and memorable way that enhances every guest visit. Let's look at nine ways you can meet that challenge, attract more guests, and justify higher room rates. Most of these are relatively easy and economical to consider for either new construction or renovation, although a few are more exotic, more expensive, and require considerable advance planning.

Hotel renovation is on the rise. There are many reasons, but chief among them are that brands are issuing Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) for properties that have recently been neglected. That banks are acting to enhance the value of assets they have foreclosed on. That owners of older hotels are trying to stay competitive with newer properties. And that in today's economic climate, financing is easier for a new look than for new construction. While the end result of a renovation is almost always satisfying, getting the project done can be hard on a hotel - fiscally and physically. So how can you manage the challenge in a way that minimizes the strain on your budget, your staff, and your guests?

FF&E design can be a challenge, but we suggest that you focus on five high-impact areas: the lobby, technology, beds and bedding, case goods, and lighting. Our tips provide priorities that should make your job easier - and they certainly will create a hotel that impresses your guests. So if you're looking for a more perfect FF&E design experience, start here!

The typical hotel room requires about 175 to 200 yards of fabric to drape, decorate, and upholster. Plus there is fabric for the lobby and other public areas. Sometimes you want fabric to play a starring role in creating a “wow” factor, while sometimes you want fabric to be a more subtle bit player in your design scheme. So how do you choose the right fabric for the right application? My column examines the most common fabric types used in the hospitality industry, plus the six most important factors to consider when selecting fabrics – texture, color, pattern, purpose, fire retardation, and clean-ability.

Until a hotel is properly furnished, it's only an empty building. Responsible purchasing - guided by the designer's creativity, the owner's preferences, and the franchisers standards - brings a property alive and gives it soul. But how should you select your purchasing partner? And how can you be sure to get the quality products you demand, the 'within budget' costs you require, and the follow-up service you expect? This article provides some suggestions for finding a firm you can trust - and that can help you avoid purchasing mistakes which can be expensive, time-consuming, embarrassing, and perhaps even have legal implications.

Hoteliers are always looking for those little touches that can make a big difference, for their guests and for their bottom line. My article this month suggests how some answers can be found through creative attention to art and accessories. We know that when a hotel looks special, guests feel special - so I offer ideas that can transform a nice hotel into a breath-taking hotel. Ideas that combine an uptown look with a down-home feel. Ideas that make your rooms anything but square. Many of my suggestions are easy to implement, all are easy on the eyes.

As competition in the hospitality industry intensifies, success becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. Therefore, it's more important than ever that FF&E selections be made intelligently and for specific business reasons. Color is one of those vital design decisions. Our world is visual, so color dramatically affects emotions and attitudes - attitudes which in turn affect guest satisfaction, brand loyalty, and return visits. While the fashion world sees a color palette change approximately every two years, the interior design color palette has a slower cycle, changing every three to five years. My article examines this "vocabulary of color" and how you can use it to most effectively speak with your guests. Enjoy these ideas and the benefits they can bring to your property.

Quick - how much was the freight cost for your most recent FF&E order? You can probably remember the price you paid for each of your television sets or for the carpeting in each of your hotel rooms, but shipping is usually like sales tax - it's an "invisible" charge that seems to disappear or blend into the overall invoice. So how you can keep your freight costs reasonable, avoid shipping surprises, and stretch your FF&E budget? Consider these suggestions.

Our travel choices are shaped by today's lifestyles, fashions, and economy. At home, we're used to upscale amenities and technological conveniences - and we don't want to give them up when we're on the road. That's why today, there's more to hotel design than just coordinating wall colors and furniture. The goal of every hotelier and interior designer is to create space which is practical yet appealing... intimate yet dramatic... elegant yet everyday.

Design is constantly changing - there's always something new and better to try. As a designer, this inspires me. Currently, one of the hottest trends is the merging of residential and hotel design. This article explores this trend in detail - and suggests ways you can capitalize on it for the benefit of your hotel property and your bottom line. Certainly it's a trend that's not only changing the way we travel, but changing the way we enjoy travel.