Towels, soap, shampoos, internet access, in-room coffee, ironing board, television, game station, fresh baked cookies, spa, bicycles, boats, continental breakfast, luxury bathrobes, valet parking, pet psychic - and the list of hotel amenities goes on and on and on. What is considered an "amenity" and what is considered "standard" changes over time, from market to market and from asset class to asset class of the hotel industry. Amenities are often the driver when making a choice between similarly situated hotels. So how do hotel owners, hotel operators and brands determine what the right amenity mix is for their target traveler - and for l. Our article in this week's Hotel Business Review, " Getting the Mix Right - the Amenity Mix - From Traditional to Extraordinary" will delve into this question.

When I was asked to write this article on Design trends in Hospitality one of the ideas that came to me was of the seasoned traveler who longed to experience the world and really experience it. What does that mean? We travel for pleasure, for business, for research, for family, but most of all I travel as most of what I believe others do now and for the past 15 years , for experiences….and so the 1969 movie written by Robert Shaw starring Suzanne Pleshette, and Ian Mcshane called “If this is Tuesday we must be in Belgium” seemed and appropriate way to begin . . .

You can take the hotelier out of his/her hotel, but you can't take the Hospitality Gene out of them. Like or not, if you are hotel executive attention to detail, noting each and every last service detail, is in your blood. There is no escaping it; even when you're on vacation. The Hospitality Gene: A Beast, A Blessing & A Payoff takes a look at just how this extreme attention to details, the nuances that your non-industry traveling partners are blind to, keep tapping you on the shoulder even when you are trying to take time off. Chances are most of you reading this can relate all too well.

Personalization has been a key focus for hospitality companies for years now. Personalization initiatives by major chains and boutique hotels, however, are primarily focused on experience while the guest is at the property. Over 80% of travelers interact with hotels through their website before making reservation. In fact research points out that some leisure travelers spend more time in dreaming about the trip, planning the trip and the reserving the trip than the trip itself. Therefore, it is increasingly important for hotels to focus on providing personalized online experience to their guests. Personalized online shopping experiences can help hotels achieve dramatic improvements in brand loyalty while yielding higher look to book ratios.

As hospitality professionals look at their technology strategies, they must focus on four key factors: operational efficiencies, discretion, flexibility and seamless connectivity. Communication solutions, such as advanced two-way radio technology, must address all four factors to enable personalized, highly-responsive customer service. In addition, a secure, reliable, application-aware wireless network allows employees to be more efficient and productive in managing client transactions, such as checking hotel guests in at the curb, expediting valet parking and placing food orders immediately.

As the summer season kicks into gear in many places in the world, hotel pools will become magnets of opportunity for memorable guest experiences. And while the aqua blue colors, refreshing water temperatures and lushly landscaped environments are appealing; moments of service excellence in the pool environment will make the most splash of all. Understanding how to be “Cool at the Pool” at every touchpoint and being able to recognize those touchpoints will make them even more relaxing.

A decade or so ago, green was in vogue. When asked, around 70 per cent of the traveling public said that they would prefer it if their hotel choices didn't damage the environment. Slightly fewer would like to know that their chosen travel agent, tour operator, accommodation and hospitality provider does something to support the communities in the destinations in which they are based. Give or take a few percentage points, this magic 70% figure was relatively consistent throughout Europe.

With its entrenchment over the past several years across the construction industry, the sustainability movement has proven its mettle as a vehicle for both environmental and economic benefit. Understanding that the term “green” provides immediate brand value to environmentally conscious consumers, many industries have embraced sustainability practices, both in their day-to-day operations and in the thoughtful construction or renovation of their buildings. The hospitality industry is no exception to this, and those from boutique operations to major hotel conglomerates are executing thoughtful and strategic initiatives to not only communicate their commitment to sustainability, but also to put it into concrete action.

So you've thought of installing LED in your building, or Solar Panels on your roof but you can't find room in the budget for these energy solutions. The biggest thing we, in the energy efficiency industry, hear is that 'green' hotels are great, and there LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) but they are too expensive to build. Looking for a return-on-investment within a few years, hotel executives often think that there are no easy solutions with cash back results.

Without a doubt, over the life of the Green movement some industries and market segments have embraced Green and sustainable issues faster and much sooner than others. For instance, a decade or so ago, when industrial locations and even commercial office buildings were simply toying with the idea of transferring to Green cleaning, many schools and school districts throughout North America voluntarily or as a result of new regulations were actively involved with Green and sustainable building operations.