One of the first things guests notice upon arriving at a hotel is its landscaping. It is also one of the most crucial - and overlooked - aspects of building customer satisfaction. Since repeat guests are your best customers, it is important to maintain a fresh new look that will keep them entertained and returning for years to come.

But keeping your landscape fresh and up to date with changing seasonal aesthetics is challenging for many hotel executives - especially in areas like Southern California and Texas where there is little seasonal variation to the landscape. Color, climate and different light exposures all factor into the design and maintenance of an interesting landscape with a year-round aesthetic interest.

The best way to go about creating a year-round aesthetic is to carefully examine your hotel's property needs during each season. Spring and summer are times for inventive design, creativity and cultivation. During the fall and winter, your efforts should be focused on preserving and maintaining your landscape.

This article offers landscape design tips for spring and summer and preservation tips for fall and winter. By taking a seasonal approach to landscape design maintenance, you can create an aesthetic appeal that lasts year-round.

Spring & Summer: ...