As the ski season comes to an end, my article looks at the unique challenges of running a hotel in the mountains, and at the winter-specific services provided at ski resort hotels - from the humble Lake Louise Inn in Banff National Park with its affordable family units, packed pizza restaurant, and popular pub nights for ski workers, to the spectacular Waldorf Astoria Park City, the only Waldorf on snow, that gives guests access to high-end, brand new ski and snowboard equipment, and use of its own dedicated Frostwood Gondola a few steps away from the hotel entrance. READ MORE

Trait: a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person. If you were to name one dominant trait of each person on your team, what would it be? What traits will your new hires possess? Find out before you put your guests in their hands. Learn how your prospective employees feel about empowerment before you attempt to empower them. If it isn't their job, then this isn't their job! Actual situations presented during the interview will give you needed insight into the traits of your prospective employee, and whether or not, they will harmonize with your cultural goals. READ MORE

Problem resolution techniques have been practiced for years in the lodging industry and compensation is still a common practice to satisfy a frustrated customer. This article explores problem resolution processes and other common practices used by successful hotels to improve guest satisfaction. With the importance of review site ratings, top hotels are going far beyond guest surveys and review sites to respond to guest feedback. The article explains how the best hotels use technology and management processes for handling real time response to guest issues and proactive guest recognition to personalize the guest experience during the guest stay. READ MORE

Guest service is an extremely important factor for ensuring we, as hoteliers in the customer service industry, are providing positive, memorable experiences for our guests. High stress situations are additional guest service opportunities. It is imperative that our Team Members are empowered to make decisions on the spot in order to rectify situations that may arise. In order for empowerment amongst Team Members to exist and be successful, empowerment needs to be a vital part of the service culture; training needs to be a priority; and ways to measure and track results need to be established. READ MORE

Following The Fontaine's remodel and rebranding in December of 2017, we decided it was a crucial turning point in the hotel's future. Success is dependent on evolution and we knew with the ever-changing hospitality and travel industries we were at a crossroad in the industry. In order to adapt with the current hotel trends, we had to re-organize our goals and come up with a game-plan for the future of the hotel. This included focusing on the little things that act as the building blocks for an experiential experience for our guests. We strive to give guests a memorable stay that would further enrich their lives as travelers. READ MORE