Managers at Hyatt Regency San Francisco had a battle on their hands — in the best possible way. Determined to do something fun and healthy for their 400 person staff, they launched a challenge on a digital platform that powers fitness tracker-driven wellness programs. The first challenge was so successful, two other Bay Area Hyatts wanted in, and the Battle of the Bay was on. READ MORE

Is wellness still attractive? Wellness providers need to look at developments in the wider healthcare (or medical) arena. There they will discover revived traditional healing approaches, cross-over services and treatments as well as new facility types which already challenge the wellness and tourism markets. Lifestyle medicine, longevity medicine and integrative health approaches will continue to complement, if not replace wellness services, and consequently spas... READ MORE

Hotel spas have come a long way, yet they haven't really gone anywhere. While the world around us has changed significantly in the last twenty years or so, the hotel spa has not. Spas have become a standard feature in most 4 Star and 5 Star hotels. Guests have come to expect a spa in these hotels. But does that mean they will use it? The numbers seem to suggest the answer is no - at least not like they used to. So, what is the Future of the Hotel Spa Business? Here's some thoughts for you to consider. READ MORE

Over the last ten years those of us in the spa industry have been embracing the Wellness Movement. Wellness has been the core value of spas for centuries, but hotel spas finally started focusing on it. Health benefits were highlighted and the old school pampering label was discarded. Menus were expanded, new and innovative services added and in some cases spas completely rebranded. This paradigm shift was made in the hopes of meeting our guests' growing demand for all things wellness. Now, however, our guests are asking us why and how. Why and how does wellness work? READ MORE

Today's hotels and spas must step up to meet the needs of today's more wellness-savvy consumer and stay competitive in the marketplace. Today's guests understand what aging and stress can do to their bodies, and they want to minimize the damaging effects caused by busy lifestyles. Increasingly mainstream awareness about holistic health and wellness needs has led to guests looking for spa and hotel experiences that provide a true circuit of wellness — a comprehensive experience that begins from the moment they walk onto the property and is intentional throughout their visit and helps them achieve their longevity and wellness goals.? READ MORE

Revenue Management is a quickly developing and growing field as it strives to adapt to changing trends and technology. There are still many opportunities to enhance the true potential of this discipline. Whether in the areas of metrics, departmental cooperation, technology and social trends, or multiple revenue streams, there is much for revenue management professionals to tackle on any given day. The future of Revenue Management will quickly be defined by those with the vision and ability to harness the evolution of each of these areas. READ MORE

The hospitality industry worldwide has witnessed disruptive growth over the last few years. With an explosive influx of all kinds of hotels, both big and small, competition is at an all-time high. However, this is great news for travelers as they are spoiled for choice, with a variety of options to choose from. Combine this leverage for travelers with the internet emerging as a strong search and transaction channel, and with the role of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) getting stronger each day, hoteliers are now under immense pressure to ensure high visibility across all leading online platforms with an aim to drive a maximum number of bookings. READ MORE

When hiring a great spa director, and in my time, I have hired a few, you look for qualities that will lead to a successful business. Historically, those qualities include operational acumen, relentless service focus and the almost supernatural ability to motivate passionate spa types. We rely on our directors to run these business units yet their skill set may lean more towards nurturing than analytical. After all, it's rare to find a leader who does everything well. Being resourceful sure helps especially considering the data we have at our fingertips that can influence strategy and critical decisions, like price. READ MORE

Designing a Spa Menu can be considered the most important part of owning a spa. This one small bit of media can be the difference between an extensive amount of revenue, a large and dedicated clientele, and high employee morale, versus next to no revenue, no clients, and an unhappy team. The task may seem a daunting one, but once you are underway, you'll find creating your menu will not only be easier than you thought, but you'll have fun doing it. READ MORE

Science has been part of the spa, and the in-spa conversation for a long time. Indeed, you might say that the modern spa is built upon science and scientific arguments. The modern spa industry is built on science in that the very treatments, that were key to launching and to scaling this industry, originated in the many different “scientific pasts” that the modern spas of today lay claim to. Today these born-in-science treatments are synonymous with, and also iconic of, the spa. One such treatment is a beauty treatment, and another is a wellness treatment. The beauty treatment is medicalized skin care, and the wellness treatment is massage. READ MORE

Spas have been a revenue generating mainstay for resorts since travelling began. Resort and hotel spas make up only about 20% of the global spa market, and smart hoteliers know that the lucrative group market is not only a primary consideration in filling a resort's guest rooms, but it also is a significant contributor to the spa's revenue generating capacity as well. But just as important as it is for a resort to keep up on spa trends, unique challenges face a resort's spa business in the form of increased competition. If the rooms are not filled, available spa appointments go unreserved. READ MORE

Understanding and addressing the reasons behind, and risks associated with payments processing is a critical issue in the hospitality industry. This introduction to payments fraud provides critical knowledge for anyone dealing with accounting, payments, or vendor relationships. In this article we will explore how this new evolution of technology, which automates the entire procure-to-pay workflow process, dramatically reduces the risk of fraud. For hotel executives this payments-related fraud is especially troubling with security breaches at global hotel chains making headlines in recent years. Whether the fraudulent activity happens as an insider threat or through the use of a hotel room, it is happening on a daily basis. READ MORE

By nature of the hotel industry, it can be challenging to find and keep talent. There are many overnight and hourly positions to fill, both year-round and during peak travel season. However, when considering the high rate of turnover and the high cost of that turnover, it is apparent that hotels should, not only develop a solid pipeline of candidates, but fill that pipeline with the potential employees who fit into the organization. As the war for talent continues, hotels and other business must get more creative in their recruiting and retention efforts. READ MORE

Now that summer is here, it might be time to enhance the appearance of your hotel's grounds. If you think that trimming, edging, and mowing every other week will be enough, think again. Your landscape deserves the best in full-service grounds care carried out by trained experts with an eye for keeping your landscape healthy. Commercial grounds care is very different than residential landscaping, so even if your hotel has the best looking landscaping in the area, there are still circumstances you'll need to consider in order to keep your grounds safe, healthy, and looking great. As a hotelier, ask yourself these five questions to help decide if it's time to upgrade your landscape. READ MORE

When heads of state come to visit your hotel they usually make a bit of a show. The Russians are no exception, they even bring their own warship, the KGB and a wad of cash! I had the pleasure of witnessing the Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev arrival in San Francisco in June of 2010. He flew in the presidential plane, meanwhile his missile cruiser Varyag sailed into San Francisco Bay to accompany his visit. Heads of state often have a ship accompany them on their state visits. READ MORE