Since opening in December 2012, The Alpina Gstaad has worked to position itself as a leading spa destination. This year, the luxury hotel - the newest to open in 100 years in the Swiss Alpine village - is expanding its approach and focusing on a special area of wellness. The hotel's management wants its guests to leave The Alpina Gstaad feeling better both mentally and physically than when they arrived. This summer, from June 6 to September 25, two special programs- Mindful Leadership and Sophrology - led by two experts in these fields, will focus on recalibrating guests' minds and bodies to promote a complete immersion into healthy and mindful living. READ MORE

We start hearing the message even as young children, "Think positive”! When entering into school, or a sport, or a contest, our parents continuously tell us, “think for the best!” Unfortunately as we get older life gets in the way and we cannot always hold such words true. Many times it's easier to point out the negative then realize or even try to obtain the good in every situation. If you adopt an attitude that starts off seeing the best possible outcome, you teach your mind to expect success, growth and favorable results. READ MORE

As Peter Drucker once said, "Marketing … is the whole business seen from the point of view of its final result, that is, from the customer's point of view. Concern and responsibility for marketing must, therefore, permeate all areas of the enterprise." While viewed most often as a necessary evil, guest recovery, when done correctly, is an additional opportunity to build loyalty. True service recovery is defined as "... a situation in which a consumer has experienced a problem which has been satisfactory resolved, and where the consumer subsequently rates their satisfaction to be equal to or greater than that in which no problem had occurred." In today's highly competitive marketplace, having an authentic recovery interaction is paramount as guests' expectations continue to evolve. READ MORE

In the ever growing hospitality industry, first impressions are critical for establishing and maintaining a competitive edge. Each property has its own unique twists and turns that can be used to create an appealing look and feel for the property. In this article I look at how every landscape can be used to create an attractive space that transports guests to a different place, whether you want to create small, intimate spaces, highlight a particular feature, or maximize a difficult-to-tame sloping property. READ MORE

Most revenue management experts agree that in order to continue to drive revenue and profits in a changing marketplace, the hotel revenue management discipline must evolve from revenue management to price optimization. As hotels make this important shift, it is crucial that executives understand what price optimization is, how it relates to revenue management, and what advantages will be gained from this approach. In this article, I'll briefly describe how pricing in hospitality and travel has evolved over the past few decades, then I'll define price optimization and describe why it is important for hotels to leverage this approach. READ MORE

In today's culture it is easy to become far removed from Earth's natural elements. With a fast-paced society and high tech gadgets, we tend to make time for everyone and everything but ourselves which causes an increased risk for illness and a more stressful lifestyle. With the expansion of the wellness movement in hotels and spas, earthing emerges as one of the new spa trends. READ MORE

Even when a property has a built-in amenity like a prolific hot springs that pumps over three million gallons of water a day, creating a successful health and wellness program doesn't just happen. In 2008, with the opening of the Spa of the Rockies at Glenwood Hot Springs, the Colorado resort fully embraced its roots as a center for natural health and well-being. Since then, “helping our guests feel better,” is a company motto that is embraced property-wide, at the pool, spa and lodge. Two services in particular, the Zents™ Scent Journey and the new Spa of the Rockies foot ritual are prime examples of how complimentary add-ons are engaging health and wellness consumers and increasing the bottom line. READ MORE

What makes a hotel or spa experience special? What sets a property apart, attracts guests and inspires loyalty? Increased awareness of the benefits of clean and green living means that more and more consumers are seeking the organic label -on the food they eat, on the clothing they wear and on the bedding and bath linens they choose. And these aware, informed consumers expect the same high standards (or even higher) at a hotel or spa as those they set for their own homes. READ MORE

Today's hotel spa can be either a great profit centre or an essential amenity that is just another cost centre. Either one is fine. The key is in understanding what role your spa plays for your hotel, then finding the right help to bring that spa to life and ensure that the finished product fits with the overall objective. READ MORE

With the volume of credit card swipes at hotel check-in, as well as at their bars, restaurants and shops, hotels offer ample opportunities for cyberattacks. Cybercrime is evolving and escalating, and the potential damage of a data breach to a hotel's bottom line and reputation cannot be ignored or understated. Every hotel executive should take seriously the threat of computer security breaches, implementing the most up-to-date prevention and risk management practices, creating an emergency response plan and securing sufficient insurance coverage in the event there is a breach. READ MORE

The Boutique Hotel category has become an unfortunate victim of its own success. Mass marketing and misunderstanding has led to a watering down of the idea and the delivery of cookie-cutter “boutique-experiences”. The confusion among owners and operators between great small hotels and boutique hotels is part of the problem…but understanding the difference is the key to improved success (whether you are a real boutique hotel or a great small hotel). This article reviews the history of the category, what went wrong, what is working and suggests ways to improve. READ MORE

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) training has the potential to improve employees' health by lowering blood pressure and improving emotional health. HRV training also has the potential to help tap your crew's creativity and intuition. It also may support employees to become better communicators. Amazingly enough, HRV training may contribute to “collective coherence.” READ MORE

Social Media channels offer unlimited information, both for guests looking to book a hotel room and for hoteliers looking to increase their bookings. Of course because the social web is a noisy place, posting great content and images on your social channels is not enough to affect the bottom line. You have to set a goal for your social media efforts that go beyond likes and shares, you have to have a team that is committed to driving revenue, and you have to have a workable strategy. READ MORE

Traditionally, spas have been retreats for adults to relax and revitalize, far away from children. But with the rise of wellness in spas, another trend has taken rise - incorporating children and teens into a complete family wellness experience. Teens, children, and even tots are now going along for the 'spa-ride,' creating a unique activity for families to do together. With the rise of spas broadly associating with wellness, the total approach and commitment to improving one's health, far more families want to get there spa-on together. Today, whole families are enjoying the spa together, and more spas are finding creative ways to welcome the entire clan. READ MORE

For centuries, Native Americans, early European explorers, and visitors from around the world have flocked to natural hot springs to bathe in the healing waters. "Taking the waters" through a soak or a sip, was believed to cure almost any ailment. But over time, the popularity of this practice lost its resilience…until now. In both Europe and Japan, hot spring therapy has been an accepted and popular treatment for musculoskeletal problems for some time now, believed to help those with high blood pressure, eczema and a variety of other complaints. The recent resurgence of wellness resorts and destination spas is bringing these ancient healing bathing rituals back in vogue here in the United States. READ MORE