Traditionally spa and wellness operations have been centered on performance and profitability, with little regard for architectural design strategies that will allow the spa to perform efficiently and operate from a seamless experiential platform. Innovative new spa & wellness designs will have a definite impact on the guest´s experiences and expectations and will make a difference in the bottom line of the Spa. Planning how to design an operating a Spa under the seven senses is vital for the financial success of the spa, and for the creation and implementation of a memorable, impeccable and unforgettable wellness experience for the guest. READ MORE

What if you could bring the spa to your guests, in the comfort and privacy of their hotel room? Many hotels have learned they can fill a gap in the service market by offering in-room spa experiences and amenities without the need for extra staffing. Opening the door for guests to enjoy the limitless benefits of spa in their rooms for small fees boosts revenue and aligns the hotel brand with a passion for wellness experiences, which are becoming more and more sought after among traveling professionals. Do your rooms offer experiences? READ MORE

Right now, at hotel resorts across the country, guests are enjoying the rejuvenating benefits of a spa day. They treat themselves to botanical facials, sip on complimentary beverages and indulge in an aromatherapy massage. But behind the scenes, an attentive spa staff is taking steps to mitigate risk and avoid potential workers' compensation or general liability claims. Spas regularly deal with workers' compensation claims, most often repetitive motion injuries and general liability claims resulting from slip-and-fall accidents. To help mitigate risk in their facilities, there are several best practices spas can put in place. READ MORE

Hotels and resorts have increasingly become targets of terrorist attacks. Ease of access to facilities that are designed to promote welcoming hospitality to its guests and visitors make securing hotels against attacks a difficult challenge. Terrorist regard hotels and resorts as "target-rich" since guests in luxury lodging are typically affluent and potentially politically influential. Recent attacks emphatically demonstrate that today's hotel and resort security systems need to focus not only on petty criminals and intruders bent on theft, vandalism, arson or personal assaults, but must employ cutting edge technology in early threat detection of potential terrorist attacks. READ MORE

Human trafficking is a despicable crime where individuals are forced into commercial sex or labor. It is crime that affects nearly 25 million victims around the world and a crime in which, too often, hotels unknowingly play a part. The privacy offered by hotels is particularly attractive to traffickers and can be a weak spot for hotels. In this article, we look at recent trafficking incidents where hotels were involved, state laws on human trafficking impacting hotels and what hotel operators and staff can do to prevent these incidents or properly identify such a situation should they encounter one. READ MORE

With so many hotel brands in the marketplace, the one distinguishing characteristic is how well these brands create loyalty among their customers. Examine the best ways to build brand loyalty in the hotel industry by first understanding the emotional and rational drivers of hotel bookings. Both factors need to be met to build a sustainable customer base, but how can brands find the balance? Whether it be providing an experience that is more rational-driven or one that is more emotional-driven, explore ways to build experiences around the customer's wants and needs first to ultimately improve brand loyalty. READ MORE

For U.S. hotels, an active shooter situation ranks high on the list of security concerns. And without proper employee training, a hotel has no chance of handling such a situation correctly. Effective training should include local law enforcement, first responders and all employees. It should address real-life scenarios that prepare staff members to respond appropriately. It should include key roles and responsibilities for each division head. And it should include smart prevention strategies. This article walks you through the basics and provides resources hotel general managers can use to develop their own program or enhance their current training. READ MORE

These are the best of times, and the worst of times... With spa and wellness industry data showing record numbers of visitors and revenues, increases in guest demand and therapist utilization are being offset by labor shortages of licensed massage therapists and estheticians, causing decreases in room utilization. What are spa businesses doing with those unused rooms to generate revenue during this workforce challenged time? Michael Tompkins, partner with Hutchinson Consulting and Past ISPA Chairman, discusses new trends showing up in the market to enhance revenue maximization in today's spas. READ MORE

While the core of revenue management remains constant, it can be maximized to drive growth in other areas like food and beverage, golf – especially the hotel spa. The spa appeals to a variety of travelers, from the guest on vacation to professionals in need of an hour of relaxation on a business trip. In this article, hotel revenue management expert Marcella Trujillo shares her best tips and strategies for applying the process to increase revenue and financial success at hotel spas. READ MORE

Millions of dollars each year are spent on launching the finest spas the world has to offer. Yet time and again, these sumptuously-designed spas with world-class amenities and fantastic technicians begin to struggle shortly post-launch. There are several reasons why these properties start to under-perform so quickly, but the number one reason that we've seen over our 20+ years in the business is a lack of standards training from seasoned professionals. The spa industry is built on wellness, compassion, beauty, and relationships – and successful leaders in the industry have a passion for all these things. Passion alone is not enough for success in this business, however. Successful operators excel because of training. READ MORE

As people face challenges throughout life, they often need a restart button or something to give them a new, fresh perspective. Whether it is an illness, a divorce, a death, a job promotion or change in career, a new baby or a new relationship…life is hectic. Wellness travel helps to put life into perspective and find healthy outlets to make the most of a situation- creating a very fulfilling experience. Many guests find it beneficial to schedule these "resets" multiple times a year because of the difference they feel afterwards. READ MORE

Artificial intelligence will never replace the warmth and welcome of personal interaction; however, in the hospitality industry, it can be an effective tool to enhance the guest experience. AI can help smooth out touchpoints and anticipate guests' needs. While the guest is at the center of any hotel or resort experience, AI can also benefit brands with back-of-house efficiencies like improving supply chain, staffing, scheduling and more. Used correctly, AI has the potential to vastly improve the hotel guest experience. It is a tool that can make hospitality brands more profitable, but only as a complement to the human touch. READ MORE

Revenue management and marketing can seem like two different worlds. Different in many respects, many revenue and marketing teams operate without true cooperation. In this article, Marcela Trujillo with Total Customized Revenue Management (TCRM) explores the similarities and differences between revenue and marketing teams, uncovers the potential of a partnership between the two disciplines and explains how a collaboration can work to attract the perfect customer - one who will not just stay at the hotel or resort, but will also spend within the property and increase total asset revenue. READ MORE

Labor costs are a significant portion of any hotel's total operating costs. At the same time, hotel property management companies are competing with other service industries to find enough qualified (and affordable) entry-level and experienced candidates. No one wants to lower service levels or possibly negatively impact guest satisfaction. The solution applies in applying new technologies that can enhance worker productivity, job satisfaction and the overall hotel experience. This article discusses how today's best hotel task optimization software platforms can accomplish these goals and make a positive contribution to a hotel's bottom line. READ MORE

The Pod Hotels will be expanding from five to fifty properties over the next decade across North America and, eventually, globally. BD Hotels has appointed Rani Gharbie as Head of Acquisitions & Development to lead this robust expansion plan to key markets such as San Francisco, Miami, Austin, Boston, Nashville, Seattle, Toronto, and Mexico City. The Pod Hotels portfolio includes New York-based Pod Times Square, Pod 51, Pod 39 and Pod Brooklyn, as well as Pod Washington D.C. with two more hotels in the direct pipeline - Pod Philly and Pod LA. In addition, there are over ten ongoing discussions for new deals. READ MORE