Everything from clothing to condos are now produced with some degree of sustainable measures in mind. The extension of this practice to the hospitality industry might come as a surprise to some, especially with the added competition of short-term rental services such as Airbnb. However, sustainability has made its mark on the hotel industry and shows no signs of slowing down. Not only does this innovation help the environment and perpetuate social responsibility, but consumers love it. Read ahead for a more thorough investigation by Cristine Henderson, AIA, NCARB of Hoefer Wysocki of how the hospitality industry is incorporating sustainable measures to rebuild its foundations through design. READ MORE

In an ever-increasingly competitive hospitality marketplace, owners and operators look to enhance their competitive advantage by providing uniquely positive, memorable experiences. Hotel and resort owners and operators agree that a hospitality brand holds the potential to create such novel guest experiences through the amenities leaders select for the brand's identity. What is a really unique and novel amenity? A really great playground. What makes a great playground? A great playground stimulates a child's imagination, allows children to build confidence through experience and skill building opportunities and can be designed for kids of all abilities and ages. READ MORE

Providing your hotel guests with the essential items they want and need is an important ingredient of overall customer satisfaction. In this article, we'll dive into tactics you could use to identify the essentials your customers need, and discuss how the brands you stock can lead to a delightful customer experience. We'll also discuss the role local trends and sustainability can play in creating a strong customer impression. At the end of the article, you will have a good idea of how to build and maintain a continuous process to create memorable experiences for your customers. READ MORE

Wi-Fi has become the fourth utility after water, gas and electricity and its importance is growing so significantly that a hotel room cannot be sold unless Wi-Fi is working at an acceptable service level. While traditional Wi-Fi is primarily used by the hotel guests to access the internet or by the hotel staff to access back-office applications, the explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) changes the dynamic of next generation Wi-Fi design within the hotel property. The investment in Wi-Fi infrastructure today is an investment in the future and the success of your hotel. READ MORE

The rise in mobile technology (mobility) adoption continues to shift the way many industries do business today. Mobile devices have empowered consumers to make informed decisions while enterprises have given employees the means to be more productive. Hospitality is one such industry that harnesses the power of mobile technology. And why not, when most consumers are walking around with computers in their pockets all day. These same tech-savvy consumers expect premium services and are quick to share their experiences - both good and bad - with the rest of the world through social platforms. The introduction of mobility is enabling hotel and resort brands to provide better guest service. This article summarizes some of the hottest mobile technology trends for everyday hospitality operations. READ MORE

As Denver-based, hotel management and investment company, Sage Hospitality continues to expand into the independent hotel world, their Chief Technology Officer, Matthew Schwartz weighs in on a topic of discussion in their office and presumably other hotel developers worldwide – does it make sense to invest in a mobile app as an independent hotel, or are there other places hotels should be focusing their time and money on? This article explores the downside of consumer "app bloat" and looks toward more sound outlets that independents can capitalize on now while the app debate continues. READ MORE

Mobile technology has transformed the hotel experience, putting countless services and amenities right at our fingertips. The next wave of technology, already gaining momentum around the industry, will take us beyond these simple conveniences and offer a new focus on customer preferences. The hotel room of the future, powered by next-generation technology and data, will be an incredibly personalized experience where guests can control their guest room environment in the same way they are accustomed to doing at home. The benefit is twofold - guests receive all the comforts of home, while offering new levels of customer loyalty for hotels. READ MORE

Connected technology is advancing quickly and hotels must be ready to meet or exceed the experiences guests have in their homes. By examining current consumer trends, guests expect a multiple device experience integrated seamlessly with the in-room technology. Those expectations include but are not limited to streaming, voice assistants, and environmental controls. These disparate products must work together – over the same infrastructure – to deliver a simple and seamless guest experience. With some smart planning and careful consideration in selecting a solution provider, it is possible to build a technology ecosystem that benefits both guests and hoteliers. READ MORE

The vast millennial population makes them a major target group for all businesses. That's why, hoteliers must find effective ways to attract this young, tech-savvy and demanding generation. Millennials are more well-travelled and adventurous than the previous generation. Their exposure to technology sets them apart as the first to grow up fully connected. They expect something new from the hospitality industry, throughout their entire experience – from making the reservation to checkout and beyond. Read on to learn how to cater to millennial desires for customization over generalization, need to stay super connected, and appreciation for brand engagement on social media. READ MORE

Hoteliers are well-versed in the art of visual branding and the creation of ambient spaces, recognising the significance of brand image in attracting customers. Yet how a leisure brand sounds is becoming as important as how it looks when ensuring business success. But how do you create a unique brand soundtrack that best reflects specific brand values and personality? Daniel Lafferty, Director of Music and Voice at global audio branding specialist PHMG, explains how hoteliers can harness the power of audio to differentiate their venue from competitors by using the right combination of custom composed music, voice and script. READ MORE

Travel has no age limit. This is one of the many reasons it's one of the world's fastest-growing industries and enjoyed by many age groups. From baby boomers to millennials to Gen X to the growing Gen Z cohort, each group has needs that drive their purchasing behavior. Pointedly, a hotel that appeals to one group may not resonate with another, so hoteliers must deliver a custom experience that leaves their target audience wanting more. To achieve this, consider these key design strategies that have transformed the multifamily industry when designing your next hotel. READ MORE

Hotels operating in a seasonal market must be prepared to continually adjust to the drastic variations in business throughout the year. By far, one of the greatest challenges for such properties is to maintain proper staffing throughout the seasonal swings. Hotels that proactively combat staffing challenges – through tailored strategic planning and cultural efforts – will be well positioned to thrive in seasonal environments. Hiring team members during the proper season, incentive programs, referral programs and career pathing efforts all contribute to creating an "Employer of Choice" brand, which is an often overlooked yet critical factor in successful recruitment and retention. READ MORE

As hotel owners and investors discuss strategies for success in the coming year, a careful review of current market conditions is imperative. While supply in the international hotel market remains growing and strong, room rates are beginning to soften, and smart owners should now consider a brand conversion strategy to stay ahead of the curve. In this article, Javier Coll, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Apple Leisure Group, shares why a conversion, with the right brand partner, is key to beating out the competition in a potentially oversaturated market. READ MORE

Consumers are spending increasing amounts of time on mobile devices, forcing brands to rely more heavily than ever on digital marketing to drive bookings and boost revenue. Unfortunately, the ever-changing digital landscape is becoming more difficult to navigate and control, often resulting in brand safety issues. From ensuring that ads don't run next to damaging content to preventing competitors and other nefarious "squatters" from exploiting the awareness you've built, marketers must take proactive measures to protect the value of their brand. As a scalable, efficient solution, a growing number of marketers are shifting to a real-time, programmatic, platform-based strategy. Here's why. READ MORE

While some hotel executives may manage only one hotel operation, most owners and operators oversee hotel chains big and small. Executives have a large order of tasks, employees, guests and more to keep straight-all while keeping the bigger picture in mind to ensure steady revenue and growth. Having a cohesive data system is of utmost importance whether managing hotel chains or singular locations-from a revenue, profits, employee and guest standpoint. One area that often gets overlooked but can greatly impact your bottom line is waste management. READ MORE