In the context of a hotel acquisition or new hotel construction, there are a myriad of issues that must be addressed, including a tangled web of permits and licenses that must be obtained prior to opening. Perhaps the most challenging license or permit that must be obtained is the liquor license. The difficulty, obstacles and puzzles that must be solved when obtaining a liquor license vary in complexity and intensity depending on the state in which the hotel is located, and in some cases depending further on which county and / or municipality within the state. It can be easy for outside transaction lawyers working on a hotel acquisition for the owner or management company client to overlook the difficulty and potential for delay that obtaining liquor licenses can present. READ MORE

The contractual relationship between an owner and an operator is begins with the negotiation of the underlying management agreement. The tone and evolution of that owner/operator relationship will hinge upon the resolution of the most important issues arising during the negotiation of the management agreement, with the commercial terms establishing the foundation of the financial relationship, and the allocation of liability terms establishing the parameters of the risk relationship. Determining who is responsible for the consequences and liabilities of the hospitality business is, more often than not, the most heated and highly negotiated part of a management agreement. READ MORE

A hotel's reviews can be one of its most powerful assets, as well as one of its own downfalls. As one of the most important sources of information for travelers prior to booking, a review can ultimately sway travelers to stay at your property or lead them elsewhere. That said, filtering through hundreds of thousands of reviews across multiple platforms is no easy feat, but hoteliers shouldn't dismiss this treasure trove of valuable information. The solution: data-driven technology that transforms guest feedback into actionable insights to help hoteliers understand what guests are loving at their properties, as well as areas of improvement. READ MORE

Hiring the right people is hard work, in and of itself. From casting a wide enough net to attract a variety of quality candidates, to getting the ideal hire to accept an offer, there are many pitfalls through the hiring process. There are external elements recruiters and HR leaders in the hospitality industry face that increase the level of difficulty. These include budgetary constraints, brand reputation and location. That's not to say there aren't best practices that will help to overcome these issues and ease the mind of quality candidates, getting them from prospective employee to actual hire. READ MORE

In the competitive hotel space, guests expect hotels to offer variety, creativity and excellence in not only the accommodations and services they offer, but in the ancillary activities they provide. Pools, gyms, spas and daily excursions all present a variety of risk exposures to hotels that owners and operators need to consider. In this article, we discuss new trends in activities and services provided by hotels, as well as the risks involved with each and how to mitigate them. READ MORE

Hospitality marketers are currently facing a more challenging landscape than ever when it comes to attracting and appealing to millennials. The methods used for generations past are proving to be irrelevant for this current audience, not just in where they are going, but why. And with the generation on track to make up 75 percent of all hotel guests by 2020, hospitality industry professionals should start to learn what amenities make them tick – and why they all point to Vegas. READ MORE

Evolution of the hospitality market has accelerated over the past decade with the emergence of new brands and the ever-changing needs and desires of the discerning traveler. Today's travelers are looking for new experiences that will create moments of discovery and mold memories for the future. As we draw on each destination's specific history, culture, people, and natural features, we create experiences that celebrate the place and connect guests with the unique location. We accomplish this by carefully crafting the architecture, interior design, and outdoor spaces around exclusive guest experiences. READ MORE

As more travelers desire diverse interactions, hotels and resorts have answered the call by revamping public spaces to be more engaging and energizing. Embracing natural light, merging indoor and outdoor settings and introducing venues like rooftop lounges have allowed hotels to implement the latest hotel design and architecture trends while providing guests with a new way to interact with both the property and each other. Dave Marr, senior vice president and global head of Hilton's full service brands, outlines how Hilton hotels across the portfolio have evolved public spaces through smart design and innovative natural features. READ MORE

As fresh water supplies across the country stretch thinner due to a confluence of factors, hotel developers and managers are getting squeezed. An increasing focus on water conservation from consumers and both state and local regulators has its benefits, but also creates economic drawbacks for hotel executives by decreasing the supply and increasing the price of water. This added cost raises the price of admission for both owners and consumers, but armed with the correct information and tactics, hotel executives can shrewdly save valuable dollars while playing by these new rules. READ MORE

The hospitality industry has come a long way from the time that Holiday Inn made its mark through standardization. Much of today's travel is about new experience and authenticity. Many hotel developers and brands are responding to this market segment with new construction. Heritage's experience over the past three decades suggests that a smarter and better path is through the redevelopment of the Grand Dame hotels and the adaptive reuse of vintage buildings. Both are integral to their communities and tied directly their history and character. READ MORE

Socially activated, highly charged environments, stimulating and engaging on every level: has become the norm for the hospitality industry. The never-ending demand for originality in the ever-changing world of luxury is a tough game. It takes courage to stay relevant, to take risks and to remain in the public eye. We can't expect favors, either from the Press or the Social Media, letting our failures slide. How do we stay up to the constant and increasing demand to deliver "blockbuster experiences" and "Instagram Moments" with every hotel we open or renovate? How do we stay ahead of our guest's ever changing needs and demands when our world is defined by emails and tweets, thumbs up and thumbs down? It takes a little sorcery, and sorcery is demanding. Every detail must work. No one wants to hire a Sorcerer's Apprentice. READ MORE

Hotels today can and should use F&B to establish a unique personality. As guests increasingly look to bar and dining experiences for entertainment, hotels can take advantage of their venues to express themselves and leave a lasting impression. Restaurants, bars and even the event catering service can define a hotel as local, unique, lively and entertaining. To be competitive and ensure success in the long run, hotels should pay close attention to guest preferences, the design of F&B areas and the culture of the region and neighborhood, always striving to be original. READ MORE

At the end of the day, from an owner and stakeholder perspective, business performance is an operational issue while productivity is a strategic issue. In a manner of speaking, productivity is a reflection of how efficiently business performance is achieved. Owners are in business for the long haul. A long haul can only be sustained if the means to ends are consistently efficient. It is productivity that makes return on investment a long term factor and vindicates the huge investment forked out. Stakeholders tend to sleep well knowing that an efficient system of producing business performance is at work and incrementally improving. READ MORE

In 1967, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta's revolutionary architecture introduced the modern atrium concept. At that time, soaring and expansive interior space was unexpected in urban hotel design. The public was captivated! The hotel was such a rousing success that it launched Hyatt as a major brand. The concept has since been copied in hotels the world over. Today, designing people space into hospitality is as effective as ever. It has morphed beyond the atrium to engage the public in distinctive ways while providing hotel operators flexible space that facilitates a quick response to unexpected demands now and into the future. READ MORE

Boutique hotel brands embrace who they are through a strong point of view and a propensity for great storytelling. They know they can't be all things to all people. They leverage truly local and customized narratives – that cleverly connect to the community – and provide guests with curated amenities and distinct service culture moments. These specialized environments have identified how to infuse unique experiences into travel, with a renewed spirit and true sense of hospitality. In this current hospitality climate, it's important that we start listening to our specialized, more nimble brethren – and emulate their anti-commodity mindset. They're bringing sexy back to travel … one guest experience at a time. READ MORE