Wherever your hotel happens to be, it's always possible to use your location and its natural assets to differentiate your destination from the competition-whether it's seasons or a lack of them; access to a bustling city center or a welcomed distance from one; backdrops of beaches or parkland and then some. At Mountain Shadows Resort, our development team sought to turn our desert setting (heat and all) into a hot commodity by applying an outside-in approach to design, architecture and programming. The result? Cool experiences that allow guests to admire and enjoy the great outdoors all year long. READ MORE

In today's ever-changing, fast-paced world, our exposure to what's new, what's better and what people are experiencing locally as well as globally has changed exponentially. As such, a more sophisticated traveler has become the norm which has reshaped the landscape of hotel design. No longer is it acceptable to simply satisfy guests, rather, hoteliers, developers, architects and designers are in constant pursuit of how to create spaces that "transport" guests to another place and provide them with memories that are timeless, unexpected, unforgettable and experiential. With this in mind, and with more than 30 years of experience positioning lifestyle and hospitality brands in the global marketplace, Lisa Simeone shares her insights and perspectives for delivering high-end luxury and forward-thinking authenticity through experiential design. READ MORE

Learn why integrated marketing communications is essential to your hotel's success. The essence of integrated marketing is to meld consistent brand messages across all channels to provide a seamless experience for consumers to interact with your brand. As new marketing strategies and digital platforms have evolved and launched over the past decade from Google, Facebook and Twitter to Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest, it has never been more important to have effective integration of brand messages and channels. This article will review what integrated marketing means and share how to create a multi-platform and cross-channel marketing program… READ MORE

The number of customer touchpoints between a hotel and its guests only continue to increase. In reviewing some of those touchpoints, one better understands the expertise needed to manage those moments and how hotel brands use varying methods to bring together skills sets for optimal (digital) customer experiences. How brands determine to manage the increasing touchpoints for optimal connection, will help distinguish them from the competition as they strive for continued excellence in customer contact. READ MORE

Form and function are two critical components of building design. That statement might be a no-brainer for some, but we often fail to connect how this relates to our experience of a space. It's safe to say we have all reaped the benefits of experiential design, but it was most likely unknowingly. Scott Acton, CEO and founder of Forte Specialty Contractors, shares his thoughts on experiential design and how its changing the hospitality and entertainment sector. READ MORE

In the first two articles in this series, we looked at how independent Quality Assurance programs have fallen into a conventional wisdom and modus operandi that is out of touch with their clients' and their guests' needs and then examined the challenges and relevance of QA in helping their client's assess their performance in a world increasingly guided by the megaphone of social-media reviews. In this third and last article, we look at what an ideal QA program would look like, in the hope that third-party QA companies, and/or internal QA programs are listening and decide to upgrade their assessments and programs. READ MORE

Assessors across the thousands of taxing jurisdictions in the United States are calculating the value of hotels for tax purposes. Often the most complicated part of determining the value of a property is how to include capital expenses. This problem is worsened by the lack of information assessors usually have on such expenses and projects, and the complicated rules around brand standards. In this article, Altus Group's hospitality tax specialists explore how to manage these situations through communication and information sharing through their combined seventy years of experience in property tax. READ MORE

"Experience" is the watchword for the Hospitality sector, but there is hidden exposure, both financial and physical in every operating property. As assets work to differentiate themselves by amenities, physical attributes and "one of a kind" offerings, there is the constant exposure to financial risk caused by natural and man-made physical damage to the asset as well as potential injury to guests and employees. This article identifies key issues in all of the phases of an assets operations: Development; Operational and Post-Loss Recovery. READ MORE

Hiring great people is critical to the success of a hotel or hotel tech company. It takes considerable effort and money to find employees that are the right blend of cultural and experiential fit. But hiring is only one part of the human resources equation. After going to great lengths to find the right employees, it is just as critical to keep them. This article looks at the ways many hotels are building employee engagement to increase retention, focusing on both obvious initiatives (like proper pay) and newer approaches (such as points programs). READ MORE

Just as multifamily developers aim to recreate the hotel experience, hoteliers are hoping to emulate the comforts of home. The two arenas feed into each other, spurring a friendly arms race that improves the experience of both. To compete with AirBnB and extended stay hotels for the coveted business guest, traditional hotels are taking a leaf out of the multifamily playbook. In this article, BLT Architects' Principal Eric Rahe explores how hoteliers are placing a tactful emphasis on the qualities that truly make us feel at home: personalization, continuity of routine, and a sense of belonging. READ MORE

Why is the current trend to search for the unexpected? Isn't it a risk to take away the comfort zone for our clients? Does unexpected design really favor social interaction or is the hotel just a place to sleep? What is the impact of the social life in a city of new experiences for the client? More and more designers and hotel developers are asked to create the unexpected experience and ones that tell an exciting story. READ MORE

How can hotels design the unexpected and prepare for what lies ahead, anticipating guests' wants and needs? Are there properties or spaces that are more adept at delivering what will meet or exceed guests' expectations? Conversions are becoming increasingly popular as they not only bring a sense of exploration and discovery, but also a strong narrative. In addition to having a sense of place and history, conversions also enhance sustainability and are able to create a brand. This article will examine those design elements that help set the stage for delivering elusive and invaluable hotel "unexpected" experiences that are top-of-mind. READ MORE

A labor rule was set to go into effect during the final days of the Obama Administration that would have called for almost doubling the minimum salary an employee must earn before he or she becomes exempt from overtime pay. Owing much to pressure from our industry, which would have been significantly affected, the rule was prevented from taking effect by the courts and summarily shelved. For those workers who were affected, especially those who were extended the raise then had it taken away, it was not only breaking news, but heartbreaking news, and made for low morale and heightened distrust. What now? READ MORE

Hoteliers in the Golden State better pay heed to a recent decision by the California Supreme Court and think twice before neglecting to pay workers for routine, albeit trivial, duties that are handled off the clock. The ruling in Troester v. Starbucks Corporation severely limits a hotel or resort operator's ability to rely on the so-called "de minimis defense," an argument that California employers have, for years, successfully asserted in wage and hour litigation brought by employees seeking compensation for brief tasks undertaken pre- or post-shift. As the author explains, hospitality employers, in the wake of Troester, are encouraged to leverage available technology to capture all of the time their employees actually work on any given day. READ MORE

Hotel developers are realizing financial, marketing and operational advantages of building more than one brand on a single site and in many cases sharing a single building. Multi-branded hotel developments usually share back-of-house operations, administration, staff, recreational facilities and meeting rooms, but in order to maintain brand recognition and foster brand loyalty, they most often have separate entrances, separate lobbies and individual architecture and decor corresponding to each one's particular brand standards. In this article we will look at this relatively new product, how it is being developed today and what the prospects are for future development. READ MORE