Millennials and technological innovation are leading some of the most substantial transformations in American hotels since the business-centric 1970s. The next generation of urban hotels resemble the minimalist European model where limited amenity hotels are connected to high-amenity neighborhoods. Stripping hotels of their traditional amenities, the design of spaces becomes crucial. Architecture and design are to be used to support guests in their total hotel experience. What do these hotels look like? If the country's newest hotel brands are any indication, they will be historically rich, locally relevant, minimalist, full of multi-use space, interactive, and community- and wellness-oriented. Let's take a look … READ MORE

Woodbine Development Corporation designed, developed and opened the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio in 1992, the year of MTV VJs and Arsenio Hall. At the time, my father was calling the signals and this was the first of five similar resorts throughout the Southwest that Woodbine was responsible for developing over a period of about 15 years. The formula was pretty consistent: 300 acres, 500 guest rooms, 100,000 square feet of meeting space (or more), two or three golf courses, a water park and a few resort mascots, which have included dogs, longhorns, hawks and spray-less skunks (don't ask). READ MORE

For most of us, the process of checking into a hotel is not particularly memorable. Nor do many of us often recollect how hotels engaged our sense beyond standard guest relations. Technology has come a long way in filling this void, and hotels have made significant strides in how they engage visitors. From a purely audio-visual perspective, video - i.e., digital signage - tends to get the most attention as a branding, engagement and monetization tool. However, used appropriately, audio can deliver the same benefits in hospitality environments in hotels and resorts, and at a far lower investment point that deploying and operating a digital signage network - particularly when working across multiple sites. READ MORE

There is a generation of young people that have redefined travel for all of us. Actually, they have redefined many things for all of us! The advent of social media platforms and the influx of visually stimulating photos posted everywhere have enabled people to open their minds to new ideas. Where the unknown used to be scary, there is very little unknown these days because you can tap into new experiences from friends and strangers gaining comfort in your interests. You can follow innovators and be exposed to what others are seeing and what they are experiencing and put those ideas on your bucket list. READ MORE

As we enter into the planning period for 2018, you might be talking about revenue forecasting, occupancy rates prediction, holiday promotions - but have you factored in the winning guest feedback formula to operate a hotel successfully? This "winning formula" is one I've written about before, but here, and in my two upcoming articles, I'll be sharing specific details on how to use this formula in your 2018 planning, in order to see greater success next year. By now, you probably want to know what this formula is. READ MORE

When beginning the search for a room, guests already have certain ideas of the class of hotel they'll consider, amenities that they expect, and the price they're willing to pay. They also have an idea of how the room will be used, special considerations they will require, and how they want the experience to play out. Hoteliers need to be able to anticipate these guest expectations, even though the value perception for one guest is totally different than another, to be able to not only meet them but exceed them, and to align prices with the potential guest's budget. READ MORE

Outsourcing components of hotel operations is very much location-driven, property-specific and varies based on Ownership's investment objectives. So, while outsourcing might not be the solution for every hotel at this point in the cycle, an astute asset manager or operator should evaluate all opportunities to enhance profitability. When pursuing the employment of a third-party, performance should be closely monitored, with transparent lines of communication between owner and operator to maximize guest satisfaction. READ MORE

A decade ago it might have been socially acceptable to swim with dolphins in a hotel pool. But those days are gone. Now posting a holiday pic posing with Flipper is hugely controversial. Just ask reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who found herself in hot water after swimming with dolphins in Mexico. Or Real Housewives' Bethany Frankel, who copped a wave of social media criticism for visiting Atlantis Paradise Island's Dolphin Cay in August. READ MORE

Every year, it seems as though the hospitality industry faces more competition, new opportunities to leverage their data, and difficult organizational challenges to overcome to remain competitive in a hypercompetitive marketplace. The popularity of the sharing economy, dominating OTAs and a growing generation of often-puzzling consumers all give pause to hotels as they strategize for a more profitable future. Hotels have been feeling the heat from OTA competition for several years, causing many organizations to double down on their efforts to drive more direct bookings. Revamped loyalty programs, refined marketing campaigns and improvements to brand websites have all become primary focuses for hotel brands looking to turn the tables on their online competition. READ MORE

Revenue management tends to be one of the most challenging hospitality disciplines to define, particularly due to the constant evolution of technology. Advancements in data processing, information technology, and artificial intelligence provide our industry with expanded opportunities to reach, connect, and learn from our guests. Ultimately, the primary goals of revenue management remain constant as the ever-evolving hospitality industry matures. We must keep these fundamentals top of mind, while proactively planning for the tighter targets that lay ahead. That said, how can we embrace these innovations, operate under constricted parameters, and learn from the practices used today to achieve our same goals moving forward? READ MORE

Airbnb is less than a decade old, but it has already begun to make waves in the travel industry. The online marketplace where individuals can list their apartments or rooms for guests to book has been able to secure a surprisingly stable foothold for itself. This has caused some hoteliers to worry that there's a new competitor in the market with the potential to not only take away market share but drive prices down lower than ever. Let's take a closer look at how Airbnb fits into the industry right now and then walk through the steps of the ways your hotel revenue management strategy can be adapted to the age of Airbnb. READ MORE

Since revenue management is a relatively new and still-evolving discipline, it lacks the dedicated curriculum and the focused and formal training and education found in most schools. That makes it even more important that owners and operators remain on the constant lookout for revenue management talent-and should be prepared to seize it when it arises. The revenue management professionals in the director and above positions are working and are (for the most part) very good at their jobs. Do you have a catering assistant whose first question each morning is 'Did we sell out?' If so, you may have just found your next revenue manager! READ MORE

Hoteliers, marketing directors, and revenue managers in particular are continuously learning how to put the pieces of the puzzle together when it comes to creative and effective options for selling out room nights. Numerous challenges arise with the plethora of new distribution technology, which complicate the process of directly reaching the guest, or even controlling a hotel's presence on the variety of brand and third party websites. READ MORE

The U.S. Hispanic market is growing in both size and purchasing power, and it is an audience that should be top of mind for major hotel brands. As the largest ethnic minority in the country, this group of 57.5 million represents 17.8 percent of the total population, and is projected to increase to a whopping 28.3 percent by 20601. And with annual hotel openings tripling over the past five years, it makes sense to look at new guest segments to fill all those new rooms. READ MORE

Health and wellness experts represent a profitable branding opportunity for hoteliers worldwide. Featuring specific experts or forging alliances hotels can separate themselves from the competition and increase bookings among a new group of travelers and millennials. Hotel executives have an opportunity to leverage the physical equipment at their disposal, namely, the gyms and fitness centers within their respective properties and resorts. READ MORE