tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89409574412616923982024-02-08T00:54:09.905-05:00Secrets of a Thriving HotelThe Magazine of Essentials for a Successful Hotel Business Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-87425397576086393692020-09-29T23:09:00.004-04:002020-09-30T20:58:53.457-04:00Intimate – The New Wedding Trend Creates Revenue Opportunities<p>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">COVID-19 shut down
corporations, government agencies, entire seasons of sports,
classrooms, restaurants, movie and TV productions, live
entertainment, food suppliers, local businesses, churches and
synagogues, and even travel. The list goes on and on, but what
COVID-19 absolutely could not and cannot stop, even with all of its
powerful devastation, is love.</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Love has a way of
coming to life unexpectedly, even during the harshest seasons of
life. Hearts will always
find a way to connect. Love will bloom wherever it is planted.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I often wonder which
will be greater when we look back years down the road from now: <i>the
number of breakups during COVID, or the number of couples that found
each other.</i> That is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain. Couples
are still saying those short, sweet, life-changing words: “I Do!”</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Wedding planning
sure has drastically changed in light of our new world-wide normal.
Gone are the days, at least for a time to come, maybe even years, in
which large scale weddings are considered appropriate or 100% safe
for attendees. Let's face it, large gatherings are still risky, and
we haven't experienced a second wave of COVID - yet. </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Large weddings end
up testing everyone's nerves, wallets and relationships in one way or
another, so maybe it's not a bad thing couples have a new reality as
they begin their journey in life together.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">What does this mean
for hotels, lodging and food-and-beverage businesses?</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">After all, hotels
are not necessarily considered wedding venues even though they
typically provide mostly lodging for wedding groups.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Revival of Romance -
A ceremo</span></b></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA5HcHWVQIsQGI_xXAigNnu-rLCxhG1Jqt93T7YY0g8rArU0247IP7V2S4_fbuh5oyJtzTQuIGpA8U42Rvq883sBMttyzxkHARu3wi9OQ4F2D6bN8dlU4TPv2nOAJFD6JA8EqkqRbc_0/s2048/jonathan-borba-JiaYVFD3isE-unsplash.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA5HcHWVQIsQGI_xXAigNnu-rLCxhG1Jqt93T7YY0g8rArU0247IP7V2S4_fbuh5oyJtzTQuIGpA8U42Rvq883sBMttyzxkHARu3wi9OQ4F2D6bN8dlU4TPv2nOAJFD6JA8EqkqRbc_0/s320/jonathan-borba-JiaYVFD3isE-unsplash.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ny for two or just a few.</span></b></span></span></h2><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"> While some may see
this as a harsh reality, the reality is - wedding ceremonies in their
purest forms are meant to be intimate.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">As couples begin to
feel more comfortable in travel and planning a wedding, they are
having to get creative to keep their ceremony and celebration as
small as possible while still making it a memorable occasion for a
lifetime.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA5HcHWVQIsQGI_xXAigNnu-rLCxhG1Jqt93T7YY0g8rArU0247IP7V2S4_fbuh5oyJtzTQuIGpA8U42Rvq883sBMttyzxkHARu3wi9OQ4F2D6bN8dlU4TPv2nOAJFD6JA8EqkqRbc_0/s2048/jonathan-borba-JiaYVFD3isE-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@jonathanborba?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Jonathan
Borba</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/valentine%27s-day?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></i></span></p>
</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, not only
do they have COVID-19 to consider, they also may have a lower budget
because incomes have been reduced for so many people. This provides
an opportunity for your hotel business.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Couples are looking
for intimacy and space for a small celebration. I personally see this
as a refreshing reset for wedding ceremonies where they are scaled
back to the most important elements and a more pure celebration of
love.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h2><h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h2><h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></b></span></h2><h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></b></span></span></h2><h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Recognize the Potential.<br /></span></b></span></span></h2><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Maybe you haven't
considered your hotel or business as a wedding venue or promoted it
as such before now, but there is potential here for you to capture some of the
revenue other small businesses in the wedding industry have lost due
to the Coronavirus.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimldOCd4W7TESIHrgU8AWzfcqotcRJcD38OlcT0hvBn_2GPneZBACnngmla_VPs6mrU3YH3_UMOBYaErAQLAh49wJrTWllQreFSHgNSOKNGd9xtGzH7l89hcMD8P1hghdp1IfcPc_3f0o/s2048/nathan-dumlao-8Lq-EsfI9Po-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimldOCd4W7TESIHrgU8AWzfcqotcRJcD38OlcT0hvBn_2GPneZBACnngmla_VPs6mrU3YH3_UMOBYaErAQLAh49wJrTWllQreFSHgNSOKNGd9xtGzH7l89hcMD8P1hghdp1IfcPc_3f0o/s320/nathan-dumlao-8Lq-EsfI9Po-unsplash.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@nate_dumlao?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Nathan
Dumlao</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/intimate-wedding-ceremony?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></i></span></p>
</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Your meeting spaces
that are sitting vacant –</span> </b>could they be converted into an intimate
wedding space instead of canceled receptions or business meetings?</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Your outdoor or
lobby spaces –</b></span> could any of these be intimate areas for a small
wedding? Maybe you have other spaces within your hotel that would be suitable as well.<br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Your nearby local
natural/scenic areas –</b> </span>are they nearby where you could incorporate
them into your offerings?</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Local photographers
/ wedding vendors –</b> </span>could you join together for a creative,
intimate wedding ceremony package?</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Refresh Your Special Packages.<br /></span></b></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Maybe it is time for
you to reach out to couples looking for their perfect location in
spite of COVID-19.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">At the minimum,
couples need a space for their ceremony, an officiant, and
potentially a great photographer to capture the moment, and the
obvious hotel reservation. Consider what you could possibly do with
that <i>starting point.</i></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">It is quite possible and feasible
to offer simple ceremony/elopement packages. </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">You could also provide
extra wedding elements for additional fees, such as a
table/decorative stand for decorations and/or candles, a backdrop –
it could be anything else they might would need for a basic wedding
that you already have at your hotel or can easily acquire.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Whatever you can do
to make it easy for the couple is a plus for your location -
including recommendations for flowers, wedding cakes and catering in
your area.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Couples are getting creative. They need a venue for their creative wedding ideas and planning. They are seeking new, available, affordable options.<br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Couples are opting
to get married just about any day of the week right now seeing how
COVID-19 has changed everything. This is a plus for your hotel.<br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">I hope you will see
this new and evolving wedding trend as an opportunity for you to either update or expand your
current hotel services.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">May your hospitality
shine bright as you engage with couples anxiously waiting to say I
DO!</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>- Rebekah J. Fishel, SecretsofAThrivingHotel.com</i></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i></i></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HtwDgUDezd93ii5UWc8pqR_KU88WVUqnQ64LreC82W7hTRmbxom1en7CdQyWZ5tAKoesjM2gE5a_qkw5F257Vwyba7eIhklYjtInEfYVJEB4N9LPowyAPGcmvO63dgO8HCf83ic7C0Q/s2048/rayyu-maldives-photographer-j6bZpcQNr8Y-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HtwDgUDezd93ii5UWc8pqR_KU88WVUqnQ64LreC82W7hTRmbxom1en7CdQyWZ5tAKoesjM2gE5a_qkw5F257Vwyba7eIhklYjtInEfYVJEB4N9LPowyAPGcmvO63dgO8HCf83ic7C0Q/s320/rayyu-maldives-photographer-j6bZpcQNr8Y-unsplash.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo by Rayyu
Maldives</i></span></p>
</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /> </i></span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wedding Venue Facts:</b></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Selecting a venue is the #1 wedding vendor hired by couples.</span></b></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly 90% of wedding planning is done online.</span></b></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The wedding industry in the United States alone generates over 60 billion dollars a year in wedding and ceremony related expenses. (73.6 bn projected for 2020)</span></b></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Couples on average spend roughly $28,000 on their ceremony/reception (Pre-COVID).</span></b></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;"><i>sources: WeddingWire.com 2020 Newlywed Report and </i></span></span><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>ibisworld.com </i></span> </span> <br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-9572924280944850982020-06-05T05:33:00.001-04:002020-06-05T05:33:30.761-04:00COVID-19 Provides New Challenges and New Opportunities for HotelsPeople are starting to make future travel plans but are still concerned, as we all are, about returning to a sense of normality while staying safe and healthy. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl7bGxLHOO2oo0tT49H73pX9aurp0xVQ-uz_v8j-O4_YGgAGXS0C516CtuMGeBxb5qZ7Gh4waVwK7nTTJMwVED0kEQWlqnERmgBDocf0MQZdjRN2N7RtFjo32u4EHlh2bAK61S2nn2ZU/s1600/sara-kurfess-cMQUNweoDws-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl7bGxLHOO2oo0tT49H73pX9aurp0xVQ-uz_v8j-O4_YGgAGXS0C516CtuMGeBxb5qZ7Gh4waVwK7nTTJMwVED0kEQWlqnERmgBDocf0MQZdjRN2N7RtFjo32u4EHlh2bAK61S2nn2ZU/s320/sara-kurfess-cMQUNweoDws-unsplash.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@stereophototyp?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Sara
Kurfeß</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/covid-19?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now more than ever, during these times of uncertainty, travelers want to feel confident about their choices, health and safety throughout their experience with your hotel even before they arrive. This is just as important for independent hotel owners to embrace as it is for leaders of larger, more recognized hotel brands.<br />
<br />
As you anticipate an increase in hotel customers and traffic throughout your business, how can you prepare a safe environment for them while still providing the engaging experience they have come to expect and appreciate?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. Commitment - </b>Your mindfulness and commitment to the health and safety of your guests has to surpass any level of commitment you embraced in the past. Your awareness and level of commitment will show in the details of cleanliness and transparency you share with each guest. This has to be ongoing. As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic is not going away any time soon, and neither are the valid concerns of travelers.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Expectations -</b> It is important to recognize that the expectations of travelers might be different as well. If they have one question for you it might be something as this: "Will I be safe at your hotel or is it too risky to make a reservation to stay there?" That can seem like a heavy burden and a unique challenge for you as hotel owners and employees. Travelers need to feel that their health and safety is important to you just as it is for them and their families. Some hotels are displaying cleaning checklists in each room for items sanitized. Others are simply detailing their ongoing efforts on their website. Just keep in mind, travelers will definitely be letting you know what is most important to them as we continue to evolve in this new way of life.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkU0rJdHC5HPVuAWZ5QoLQ53Cn94VJfNF5OLGjWn3VkGl5tNNqYNPfaQXBw2nA1LKSR1W-p_DwerOQF0erLMpxPxWldoqOqWVDin97m_4j6nyufHFiDWviyBIhu6t1VanTLkIFnTt2FI/s1600/roberto-nickson-h42RoNMo6G0-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkU0rJdHC5HPVuAWZ5QoLQ53Cn94VJfNF5OLGjWn3VkGl5tNNqYNPfaQXBw2nA1LKSR1W-p_DwerOQF0erLMpxPxWldoqOqWVDin97m_4j6nyufHFiDWviyBIhu6t1VanTLkIFnTt2FI/s320/roberto-nickson-h42RoNMo6G0-unsplash.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@rpnickson?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Roberto
Nickson</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/working-on-laptop?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3. Flexibility and Options - </b>Revisit your own website and booking process. How can you provide more flexibility for guests when it comes to making reservations, changing reservation dates, and even canceling reservations? Some major brands are offering multiple booking options, with at least one rate option allowing for more reservation flexibility, with other options clearly listed as non-refundable or with their standard cancellation policy. Be willing to be flexible whenever possible, which involves educating your staff on how they can best assist guests. This will empower guests to have a sense of control when they experience unexpected changes with their travel plans.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Transparency -</b> This is very important for the future success of your hotel business. Be transparent with your hotel guests in every way possible. Acknowledge their legitimate concerns. Genuinely state your commitment to provide a clean and safe place to lodge. What changes have you made to your cleaning practices? What can guests expect at your hotel? Guests are asking and looking for that information. Be transparent with your booking/cancellation policies. Be willing to be flexible whenever you can. However, make sure your policies are stated in a clear manner. Update your website as needed so information is up-to-date and accurate. Travelers want to be informed. <br />
<br />
<b>5. Adaptability -</b> It is very important for you to stay informed with local, state and federal guidelines as they may change periodically. Also, more attention to maintaining an extra clean, sanitized hotel facility (including frequent touch spots and key cards) requires effort from everyone - every day, every shift. Consistency will go a long way in travelers recognizing all of your efforts and will help them relax and simply enjoy their stay at your hotel.<br />
<br />
People and businesses will be reappearing as travelers with a new mindset. As you probably already know, some things within the hotel industry will never change, such as the beauty of genuine hospitality. These uncertain, challenging times provide new opportunities to engage even more, to reassure your guests, and to invest in the future success and reputation of your hotel.<br />
<br />
<b>Hotel Owners:</b> <i>I would like to hear from you. Has your hotel business been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? What changes have you experienced? Have you modified your business practices?</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-91100937488702245982020-04-01T16:29:00.000-04:002020-04-22T17:48:44.199-04:00A COVID-19 Hotel Contingency Plan From A Seasoned Hotel Manager<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbOwnV99y7Ity0N3VHYFl7d9W9jw7FidxGzD98fXyGWYJMbChFXkt5ovkEpOCTtEDejdD4u-Qi2D73II4shbA3wQHkYIe2Z-MNcAW-vqkzuOiC5Ly63XZij4EGWaFNzU8LAHRmB4BQ5Y/s1600/covid-response-hotels-sth456189.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="581" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbOwnV99y7Ity0N3VHYFl7d9W9jw7FidxGzD98fXyGWYJMbChFXkt5ovkEpOCTtEDejdD4u-Qi2D73II4shbA3wQHkYIe2Z-MNcAW-vqkzuOiC5Ly63XZij4EGWaFNzU8LAHRmB4BQ5Y/s320/covid-response-hotels-sth456189.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #073763;">Contributed by Rocco Santopietro April 1st, 2020</span></i> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XxdpjmpIyny5FvVptpHwjpXK3_WcNbNFNvsKY2WF4pEownVFg4BeuHbcK2oEI7txPv68n2DowGINJJTEVRGGyKnjZoK5zxDEWOHDSEGB1EVP0H_il0DsFMmgbshxrHzHw4toiZaFwFw/s1600/covid-response-hotels-sth456193.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="336" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XxdpjmpIyny5FvVptpHwjpXK3_WcNbNFNvsKY2WF4pEownVFg4BeuHbcK2oEI7txPv68n2DowGINJJTEVRGGyKnjZoK5zxDEWOHDSEGB1EVP0H_il0DsFMmgbshxrHzHw4toiZaFwFw/s200/covid-response-hotels-sth456193.png" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">As
a seasoned hotelier with over 30 years, in the business, I have worked
through four previous recessions, two Revolutions, and several “Acts of
God” ranging from tropical storms/hurricane, inundation to earthquake.
Apart from physical damages, injuries and loss of life, the aftermath of
those events do always carry an economic impact.</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'd like to provide insights into what we should do as we face the sixth recession since the 1970s and, from the outlook the deadliest in economic terms. If we have not preserved cash, for contingency purposes, the financial portion of this brief article is perhaps the most critical. Although the human aspect is close and dearest to my heart, the financial implications weighs heavily, and could lead to closure of our business. Here is my suggested plan for recovery, not from COVID-19, but from the economic damages it is causing.</span></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Financial Relief </b></span></span></span></b></h3>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
most critical first step, if is to project our expenses for the next
120 days. This requires contacting the lender and asking for some type
of relief. Remember that despite all governments are implementing
incredible measures to protect economies, businesses are being given
routes to survival. Nevertheless, Bureaucracy don’t sleep! therefore in
order to avoid any later claims, it is wise to issue a forbearance
letter requesting a 120-day period of no payments as a first step and
additional requests for relaxed debt-service coverage ratios and others are logical as well, if the Government hasn’t yet issued any relief
measure to help the industry. Ensure that your request to the lender
includes your commitment to the hotel, a new forecast for the balance of
2020 and history of your guest service scores, quality assurance
reviews and a reminder of your timely payment record. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most
Large chains will be open to some type of relief and we will need that. Government and the local tourism authority and city officials will be
important calls as relief will come from many government sources.
Preserving cash is so critical that even if you just received 120 days
relief from Transient Occupancy Tax, it would make your cash flow
improve. Suppliers can be very forgiving if we have been loyal and
current with our payments and might be able to provide services at a
discount, now is the time to consider how those businesses can
reciprocate by supporting each other. Utility services have not been
tested in this environment, but it is worth a try. All in-house
contracts should be reviewed. Landscaping and trash removal, copiers and
any services must be scrutinized. We must prioritize supplier payments
and reach out to national providers for deferred payments. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most difficult part of this is the layoff of staff. They must fully understand that there will be schedule reductions and furloughs or layoffs. If we can keep their insurance intact with hopes that they can return to work relatively soon, they will be grateful. I have seen many properties going into panic and enforcing immediately
layoffs and vertical cuts, remember when laying off you still have to
pay severance, as this is unchartered territory my advice is to keep
your staff eliminating just new hiring and excess staff, Honesty and the way we communicate with our colleagues is the key, as the situation is equal for everybody they will understand a salary reduction and a period of unpaid leave. There are so many resources for them from the government and from us in the form of information. We are considering a voucher that our team members can use while navigating this crisis.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span>
<br />
<h3>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Demand Generation </b></span></span></span></b></h3>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOYyItTtY_K9-14xKCNG2qw8E9R2VRSSOwOmnEjkDbttSgc0qBVFL7bCWCaOwFtKoAVT_oM6r8-VScuQM8wzN-dgpHtyxr8DYNHqXxGJgGlTJZBK9yN3qpaYMmxa3bgeIk9wNtte3Z0Q/s1600/covid-response-hotels-sth456190.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="341" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOYyItTtY_K9-14xKCNG2qw8E9R2VRSSOwOmnEjkDbttSgc0qBVFL7bCWCaOwFtKoAVT_oM6r8-VScuQM8wzN-dgpHtyxr8DYNHqXxGJgGlTJZBK9yN3qpaYMmxa3bgeIk9wNtte3Z0Q/s320/covid-response-hotels-sth456190.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It
is important to reach out to local community organizations to see what
is going on in the community. While we may be told that social media
should go silent, I say engage! We are part of the tissue of our
community. When we posted on Facebook that we had suites at a reasonable
rate for those who wanted to self-isolate, we got questions about
whether our fitness rooms were open, how we were serving food and more.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The key element is how we communicate, but most importantly is to answer honestly.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In our case, we allow four guest at a time to reserve the fitness room for 45 minutes.
We sanitize it after every use and hence can get four guest in per
hour. For buffet food, we do not allow guests to touch anything. Our
employees will serve what our guests want or alternatively we can
deliver the food to rooms/residence. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Contact
embassies and other non-profits, local care providers to see if there
are partnership opportunities. Contact Colleges and universities for
students unable to stay in dorms and those working remotely to see if
they would like the convenience of a room that provides Wi-Fi, no
clutter, a desk, a place to lay down and rest, a fitness room, pool,
food, beverage, adult beverage, basic retail services and in some cases
much more. is time for sobering reality you should not count on any real
turnaround until mid-May, perhaps even longer, and when the market will
start coming back it will be at levels that only feel good because of
where we are today.</span></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Revenue Management Strategies </b></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV3xtFuX-AvITWshrwgBQvjLnIN6RoXS8okYHw902lBXXKiGzlHuzJ97Ym81aGZw32W45Sn5e3wJe_u-MSHpMctx1ClLSPcglvpKj-MqtS6ZVK2xqfpoLgbGe3XMwnqQvbkAEUR0lN3Y/s1600/covid-response-hotels-sth456191.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV3xtFuX-AvITWshrwgBQvjLnIN6RoXS8okYHw902lBXXKiGzlHuzJ97Ym81aGZw32W45Sn5e3wJe_u-MSHpMctx1ClLSPcglvpKj-MqtS6ZVK2xqfpoLgbGe3XMwnqQvbkAEUR0lN3Y/s200/covid-response-hotels-sth456191.png" width="198" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>All our financial ratios in less than a week</b></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b> </b><b>have gone out of the windows. As a matter of fact, this is “Ground Zero”. Hotels in all segments - all over the world have experienced drops in occupancy, average daily rate, and revenue per available room. We cannot any longer compare current hotel performance to that of the previous months, let alone previous year.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">Remember
this is level playing field. Your hotel is not the only one that has
stopped operating, 95% of the hotel worldwide is in the same situation.
Dropping rates is certainly not the answer and will not recover enough
revenues to cover the discounting. While the pressure to reduce rate is
understandable, we should exercise caution in manipulating rates because
of the potential negative long-term effects on profitability. These
actions just cause price wars in the long run. My advice is to keep your
cool and be a price leader also in rough times. Your comp. set will follow (eventually). In this unusual environment, when all over the
world hotels have come to a standstill the best practice is to refocus
and reshape our pricing strategy based on two scenarios: </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">Price – based Methods</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b> • Use opaque distribution channel </b>– that allows us to reduce rates while hiding the discount from the customer, that would permit to sell additional rooms while still protecting rate and brand image.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span>Targeted rate cuts </b>- Discounted rates could be offered to selected market segments - building effective rate fences that limit the discounts to specific segment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span></b></span></span><b>Bundle services</b> - Creating a package that bundles a multiple-night stay (e.g., stay two nights, get another one free) or bundle the room with other services at the hotel(e.g., spa treatment, special events), it will help disguise your room rates.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span></b></span></span></span></span><b>Unbundle rooms </b>-
Another approach is to base our rate only on our core room product and
charge additional amounts for any other services that guests might wish
to use (like low cost airlines). This should be used for limited period
and in specific segment to generate demand only, for luxury hotel has a
potential downfall as it might spark diminished customer satisfaction
especially in returning and loyalty program guests.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">Non - price Methods</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><b>Create strategic partnerships</b> - Another approach is to create strategic relationships
with distribution channels. Remember after COVID-19 tsunami, people
would more likely travel locally rather than internationally. Focus on
local distribution paying the same commission (whether travel agents or
third-party intermediaries). They may be willing to deflect their
business to you, and you would not need to cut rates.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><b>Compete on quality</b>
– Highlight your USP vs a price reduced room with competition (e.g.
Service levels, reduced amenities). Boost your offering (e.g. example,
and extended breakfast times, free pick up and drop off). This is the
right time to retrain your team to new services and keep them busy and motivated.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><b>Focus your loyalty program</b>
- Reward loyalty program members. Reduce for a limited time the points
needed to redeem a free night’s stay, double the points for every night
spent. You will certainly have more engagement with your loyal guests.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><b>Develop additional revenue sources</b>
– Remember most likely your guest would be Local or regional when
reopening. Try and add additional revenue from your outlet, through
promotion and add-ons, events. This would motivate your guests to spend
more time in the hotel.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"> • </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><b>Reveal your strategic intentions </b>–
Operate from a position of strength, let your competitors know what
your plans are, let them know if your operating costs are lower or if
you have reserves that will allow you to withstand a prolonged price
war.</span></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Operational Efficiencies and Business Alternatives</b></span></span></h3>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryRItYe8YANwYn580dkokqfSRJQf-nxDUBhyW6d3xJ0HGMDJHzyzDqe2MRBIs80N_vA3OYksp_qcuCa60g02wezQ5JNLF70Rzp15Gkb_Ln1VrXdqgXHsf921ZIBc3M9ohyphenhyphenM-dshgVG6U/s1600/covid-response-hotels-sth456192.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="331" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryRItYe8YANwYn580dkokqfSRJQf-nxDUBhyW6d3xJ0HGMDJHzyzDqe2MRBIs80N_vA3OYksp_qcuCa60g02wezQ5JNLF70Rzp15Gkb_Ln1VrXdqgXHsf921ZIBc3M9ohyphenhyphenM-dshgVG6U/s320/covid-response-hotels-sth456192.png" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
first step is to ramp up our sanitation procedures in all areas. We
can reduce our hotel’s room inventory by closing off a section or floor,
saving on utility consumption, staff manning and supplies and by
carrying maintenance work that is difficult to do when the hotel is at
full capacity.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Housekeeping services can be operated on a request-only basis. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Contacting guests in advance to ensure that they are still planning to travel is prudent. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If
all else fails, Get in touch with the local Government, Red Cross, ONG.
There will be a need for rooms for those who test positive for
COVID-19, but are not ill, those who have mild cases and if that market
is not appealing, there are the relief medical teams coming from abroad
who really need housing.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At the end of the day, this is about compassion for employees and surviving the worst economic challenge many of us will ever face together.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We
will survive and we must remember the toll that this event is imposing
on our society, and those who are victims of this virus.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">May our luck turn for the better and soon!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Contributed by Rocco Santopietro | April 1st, 2020</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ01HlbGV-O8UJzkviH4I7D3aLIb7T5YkX-ugvIhFA9oZH-gFqT34gwTHjtFakbpH5A_urpU4oElTQEdwLj1qJQW6Q6iiwk86kt3V41AmwRgW03dxBOxFo8XFChAWxGwvVld-zS43qRZs/s1600/Rocco-Santopietro.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ01HlbGV-O8UJzkviH4I7D3aLIb7T5YkX-ugvIhFA9oZH-gFqT34gwTHjtFakbpH5A_urpU4oElTQEdwLj1qJQW6Q6iiwk86kt3V41AmwRgW03dxBOxFo8XFChAWxGwvVld-zS43qRZs/s200/Rocco-Santopietro.jpeg" width="200" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i>Rocco Santopietro is an experienced General Manager of lifestyle
resorts, pre-opening and strategic planning, refurbishment, and
P&L (profit and loss) responsibility.</i></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-53066356004110027072020-03-29T12:11:00.000-04:002020-03-29T12:11:12.139-04:00Today's Crossword Puzzle for Travelers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFg0q6f5sekG3LTd3sr5CKsAh0LDg1I-HXzAjfystukBmxnXPOLJcAFrj_ddffQplBjNJ2l6HPk9OdskZpoFMlM9gnFq77H7Puv7oxneHAnYYRytsiseHRFZCKG4-dwqXAdtPlgGQtWc/s1600/crosswordcorona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFg0q6f5sekG3LTd3sr5CKsAh0LDg1I-HXzAjfystukBmxnXPOLJcAFrj_ddffQplBjNJ2l6HPk9OdskZpoFMlM9gnFq77H7Puv7oxneHAnYYRytsiseHRFZCKG4-dwqXAdtPlgGQtWc/s320/crosswordcorona.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-22902352977911862932020-03-24T02:52:00.000-04:002020-03-24T03:06:27.576-04:00For a Time Like This - Dr. Elvis sings a song of hopeFor a time like this - Dr. Elvis Francois @ Mayo Clinic in MN shares a song of hope for humanity. <br />
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="1035" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Felvis.francois.3%2Fvideos%2F10100749134625044%2F&show_text=1&width=267" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="267"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-57170359282721282132019-05-25T13:27:00.000-04:002019-05-25T13:27:51.083-04:00The Significance of HospitalityWhich element of service is often neglected and underdeveloped, yet is probably the most important detail for hotel businesses or professionals in the hotel industry?<br />
<br />
It is very important to recognize the significance of this element of service - hospitality.<br />
<br />
The quality of your hospitality influences everything that is essential to your level of success: <i>Your reputation/brand, your number of return guests, your revenue, and your additional rewards, which include a great place to work and a bright future for your business or professional career.</i><br />
<br />
Hospitality is fundamental and basic to the hotel and lodging industry - past, present and future. Hospitality provides essential services for travelers - necessity, leisure or luxury. It is important to all individual customers and to businesses, so hospitality must always be important to hotel business owners and to professionals working within the hotel industry as well.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Hospitality is a combination of attitude and services. Good-excellent reviews result from having a balanced presence of both. If something is lacking in either one of these elements for a guest, you should expect a negative review to follow. That indicates very clearly you have control of your own reputation.</span></i><br />
<br />
Your attitude and quality of services define you. Like it or not, guests will label and rate your hotel mainly on your hospitality or your lack of it. We all know you cannot have a hotel business without hotel guests. Even if your hotel property and facility is lacking and needs some updating or renovation, you will find that good, warm hospitality will help buffer a guest's disappointment during their stay. We see this frequently mentioned in hotel reviews.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span></b><i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"This hotel was a bit outdated, but the service was great, and the rooms were very clean! I would definitely stay here again."</span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Check-in was a breeze. The guy at the desk acknowledged me as soon as I arrived even though it was a busy night. He was very efficient and had me to my room in no time. I think his name is Patrick. My room needed some new furniture, but had everything I needed and was clean."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"This may be an older hotel, but the service was great! Breakfast was good too, even had healthy options and snacks to go."</span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
You may have a beautiful hotel property for guests to enjoy, but they will surely notice your lack of hospitality - every time.<br />
<br /><i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I thought this would be a perfect hotel. Looked very modern. Pool was amazing, but the staff was so rude! I wouldn't stay there again if you paid me!"</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"They had several nice restaurants on property to choose from which was super convenient. The girl at check-in was busy on her cellphone and didn't even acknowledge me and several other guests waiting to check-in. She acted like she could care less we were there and it was more important for us to wait on her. Then she had our reservations mixed up. Even though the food was great at their restaurants and the bar was nice, I probably won't go back."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The lobby was beautiful and upscale, but the room was disgusting! Looked like the sheets had not been changed. The desk clerk acted annoyed I brought it to his attention. The bathroom could have been cleaner too. I found some hairs underneath the sink." </span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
Regardless of changing trends within the industry, hospitality will continue to be the basic cornerstone from which a hotel business is built, and will ultimately determine/influence the measure of success throughout the life of the business. A low standard of genuine hospitality represents a tarnished reputation<i> </i>and guarantees you a disastrous and uncertain future.<br />
<br />
"Few guests complain to us about our hospitality during their stay," you say. If guests are not returning to stay with you again for another great lodging experience or they are not sharing positive reviews and feedback, then simply put, you are not outstanding. You have to be outstanding if you want to be successful.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPxEQcXOfgKTIsWv6yosa1_RFG8dpJljpOkgbq9zuLvhgIdlCc342TBk3DK57Is_biq6pN6fX9uWdpLHQaDI2GXb_L8A7Wu_2GGtuPtEkMbHHWf0RznELij3PTtmMsndk9L9F1IMAMkw/s1600/aaron-burden-45056-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPxEQcXOfgKTIsWv6yosa1_RFG8dpJljpOkgbq9zuLvhgIdlCc342TBk3DK57Is_biq6pN6fX9uWdpLHQaDI2GXb_L8A7Wu_2GGtuPtEkMbHHWf0RznELij3PTtmMsndk9L9F1IMAMkw/s320/aaron-burden-45056-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A genuine, welcoming smile is memorable and makes customers smile with a little more happiness than before they arrived at your hotel. If nothing else, they will remember your hospitality.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hospitable treatment of guests must be more than just an option, it must
be standard operating procedure. If you want to be outstanding compared
to other hotel organizations or professional peers, you have to raise
your standard and level of personal expectations and be consistent with your efforts.<br />
<br />
Successful hotels have outstanding leadership and outstanding employees
consistently delivering outstanding service. There is no complicated
formula to figure out.<br />
<br />
It makes sense to be impressionable for all the right
reasons so you can establish a good reputation and so you can experience
the financial rainfall and continue to grow your business.<br />
<br />
Hospitality will drive the success of your hotel business or professional career far beyond what you could possibly imagine compared to simply hanging an Open for Business sign or trying to draw in traffic from a great website.<br />
<br />
There is a catch though. You must be consistent to benefit and see results. Your hospitality needs to be shared in generous amounts with every guest. You also need to pay close attention to how your interpretation or level of hospitality is being received from from a guests perspective. Is it coming across as genuine? If not or if there is inconsistency present, guests will spot it, and your efforts will be ineffective.<br />
<br />
<b>Secrets of a Thriving Hotel is challenging you to evaluate and elevate your hospitality. Don't neglect to recognize and utilize the most significant detail for your hotel business or professional career in the hotel industry.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>How is hospitality influencing your hotel business? Please contact us. We would love to hear from you!</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-57636434128623637852019-01-16T12:37:00.001-05:002019-05-25T13:52:49.666-04:00Hospitality - Introduction to New Series<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeEjw42FafkcZhghWJDuc_TRCT002hhztpI3OfzTwXup_g8iuy2cUn9CgNk7hc6Ty5pbTS18MSNHVOZG5v-R97rfIQ7FqDLxopMyCdtMTKsYwh0Fz_mFvLnlnI6QumquHGLnB3nAZ_ko/s1600/rawpixel-596094-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeEjw42FafkcZhghWJDuc_TRCT002hhztpI3OfzTwXup_g8iuy2cUn9CgNk7hc6Ty5pbTS18MSNHVOZG5v-R97rfIQ7FqDLxopMyCdtMTKsYwh0Fz_mFvLnlnI6QumquHGLnB3nAZ_ko/s320/rawpixel-596094-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a>As we embark on what Secrets of a Thriving Hotel hopes is a prosperous year for you and your hotel business - 2019, we are going to explore and share with you a new series about the heart and soul of any successful hotel organization - hospitality.<br />
<br />
If you pause and consider the staggering market size of the global hotel industry from 2014 - 2017 (in billion U.S. dollars), you will recognize the blur of red dots on a global hotel map. According to Statista, the retail value of the global hotel industry went from $466.77 billion in 2014 to $570.18 billion in 2017.<br />
<br />
That is a lot of money that also represents millions of hotel businesses similar to yours.<br />
<br />
Imagine how it must be for travelers as they try to pick a hotel for their next travel experience. Is it possible for you to capture more business than the next red dot on the map, meaning your competition? Can you have true measurable success throughout 2019 and beyond?<br />
<br />
If you really want to be successful in the hotel industry as a business, you will need to recognize that your success is not a result of your hotel property, as wonderful as it may be. Your success is going to be measured by the hospitality guests will experience within your hotel property.<br />
<br />
Hospitality is the heart and soul of this industry. Strip away everything about your business and get to the core of what matters most. How do you and your associates compare to the next hotel on the map?<br />
<br />
How exciting is it to know your hotel can stand out from the rest, even from hotels in another country - simply by focusing as much attention as possible this year to the details of hospitality.<br />
<br />
We have seven articles all about hospitality in store for you. That is how strongly we at Secrets of a Thriving Hotel magazine believe in the benefits of mastering hospitality. It is a business essential if you want to be successful.<br />
<br />
Please continue to join us throughout this series. We are thankful for the thousands of hotel business owners and professionals such as yourself who have been discovering and reading our content over the last few years.<br />
<br />
If you haven't done so already, please reach out to us and introduce yourself. Tell us about your hotel business or professional experience. We look forward to hearing from you!<br />
<br />
We want to inspire you to be successful in 2019 and beyond!<br />
<br />
Today, as you take care of your hotel associates, teammates and hotel guests, take a mental snapshot of the level of hospitality around you.<br />
Is it time to raise the standard?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Article 1 in the Series:</span></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2019/05/significanceofhospitality.html" target="_blank">The Significance of Hospitality</a></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Statista Source:
</span></i><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/247264/total-revenue-of-the-global-hotel-industry/">https://www.statista.com/statistics/247264/total-revenue-of-the-global-hotel-industry/</a></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrlfMCarB5ds5KR1PI3Ei0Gxcf8tdUfyCAzIGFPEYASjKCQxmL4uzsUrU4V0wzre1yGrHjY1Ie4q7QaXVBRVIs4IH5Go06Thtx8wQbJs15gW-c2amk7I1kSd85cS9uRp2CiufsT3kEKY/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrlfMCarB5ds5KR1PI3Ei0Gxcf8tdUfyCAzIGFPEYASjKCQxmL4uzsUrU4V0wzre1yGrHjY1Ie4q7QaXVBRVIs4IH5Go06Thtx8wQbJs15gW-c2amk7I1kSd85cS9uRp2CiufsT3kEKY/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-63861478118901296452018-12-18T18:08:00.001-05:002018-12-18T19:46:22.198-05:00The Ritz-Carlton: History in the Making - Luxury on Land and at Sea<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style> <br />
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., part of Marriott International, Inc. announced its entry into luxury yachting and cruises on June 22, 2017 – bringing the award-winning luxury hotel brand’s service and timeless style to sea. Created by The Ritz-Carlton and maritime experts Douglas Prothero and Lars Clasen, in collaboration with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., The Ritz-Carlton will provide luxury hospitality service under a long-term operating agreement.<br />
<br />
Named The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, this venture represents a unique foray into the cruise industry for a luxury hotel operator. The lavish cruising yachts in this series distinguishes Marriott International as the only provider of luxury accommodations both on land and at sea.<br />
<br />
Since their announcement in 2017, Ritz-Carlton experienced an eventful year of notable development and innovation milestones during 2018 leading up to what should be a celebratory and defining inaugural year for their new venture with luxury yachting and cruises. It is an exciting time for their brand and organization.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>MILESTONES IN 2018</b></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2018 January</b></span></span> – <span style="color: #666666;">They began the building process.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2018 March</b></span></span> – <span style="color: #666666;">The Shore Collection excursion categories were developed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2018 April</b></span></span> – <span style="color: #666666;">The voyages were announced for the inaugural season.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2018 June</b></span></span> – <span style="color: #666666;">2020 inaugural season was open for reservations.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2018 October</b></span></span> –<span style="color: #666666;"> The inaugural yacht splashes down.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2018 December</b></span></span> – <span style="color: #666666;">The name of the first yacht is revealed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<i>video:</i><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/295384725?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/295384725">One Step Closer: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Splashdown - <style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style> </a><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/295384725">Celebrating the milestones and first time in the water with first yacht, Azora.</a></div>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/295384725"> </a>on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style> <br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">“See the beauty of the world. Take in the ocean breeze. Tempt your palate. Sail to a new tempo. Feel transported. Discover the color of travel. Serenity. Tranquility. Bliss. Experience Blue. Azora.”</span> </span></span></b><br />
<br />
That is Ritz-Carlton's personal invitation for travelers to set sail on a journey of discovery in 2020 and beyond on their new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Reservations are now open for the 2020 inaugural season.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZzOXjkRqAZLRAsf79rsXDYKZo0Ns7wlfOThoBd87Xoef_Zsc47ugNJhvQXdHq-xV4fgZWQkTCgqLs-7KKYvmytPe7nqv_e6L2DiQoKqShHdOn698Ph1cUR8lJoAF6FQr_RBWbiiyajg/s1600/azora-inaugural-yacht.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="624" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZzOXjkRqAZLRAsf79rsXDYKZo0Ns7wlfOThoBd87Xoef_Zsc47ugNJhvQXdHq-xV4fgZWQkTCgqLs-7KKYvmytPe7nqv_e6L2DiQoKqShHdOn698Ph1cUR8lJoAF6FQr_RBWbiiyajg/s320/azora-inaugural-yacht.jpeg" width="320" /></a>They announced the name of their inaugural yacht on December 5th, 2018 at the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes, France. The first yacht will be named <i>Azora</i>, meaning “sky blue”, a word of Spanish origin derived from “azure” and the color “azul”. Evoking the beauty of the sky and the ocean, <i>Azora </i>is a name that encourages guests to immerse themselves in the color of travel and experience the world with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.<br />
<br />
Set sail on a journey of discovery with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Designed to combine the luxury lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will offer bespoke voyages on three custom-built yachts in 2020. Most voyages range from seven to ten nights, offering many overnight calls and uniquely curated experiences ashore.<br />
<br />
Compared to commercial cruise liners that typically host 2,000 – 5,000 passengers, each Ritz-Carlton yacht will feature 149 suites, each with its own private terrace, and accommodate up to 298 guests in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere. As with The Ritz-Carlton on land, each yacht will feature personalized service, elevated dining and luxury amenities.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAXmdUZ79UEzJFZ6iqLIRAFvb1_ELv3pYYrJ9qsDQ_tdOdrQOOhA2qlk3j-qM8mp9iT-Mz7rzeRFXyx40MQhEZFjcrycXg7e-Kcv2KB32zHqLqOZFxS81_9Ra3P2oggRd7FM6q7PQzc/s1600/azora-cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAXmdUZ79UEzJFZ6iqLIRAFvb1_ELv3pYYrJ9qsDQ_tdOdrQOOhA2qlk3j-qM8mp9iT-Mz7rzeRFXyx40MQhEZFjcrycXg7e-Kcv2KB32zHqLqOZFxS81_9Ra3P2oggRd7FM6q7PQzc/s1600/azora-cruise.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
A voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers an unprecedented opportunity to be untethered. Here, freedom and flexibility allow immersion in life's exceptional experiences; exploration of earth's exquisite and unexpected hideaways; and stirring of passions and curiosities that create new and deepened connections.<br />
<br />
All of this delivered in an intimate setting with a heightened level of care and attention. Enlivened and enlightened, marvel at the beauty of the world though fresh eyes. Live untethered, live fully.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>DESTINATIONS AND PRICES</b></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Caribbean Destinations</b></span></span> $4,600 - $8,700</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mediterranean Destinations</b></span></span> $5,200 - $7,400</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Northern Europe and Baltic</b></span></span> $6,100 - $7,700</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Canada and New England Voyages</b></span></span> $5,600 -$10,100 </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps it can be said The Ritz-Carlton has come full-circle with their business history in the hospitality industry. The story of The Ritz-Carlton begins with Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz, who was well known in the hotel industry as the "king of hoteliers and hotelier to kings" redefined luxury accommodation in Europe with his management of The Ritz in Paris and the Carlton Hotel in London, among others. He and the renowned chef from his hotels, Auguste Escoffier, opened a la carte restaurants known as <i>Ritz-Carlton</i> on board the Hamburg-Amerika Line ocean liners SS Amerika in 1905 and SS Imperator in 1913. The restaurants on those ships ceased operating in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I. Although Ritz died in 1918, his wife Marie continued the tradition of opening hotels in his name.Today, The Ritz-Carlton is owned by Marriott International. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Secrets of a Thriving Hotel magazine wishes the best of luck and safe travels to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Congratulations on having a memorable 2018! May you experience many more milestones in the life of your business with each new voyage!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">For more information: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com/">https://www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">sources: The Ritz-Carlton Press Release(s), The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Website, The Ritz-Carlton Vimeo Website, and Wikipedia. </span> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-62713565783535241262018-12-12T10:38:00.000-05:002018-12-12T10:50:55.087-05:00Updating Your Hotel Management Software<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hotel renovations
frequently happen in hallways, corners, lobbies and guest rooms to
enhance overall guest experience. Have you considered updating your
hotel's PMS (Property Management System) as well? Is your current
software meeting the needs of your hotel business? If you are
considering upgrading your current system or changing to another
software provider, the helpful reference tool we discovered on
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.softwareadvice.com/hotel-management" target="_blank">SoftwareAdvice.com</a></span></b> may be of interest to you.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You will find a
layout of software providers for hotel management. They provide a
break down of what each offers, market trends, reviews by users, costs, details and
other information to help you narrow down your choices.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Independent hotel
owners have reached out to us at various times for advice concerning
software.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It can be
frustrating if you are feeling overwhelmed with so many choices. You
may not be sure what to look for, expect, or what you may even need
as a business manager/owner that will best complement your hotel
business.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymDw9pGyqBgGEgdDCBVp9WEVPcvQghg_YgwrYSkmqmPz8Yzy0FIfjsQg_9fx4o9AgwPcri20s5ChhB9Xgvrt4qPlFZSiQOWFhgOZzceMMgzKcGFrddk4kgjUQIvI0wN9vKdZdHupwB0Q/s1600/headway-537308-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymDw9pGyqBgGEgdDCBVp9WEVPcvQghg_YgwrYSkmqmPz8Yzy0FIfjsQg_9fx4o9AgwPcri20s5ChhB9Xgvrt4qPlFZSiQOWFhgOZzceMMgzKcGFrddk4kgjUQIvI0wN9vKdZdHupwB0Q/s320/headway-537308-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="_3bJ2H CHExY">
<div class="_1l8RX _1ByhS">
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/5QgIuuBxKwM?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Headway</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/computers?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are distinct
differences between cloud-based software and other standard services.
Cloud-based software is hosted on the vendor's servers and accessed
through a web browser. On-premise software is installed locally, on a
company's computers and servers. Functions, perks and costs of each
can vary. How do you know what you should purchase?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Renovating your
hotel PMS (Property Management System) is important and requires some
thought before making a decision. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These questions
provided by SoftwareAdvice.com will help inform and guide you through
the selection process.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Specific questions to ask when evaluating hotel software include:</span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Does your marketing strategy require customer relationship management (or will it, in the future)? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you using social media like Twitter and Facebook to communicate with your guests? Does the software support that?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you already have a property management system in place?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are your guests buying additional products or services from you,
requiring a point-of-sale system? Do you already have one? Is it
compatible?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">How extensive is your third-party <a href="https://www.softwareadvice.com/hotel-management/reservation-comparison/">hotel reservation software system</a>? Is the system compatible with those sites you wish to be associated with?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">What kind of data do you want to collect about your guests? Does the
software store that data? How many records will it let you have?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you require a solution with large group and event management capabilities? </span></span> </li>
</ul>
It’s important to consider whether you need something specific to your
type of property (hotel, motel, resort), or something more generic
and/or basic. Please tell us about your personal experience with hotel PMS renovation.<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-57105947610998144372018-10-11T18:09:00.000-04:002018-10-11T18:09:36.091-04:00The 2018 Readers' Choice Awards - Condé Nast Traveler Announces the Winners<span style="color: #666666;">News provided by <span>Condé Nast Traveler, October 09, 2018 12:01 ET</span></span><br />
<br />
<span> </span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765926/TR110718_Cover.jpg?p=publish&w=650" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Condé Nast Traveler November issue cover. Captured on a Google Pixel 3." border="0" class="gallery-thumb img-responsive" height="320" id="imageid_2" itemprop="contentUrl" rel="newsImage" src="https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765926/TR110718_Cover.jpg?p=publish&w=650" title="Condé Nast Traveler November issue cover. Captured on a Google Pixel 3." width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Condé Nast Traveler November issue cover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span class="xn-location">NEW YORK</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Oct. 9, 2018</span> /PRNewswire/</span> -- <i>Condé Nast Traveler</i>
today unveiled the winners of its 31st annual Readers' Choice Awards,
ranking the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, airports,
and cruise lines in the world. The Readers' Choice Awards are the
longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the
travel industry. This year, we received a recording-breaking number of
responses from nearly half a million readers who rated their travel
experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today.<br />
<br />
<i>The full list of winners, including more than a dozen galleries and
web-only exclusives of the 50 Best Hotels in the World and 50 Best
Resorts in the World, can be found</i> <span style="color: red;"><b><a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/the-bests/readers-choice-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b></span>. <br />
<div class="pull-right inline-gallery-container col-md-8 col-sm-7 col-xs-12">
<div class="gallery inline-gallery">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-12 clearfix">
<figure><figcaption>The 2018 results are all about comfort. Readers stayed closer to home than ever before, pushing more cities like <span class="xn-location">Chicago</span>, <span class="xn-location">Charleston</span>, and <span class="xn-location">Nashville</span> to the top of our lists. They favored the <span class="xn-location">Caribbean</span> and domestic islands in the southeast, like <span class="xn-person">Hilton Head</span>,
Amelia, and Kiawah. The properties that impressed them most were
smaller and less flashy than in years past, and our small-cruise-ship
list is longer than it's ever been, suggesting that the right kind of
less is more. The world has changed in ways no one could have predicted,
and so it stands to reason that how we get away from it all would, too.<br />
<br />
The 2018 Readers' Choice Awards are celebrated in <i>Condé Nast Traveler</i>'s November issue on newsstands <span class="xn-chron">October 16</span> and on online at <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.cntraveler.com/rca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.cntraveler.com/rca</a></span></b>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><i>SOURCE: <span>Condé</span> Nast Traveler</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><i>Discover the Best of the United States, Best of Europe, Best of Asia, Best of Mexico, Best of Canada, Best of the Caribbean and the Atlantic, Best of Central and South America, Best of Australia and Pacific, Best of Africa and the Middle East, Best Cruise Lines and Islands, Best Airlines and Airports.</i> <i> </i></span><br />
</figcaption><figcaption> </figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="continue-jump">
</div>
<span><br /></span>
<span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-67431555731727469622018-08-29T01:11:00.000-04:002018-08-29T01:20:40.976-04:00Traveler Photos - The Naked Truth About Hotels<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Traveler's photos expose the naked truth of how well or how poorly hotel owners maintain their properties. They can also affect hotel reviews and ultimately influence future room sales. Travelers often depend on reviews and images from other travelers to select a hotel.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Unlike highly edited professional images that have been carefully selected to entice hotel bookings on websites, traveler photos are more honest. They reveal important clues about what is important to hotel guests, which is a great tool for hoteliers. Unfortunately, these photos also reveal to guests what is least important to some hotel owners. Hopefully the opposite can be said for you and your hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you are serious about having a successful hotel business, take time to study traveler photos of your own hotel. Do you notice any details that need attention? If so, waste no time in getting them fixed. Your efforts might be the deciding factor on the level of success your hotel will experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Secrets of a Thriving Hotel magazine recently studied hotel reviews that consistently averaged three out of five stars. We looked at traveler photos associated with those hotels. We selected hotels from all four corners of the United States: California, Washington, Maine and Florida.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We discovered that regardless of their location, these hotel owners share something in common because they were all making some of the same mistakes. They need to drastically improve their hotel property before/so they can experience better hotel reviews including traveler photos showing a positive hotel experience with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What will these traveler photos that we found during our study tell a potential guest?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkoVZKYtc-QbHC8_w0MSARjxeMYqiOChtGbPQrxTfc-zFpVMXUWGOiMa_H_K4dxSuxN9PyIkOLK1ApWHxZYY2TCi-HA7L_kq1MPw4X68VVKkNmQLNCQRggKpzSl2Ipx25AmGsoizDakE/s1600/Hotel-Broken-Signage01-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1231" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkoVZKYtc-QbHC8_w0MSARjxeMYqiOChtGbPQrxTfc-zFpVMXUWGOiMa_H_K4dxSuxN9PyIkOLK1ApWHxZYY2TCi-HA7L_kq1MPw4X68VVKkNmQLNCQRggKpzSl2Ipx25AmGsoizDakE/s320/Hotel-Broken-Signage01-STH.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is this the Shotel Hotel or a sign for the hotel shuttle? Either way, don't take the shuttle! This is the first sign a guest will see at this hotel. A sign of bad things to come? First impressions... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6F1CBiF_iM7prTytoTTf6f4aQSJDSJUn_N6Uy32zbh1uQQEdp3kZR0QGu1feRTyeR63pxItJVGNDJkpXbVU1qi8UzS6uM4wUiJYC0x2HpTVsL22yj49FKbWprlTRaOUWfcb8WQSUgZw/s1600/Hotel-Broken-Equipment04-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6F1CBiF_iM7prTytoTTf6f4aQSJDSJUn_N6Uy32zbh1uQQEdp3kZR0QGu1feRTyeR63pxItJVGNDJkpXbVU1qi8UzS6uM4wUiJYC0x2HpTVsL22yj49FKbWprlTRaOUWfcb8WQSUgZw/s320/Hotel-Broken-Equipment04-STH.png" width="241" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe this hotel shuttle van should post a warning sign - No travel safety guaranteed! Good luck arriving to the airport in one piece!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51jX8hfDdYXOiKkk5-zL56kpIA3K3eFm0N4xEQZh36_e9EOalduYrKLTyP0ajlSRyvxGnOTrZsHKe-1AuD3fsBMPK0ZjYNypiXzjLmHNFwgamVMh8bj0wZjRFIiPJyQvKZDgBBrvNuRY/s1600/Hotel-Broken-Equipment03-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="540" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51jX8hfDdYXOiKkk5-zL56kpIA3K3eFm0N4xEQZh36_e9EOalduYrKLTyP0ajlSRyvxGnOTrZsHKe-1AuD3fsBMPK0ZjYNypiXzjLmHNFwgamVMh8bj0wZjRFIiPJyQvKZDgBBrvNuRY/s320/Hotel-Broken-Equipment03-STH.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You absolutely cannot use any of the appliances in this hotel!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrDyF051uCbyglQLLVzPOLKCGhbZ3KADnt9IYt4_SRlvEfX6yGySiWDuLv6KmvgmGmgAQNJyrYYJ8imHr48xdJrkaB-8PXTHrb5W3VyDAZtPmmZwiWy2F71F9fz68r08yxRsuHipzMGE/s1600/Dirty-Hotel-Appliances-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="689" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrDyF051uCbyglQLLVzPOLKCGhbZ3KADnt9IYt4_SRlvEfX6yGySiWDuLv6KmvgmGmgAQNJyrYYJ8imHr48xdJrkaB-8PXTHrb5W3VyDAZtPmmZwiWy2F71F9fz68r08yxRsuHipzMGE/s320/Dirty-Hotel-Appliances-STH.png" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whatever you do, just don't touch it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdEL357n3hIlLOiK-mC1F5ScJP6-wDz0IMVUXpEKpLGjUnJZVvYGvmTp861veKSHtd4MaAD-otfUjJCWO431ZqRGCGykdPs0j8rM_iOYlVOSdX_3fbbKeCoRJEt1lAY_WQ5RWh1p3ZYo/s1600/MysteryStain01-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1231" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdEL357n3hIlLOiK-mC1F5ScJP6-wDz0IMVUXpEKpLGjUnJZVvYGvmTp861veKSHtd4MaAD-otfUjJCWO431ZqRGCGykdPs0j8rM_iOYlVOSdX_3fbbKeCoRJEt1lAY_WQ5RWh1p3ZYo/s320/MysteryStain01-STH.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beware of the mystery carpet stains!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmrtDgqhDaxLAnJ1AjuUyhJLQmPhNC4jHxwGrJIuIAqZHtq37-uEH-y_Kr29FImGXqM52hQq5EX6FCg3MV_SEXzxLy8O-23QJvbM6aYaRmT9Qfl_4MPmR_4ybC5lZfwJ5GfwTHpqpebw/s1600/Hotel-Bedding02-wrong-size-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1246" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmrtDgqhDaxLAnJ1AjuUyhJLQmPhNC4jHxwGrJIuIAqZHtq37-uEH-y_Kr29FImGXqM52hQq5EX6FCg3MV_SEXzxLy8O-23QJvbM6aYaRmT9Qfl_4MPmR_4ybC5lZfwJ5GfwTHpqpebw/s320/Hotel-Bedding02-wrong-size-STH.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Need a good night's sleep? Just forget about it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMe3vNnT88P6OVYZQ0A4regmq6Pjfp8wHxpqKTGVem9Fmj1Wf0j-fF4fK2CbYcT5Si3CrGMGAfTsSldBTIlkrhFabVOP9MyIYMvCJ24Vj_Ivg5ecKHyKJYi4S_9COLfauhbYptNzngk4/s1600/Hotel-Bedding01-cigarette-burns-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMe3vNnT88P6OVYZQ0A4regmq6Pjfp8wHxpqKTGVem9Fmj1Wf0j-fF4fK2CbYcT5Si3CrGMGAfTsSldBTIlkrhFabVOP9MyIYMvCJ24Vj_Ivg5ecKHyKJYi4S_9COLfauhbYptNzngk4/s320/Hotel-Bedding01-cigarette-burns-STH.png" width="191" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peek-a-Boo bedding! Cigarette burns?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gWohQYYxdBv9yTW76XRWt-kFWbQke_2wyTn7j4v_Cqm9iDL6-oISPwoIqL55Ifp45Zapxiwuqh-ogNZWlkHV47YTUo_UvmqY05tDCcE8ULG3nIXVjy8k95OBIal1-dnjPdW-UFv8ZXc/s1600/Hotel-Broken-Equipment02-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="921" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gWohQYYxdBv9yTW76XRWt-kFWbQke_2wyTn7j4v_Cqm9iDL6-oISPwoIqL55Ifp45Zapxiwuqh-ogNZWlkHV47YTUo_UvmqY05tDCcE8ULG3nIXVjy8k95OBIal1-dnjPdW-UFv8ZXc/s320/Hotel-Broken-Equipment02-STH.png" width="317" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Duct tape and a smoke detector. Not two things you want to see together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBUFx9BWYUMS84-y2r-gTJywSFWMyiFt7GznGASV57wREDYviW886NSiUDpF7PsHbmGHGL7nKgOjg64MVlXzUY3tabvjIwh0Zrw1tMh17PCIDU71HK-7dP2DlTR1g6uHZ5jkg3BI5S88/s1600/Hotel-Broken-Equipment01-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1392" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBUFx9BWYUMS84-y2r-gTJywSFWMyiFt7GznGASV57wREDYviW886NSiUDpF7PsHbmGHGL7nKgOjg64MVlXzUY3tabvjIwh0Zrw1tMh17PCIDU71HK-7dP2DlTR1g6uHZ5jkg3BI5S88/s320/Hotel-Broken-Equipment01-STH.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At least if there is a fire you can call 911 for help, especially if your cell phone needs to be charged. Use at your own risk!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAyJeQCIrTfwGWxXAZLEC7eFNgHxzzIb-C-eAGUGY6DvA9ejeaPDiVlUoXcHCbuhONxqZcj9AFcCBpNDNKuCD1Popnbwy3RzFoMCkgH-ufCIQ7LOTSeRA2TAgSeByV-viRzY_TSg0UOc/s1600/Hotel-Safety01-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="693" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAyJeQCIrTfwGWxXAZLEC7eFNgHxzzIb-C-eAGUGY6DvA9ejeaPDiVlUoXcHCbuhONxqZcj9AFcCBpNDNKuCD1Popnbwy3RzFoMCkgH-ufCIQ7LOTSeRA2TAgSeByV-viRzY_TSg0UOc/s320/Hotel-Safety01-STH.png" width="238" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or you could just go for it and jump out of the window!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGU4azsjv4P0NXz7pT34Kqqu4TEWJiuUR0ZjqS33m98ZqFoTorIJx2-xWEcQ5Q9kan-DmERWt1-5bf0DCqLJekgN4e_z4QQXdr0JWe2MjfLJobIwN2Gd2-UTKwxNbcEvOkxdzwTXomHpg/s1600/Broken-Hotel-TV-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1326" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGU4azsjv4P0NXz7pT34Kqqu4TEWJiuUR0ZjqS33m98ZqFoTorIJx2-xWEcQ5Q9kan-DmERWt1-5bf0DCqLJekgN4e_z4QQXdr0JWe2MjfLJobIwN2Gd2-UTKwxNbcEvOkxdzwTXomHpg/s320/Broken-Hotel-TV-STH.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wide screen TV static for your viewing pleasure!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt2RFtFQZO5FmxgPur8UuI2QDFNugEvAvyzCZ2dC98A-AvlePxUfayZjRH8tNAHEg16Eu_y2k6JZc9eiGwtg4BTMn6YJZvzxr3kwjk-WlpKlQ85QlaCQV1iNpRsU24E45PgUfK33gbB8/s1600/Bedbugs01-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="927" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt2RFtFQZO5FmxgPur8UuI2QDFNugEvAvyzCZ2dC98A-AvlePxUfayZjRH8tNAHEg16Eu_y2k6JZc9eiGwtg4BTMn6YJZvzxr3kwjk-WlpKlQ85QlaCQV1iNpRsU24E45PgUfK33gbB8/s320/Bedbugs01-STH.png" width="316" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHk77lmToNTgF6lizvFP8unFN_gq0ch2hxLA0k_7ubLslAFkls9WpOEWQWLt71iomJbz-y-3dDaGsTmunJ7kwIZKINimH61HVY4o0d9k6KqqVAFH4er4Ho8kYD4feyj6txDb-Sxtz367w/s1600/Bedbugs02-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="929" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHk77lmToNTgF6lizvFP8unFN_gq0ch2hxLA0k_7ubLslAFkls9WpOEWQWLt71iomJbz-y-3dDaGsTmunJ7kwIZKINimH61HVY4o0d9k6KqqVAFH4er4Ho8kYD4feyj6txDb-Sxtz367w/s320/Bedbugs02-STH.png" width="318" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bedbugs! Expect a sleepless night and a trip to the nearest ER!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZeW736CBdCTbpEMRSl1f4G5Tuw6ijMGz-Yw7uTvx3iKoI2BAWyhZ-mIWc7sHoNgqcguGNvN1Doe0u12KQizi1CgfQ78Z-0JRF2DHOeXhh6aL1WhSx7ygxOcjT57OJtSUJUm53CWrduk/s1600/Bedbugs03-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZeW736CBdCTbpEMRSl1f4G5Tuw6ijMGz-Yw7uTvx3iKoI2BAWyhZ-mIWc7sHoNgqcguGNvN1Doe0u12KQizi1CgfQ78Z-0JRF2DHOeXhh6aL1WhSx7ygxOcjT57OJtSUJUm53CWrduk/s320/Bedbugs03-STH.png" width="238" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVBCJp_BD70D89FBy0a-WF8aJhAVv91u1LeISZWXbQqYU0EngDd9SbgWgi8EJKiLmOT1YXgR6u04wld4fxYmZxaQWigTRy5Mwq07SJ0DXaEB8e6bEBsE1AitHKGxWq2vzP_6vqFBLu2E/s1600/MaintenanceIssues01-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="693" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVBCJp_BD70D89FBy0a-WF8aJhAVv91u1LeISZWXbQqYU0EngDd9SbgWgi8EJKiLmOT1YXgR6u04wld4fxYmZxaQWigTRy5Mwq07SJ0DXaEB8e6bEBsE1AitHKGxWq2vzP_6vqFBLu2E/s320/MaintenanceIssues01-STH.png" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Don't go to sleep! Whatever you do, stay awake!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHCbrFGz2M6KIRUHPPhXl-MKkf3SLGlN3JsIS21yZYil8uY8mtQVltaiNtBMMVGmTdzQS0Z66HWpgfdZKluQ5k3GxpgP_EEevXr7WHS_XdL3N0rgRR3TAkzwJvJMZPct85Pd3dyhJVRk/s1600/Hotel-Safety02-STH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHCbrFGz2M6KIRUHPPhXl-MKkf3SLGlN3JsIS21yZYil8uY8mtQVltaiNtBMMVGmTdzQS0Z66HWpgfdZKluQ5k3GxpgP_EEevXr7WHS_XdL3N0rgRR3TAkzwJvJMZPct85Pd3dyhJVRk/s320/Hotel-Safety02-STH.png" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you value your life, don't use the elevator! Good luck!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These traveler photos may seem somewhat extreme and outdated, but these were actually fairly current pictures from various hotels across the US. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The point is, as a hotel business owner it is your responsibility to take care of your guests. Above all else they need to feel safe. If you want your guests to have an overall good hotel experience, then you will need to consistently improve and maintain every tiny detail of your hotel that you possibly can. Be pro-active before guests arrive. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't forget. Travelers pay attention to and trust other travelers. You need good pictures from hotel guests. Give them something good to share. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Taking pride and ownership in your hotel property is a huge investment that will bring measurable results for your business.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-49691318463931165062018-07-18T15:14:00.000-04:002018-07-18T15:14:05.214-04:00Hospitality Community Spotlight - Looking for the Best<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do you know of an outstanding hotel employee, co-worker, organization or department that should be highlighted in Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine? <b>Please tell us about them and why they are outstanding: <span style="color: blue;">publisher@SecretsofaThrivingHotel.com</span></b> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="882" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno2dptA9sI9ZGe4xVDlBbPujNR4YSPu3u7z9bwjInHJW2_KCcX4PPCmVHbrIejgiV1PcQnCoQApy_o4uhCN60jh68d73XbMvJ-eJJx-KxgmuiK3X1-1f9ba1OsRnILPQx-WY45KxnDEA/s320/SecretsofaThrivingHotel72649.png" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-47416353710881377332016-11-15T15:08:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:27:33.065-04:00Favorite Hotel Brands - Guest Feedback<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is your favorite hotel brand? Tell us what you like most about them.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHf4oOJ0oUwD1Jz7hDFTQsT7XTX5p5vbN92y8f-xCKHGQQXUvN_ZZEYWDQv2gHIbKbOTsDPQMK6zCcYtLbk4CrlGstzc2gGH3ShC0_05ojMvgvuwd9kK5hSe_Jijj7AsJVfZSc7SZNDs/s1600/Jeffrey-Hayzlett-FEEDBACK-FROM-HOTEL-GUESTS01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jeffrey Hayzlett" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHf4oOJ0oUwD1Jz7hDFTQsT7XTX5p5vbN92y8f-xCKHGQQXUvN_ZZEYWDQv2gHIbKbOTsDPQMK6zCcYtLbk4CrlGstzc2gGH3ShC0_05ojMvgvuwd9kK5hSe_Jijj7AsJVfZSc7SZNDs/s640/Jeffrey-Hayzlett-FEEDBACK-FROM-HOTEL-GUESTS01.png" title="Jeffrey Hayzlett, Best-selling author, global business celebrity and CEO of The Hayzlett Group" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42YHKNqaVCAXpHiOuEOaolGEAGcSoBb1SrnlWppgQ37tYxXSrYl-xhPwI6Z6w-Nrn2XlB_4xFjCbWYRBGRgdIp4wwk0u-r_1oSIqmUznYrHm3rCtgPmZW0PdU_7H7IrTGaKz8grsWNwk/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest01-Matt-KANSAS+CITY.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42YHKNqaVCAXpHiOuEOaolGEAGcSoBb1SrnlWppgQ37tYxXSrYl-xhPwI6Z6w-Nrn2XlB_4xFjCbWYRBGRgdIp4wwk0u-r_1oSIqmUznYrHm3rCtgPmZW0PdU_7H7IrTGaKz8grsWNwk/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest01-Matt-KANSAS+CITY.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matt from MO:</span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Hmmm....I'd have to think about it. They all kind of blur together. :)"</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jSjZnEFHuML1x3NCL_1sg5gy1sQsWVQrwd_Z4JYPoUCuK-dDNvY2qvS7KIVm7PoLwjCnxEMD40jErqCU6N64ciFCmrU66l4YgRNrcPfZIcAnObfSK6zl_ZDO5SdK68d0-QbFy8OQ8cU/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest02-Becky-NC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jSjZnEFHuML1x3NCL_1sg5gy1sQsWVQrwd_Z4JYPoUCuK-dDNvY2qvS7KIVm7PoLwjCnxEMD40jErqCU6N64ciFCmrU66l4YgRNrcPfZIcAnObfSK6zl_ZDO5SdK68d0-QbFy8OQ8cU/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest02-Becky-NC.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Becky from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Hilton is by far my most favorite hotel brand. They are consistent across the board, and I love staying with them."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOa0NmUGSUvrIGBTAMzvdQeebj1DzPmdB69QD5xs91xS49WoKBeDyK6bSmKIEjYbvbjwRPpj9oIaDU7XdVYbo4hhz8am_eZbq02LHynNlgeabXqrzMPSb-aPCWO3w3TCxoMte8Y3419q4/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest03-John-SC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOa0NmUGSUvrIGBTAMzvdQeebj1DzPmdB69QD5xs91xS49WoKBeDyK6bSmKIEjYbvbjwRPpj9oIaDU7XdVYbo4hhz8am_eZbq02LHynNlgeabXqrzMPSb-aPCWO3w3TCxoMte8Y3419q4/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest03-John-SC.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John from SC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Probably the Red Roof Inn since it is always pet friendly and inexpensive. They are also very easy to book online. I do like Best Westerns as well, but find them a little pricier."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWGEZleyIQU42X1O-CCAVI5KZBOAQVSo_YBtDOcxZun-Dl0m3dLoE3aY74OoBgmqI3ta8F71MKjeyizKK2lbf-0-0Lkw-De1a0FxXgWGt4Qo2r9huqMHSjPE8fTet_q1z1GHKX7VPKng/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest05-Terry-Bellamy-NC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWGEZleyIQU42X1O-CCAVI5KZBOAQVSo_YBtDOcxZun-Dl0m3dLoE3aY74OoBgmqI3ta8F71MKjeyizKK2lbf-0-0Lkw-De1a0FxXgWGt4Qo2r9huqMHSjPE8fTet_q1z1GHKX7VPKng/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest05-Terry-Bellamy-NC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Terry Bellamy from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"My family enjoys being Hilton-Honors members. They have a variety of hotels for us to choose from, and their rates are reasonably priced. We enjoy their indoor pools, tasty food and excellent customer service." </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Terry is a former mayor of Asheville, NC. She currently serves as the neighborhood outreach coordinator/communication specialist for The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville.</span></b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jeffrey Hayzlett from New York, Los Angeles and South Dakota:</span></b></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVcERHGZzoK_cncYH7pbRGmxMELqgnPGxpSm17aflR42rWgfqCVKp9HpmE02WSexvxgTLub66gTggfQTM8pA-70f70_0fV9WzfRixaYO5jAzI6XlnLwMk1bI9aBF5UusNL6V-vTDe-xw/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest06-Jeffrey-Hayzlett-NY-LA-SD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVcERHGZzoK_cncYH7pbRGmxMELqgnPGxpSm17aflR42rWgfqCVKp9HpmE02WSexvxgTLub66gTggfQTM8pA-70f70_0fV9WzfRixaYO5jAzI6XlnLwMk1bI9aBF5UusNL6V-vTDe-xw/s400/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest06-Jeffrey-Hayzlett-NY-LA-SD.jpeg" width="298" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> "I love Marriott for variety of reasons, primarily the consistency in the quality of the service to a frequent traveler or road warrior like myself. As a high-level customer I’m greeted in a customary manner by the staff because of my earned status and I tend to frequent the whole same hotels often. And because they have a great mobile app I'm able to book reservations on the fly, change them, and even bypass the front desk checking in or checking out without ever having to talk to anyone! Sometimes you’re just in a hurry to check in and get going to the next city and hotel.<br /><br />In addition I have found their reward program to be exceptional. And while I travel so much I'd rather be home, it’s nice to know that I can use the points to go to exotic locations for a holiday." </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://hayzlett.com/" target="_blank">Jeffrey Hayzlett</a> – Primetime TV and radio host, Keynote speaker, Best-Selling author, and global business celebrity.</span></b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></i></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQdr65OML7jpap3DcgVkGpMqUXdvAUcIkrj8r8OZr3b6cC7fmDFs1Y2zL2r6PV8bn-y96vt9LZTS4hP-ZamxClKzkLAFWbETxvRLqdTnkvamuO0YrgMxiJiRq9g3FlY2m81q01-Blmv0/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest07-Sarah-NC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQdr65OML7jpap3DcgVkGpMqUXdvAUcIkrj8r8OZr3b6cC7fmDFs1Y2zL2r6PV8bn-y96vt9LZTS4hP-ZamxClKzkLAFWbETxvRLqdTnkvamuO0YrgMxiJiRq9g3FlY2m81q01-Blmv0/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest07-Sarah-NC.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></i></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sarah from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"I love Hampton and Fairfield...and Candlewood Suites..Hampton and Fairfield because that's about as fancy as I can get on my budget and they are always clean, accomodating, and pleasant for a stay. But I love Candlewood Suites because of all their conveniences and awesome, helpful staff!"</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4wb6HeUT9_CFsW8eOk9ih4HoWvs4KqflKBjQlTvRHLFUROifzsWDnY45LvkJGdH75i7qhIbO0YTO9TOE5x1GeJDvuxxmC2BobNXbB3G0h0djO_SgYTQVIh_if5PetQO2-H3myCAyLpo/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest08-Eddie-CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4wb6HeUT9_CFsW8eOk9ih4HoWvs4KqflKBjQlTvRHLFUROifzsWDnY45LvkJGdH75i7qhIbO0YTO9TOE5x1GeJDvuxxmC2BobNXbB3G0h0djO_SgYTQVIh_if5PetQO2-H3myCAyLpo/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest08-Eddie-CA.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eddie from CA:</span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"We always prefer nice boutique hotels when one can be found. They tend to be smaller, quieter and offer better service than the bigger chains. That said, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental are at the top of our list but when that's out of our price range we'll research our options and find something nice that's reasonable priced."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK35VmdJVaI6Kv8xv1n351XA71cEiaUJiTbSmb7WzOrMBpeBhrw6Q3jt-ogkY7Tk7tcSGynvdMoWrAhWprtBvnpwBeEKFlBILT4hrSYled1PuB9eqvGeBZ9g4V2EJjS1bHNQCKIKuKnpU/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest09-Melisa-NC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK35VmdJVaI6Kv8xv1n351XA71cEiaUJiTbSmb7WzOrMBpeBhrw6Q3jt-ogkY7Tk7tcSGynvdMoWrAhWprtBvnpwBeEKFlBILT4hrSYled1PuB9eqvGeBZ9g4V2EJjS1bHNQCKIKuKnpU/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest09-Melisa-NC.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Melisa from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Quality Inn and Comfort Inn are good, but most resorts are better. Beach Cove and Westin Resorts have wonderful amenities."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye7apEgOVkrIUmocNU6Q0eSAUts4fQqs6ppEl8LUxsY6uAng08coRg9jb1yKzR0l4IkhYX-gGfcMLZcp-Mvez85xCfNHSFY-0Z9QxLySLdbCGzmpQTQDXLjk8Cn1vG2BFLxrQRJRh-2k/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest10-LoriCrete-CA+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye7apEgOVkrIUmocNU6Q0eSAUts4fQqs6ppEl8LUxsY6uAng08coRg9jb1yKzR0l4IkhYX-gGfcMLZcp-Mvez85xCfNHSFY-0Z9QxLySLdbCGzmpQTQDXLjk8Cn1vG2BFLxrQRJRh-2k/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest10-LoriCrete-CA+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lori Crete from CA:</span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"I love this question! I was also a flight attendant for 14 years so I have done my fair share of traveling and staying in hotel rooms!<br />I am currently a loyal SPG member. I love the brands associated with this rewards program. My favorite is the The Phoenician hotel in Scottsdale, AZ. Their customer service is amazing, they have all these little perks that I have not experienced elsewhere. The turn down service includes, soft music, soft lighting, a chocolate, a flower and a foil wrapped make up removing cloth (which the esthetician in me loved)!"</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>Lori Crete - Owner of Spa 10 in Encino, California, and President and Founder of the Esthetician MentorTM. <a href="http://www.thespa10.com/" target="_blank">thespa10.com</a></b></i></span></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBcs-ab7Qb_86Ff2A0EkIupbfCvgBezXv3DoJUInDP7zEljg4724zUkIrqcSq8HwSGsWkNJJwJtOzI5emv6hSW6zwy4fHs_G4UrXH4Y3IM4Js9byhaTX2bxD-wiBYfcq3DP2EocmCBjI/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest11-Rocky-NC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBcs-ab7Qb_86Ff2A0EkIupbfCvgBezXv3DoJUInDP7zEljg4724zUkIrqcSq8HwSGsWkNJJwJtOzI5emv6hSW6zwy4fHs_G4UrXH4Y3IM4Js9byhaTX2bxD-wiBYfcq3DP2EocmCBjI/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest11-Rocky-NC.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
</h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rocky from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"We have always had great stays at Holiday Inn! They are always clean and the staff is always very friendly and helpful! Have stayed in many all over the south east and have always had great experiences. I do have to say though that they are a little pricy, but with all the travel websites out there you can always find a good deal."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_vblEvNWL8z5xZjfbd7PzXa_CgQ8MnFCCFZSsAfluWJeWdXCc0haqA1KoTyE-2hQNPi8GCIaOpzZsgVExjAQ3rvS8Oj9oFi2CRCBIk2Ti0bVfpqIH8qBPxdfbJwAbaV-myZjYIOjnRI/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest13-Eliot-Wadopian-NC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_vblEvNWL8z5xZjfbd7PzXa_CgQ8MnFCCFZSsAfluWJeWdXCc0haqA1KoTyE-2hQNPi8GCIaOpzZsgVExjAQ3rvS8Oj9oFi2CRCBIk2Ti0bVfpqIH8qBPxdfbJwAbaV-myZjYIOjnRI/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest13-Eliot-Wadopian-NC.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eliot Wadopian from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"..usually the Hamptons, Hampton Inn and Suites – That chain seems to be clean. It is still a little high for us as a band, but it seems to be functional, within the budget – sort of begrudgingly - but their breakfast has at least a little something there. Sometimes Holiday Inn will pop up as well, but it just sort of depends on where I am going, where I decide to stop."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kZH_zBPAxHTy-OaSBfZpwZli_Y5I5eKZR5hqb1OvpVlP4dgOKJolSVASuYDPVlTvp6G-4zYQb_9UxhMy3u3OzJw0YtWM6RCUwgIvZVv1-uvZTI-1d1RKVqE0W2C85RLoAVMI1YXfBhI/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest17-Scott+Raines-NC-artimus-+pyle-band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kZH_zBPAxHTy-OaSBfZpwZli_Y5I5eKZR5hqb1OvpVlP4dgOKJolSVASuYDPVlTvp6G-4zYQb_9UxhMy3u3OzJw0YtWM6RCUwgIvZVv1-uvZTI-1d1RKVqE0W2C85RLoAVMI1YXfBhI/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest17-Scott+Raines-NC-artimus-+pyle-band.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scott Raines from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Many times we get put up in suites, condos or even bed & breakfasts with the band, but just for normal hotels, we like Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inns. They are very consistent with comfy beds and breakfast." <a href="http://artimuspyleband.com/" target="_blank">artimuspyleband.com </a></b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDW5OHvFw9O0UqJGbmKw71p3631gApMt-ypcao1K9kLqf9Q5jC3gQ0JErUK1K8Q7gzgmJw61AJBINQ0eySSSZg_hewcZjOvFS3N8qo8EEf8qetBmZRNn39YTlOq9_FSbKDprBguoAx-8/s1600/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest14-David-Cohen-NC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDW5OHvFw9O0UqJGbmKw71p3631gApMt-ypcao1K9kLqf9Q5jC3gQ0JErUK1K8Q7gzgmJw61AJBINQ0eySSSZg_hewcZjOvFS3N8qo8EEf8qetBmZRNn39YTlOq9_FSbKDprBguoAx-8/s320/FEEDBACK-Oct2015-Guest14-David-Cohen-NC.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David Cohen - artist from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"I either stay with friends, or, like this last trip, stay at a friend's place of business - which was not a hotel but a very nice hacienda in Trancas, Mexico. <a href="http://www.haciendalastrancas.com/">www.haciendalastrancas.com</a> if you are interested." </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"We tend to go for Comfort Inn and Suites because they seem to be consistent with their service and cleanliness."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maria from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"We usually try to find a Holiday Inn Express as long as it is not far off the exit. We try to make sure it is in a safe location."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stephanie from NC:</span></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b></span></h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"I like cute boutique hotels best, but of the chains, I like Hyatt Place select-service. It's really hip and has all the right technology in the rooms. Smart."</b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you like most about your favorite hotel brand?</span> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj9LX_7NeK2ZL9Z8A1d2zFWxyAbF36SDKzb5Clw6oZcQl1PZ8-1C9t33kWUSPSLhwOdzAO1-afXW90cEZtk3-GwJloWATDXyAN2UWTfF3rH4jxSnWRCHSPHgJpmqiNhYR-GyHOuiyVmU/s1600/Secrets+of+a+Thriving+Hotel+Magazinep.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj9LX_7NeK2ZL9Z8A1d2zFWxyAbF36SDKzb5Clw6oZcQl1PZ8-1C9t33kWUSPSLhwOdzAO1-afXW90cEZtk3-GwJloWATDXyAN2UWTfF3rH4jxSnWRCHSPHgJpmqiNhYR-GyHOuiyVmU/s640/Secrets+of+a+Thriving+Hotel+Magazinep.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></i></span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-82749286012587596192016-11-14T13:35:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:33:44.009-04:00Featured Hotel - The Cardinal Hotel<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tD4KIoeZ4nbgMmGjTiJKU8b4kuFx-WXVEC002_gsu58xWt9hGJQ_oLzf5CavlaGUgCdRO7mNhXATw4Monm8Y2ykvKhODmC8Nf8095THkYicGdQ_NnY1a0ZZLMkHGtT0XpfyQQy4pU4g/s1600/rjreynoldsbuilding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tD4KIoeZ4nbgMmGjTiJKU8b4kuFx-WXVEC002_gsu58xWt9hGJQ_oLzf5CavlaGUgCdRO7mNhXATw4Monm8Y2ykvKhODmC8Nf8095THkYicGdQ_NnY1a0ZZLMkHGtT0XpfyQQy4pU4g/s400/rjreynoldsbuilding.jpg" title="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine - Our Featured Hotel" width="400" /></a><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A</span>cquainted <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">W</span>ith Our Featured Hotel -</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></b></span></span></h2>
<h3>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The Cardinal Hotel is a new four-star sophisticated, yet gracious boutique hotel to experience in Winston-Salem, NC. Guests are invited to indulge in southern hospitality while they engage in a modern hotel concept with today's travelers in mind. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWBJ6SEjLETPhxJB-g6YwNC62yKoiEta215WYIEe4P1abgkX3k412dIGhJkEW7Bn69BO3gExB5OWOWtFF9zZmo82d1d_3YPMIDk7DjEazqpjCwbnJRg23KyhmHSSSLyTcmroCKwsyugs/s1600/thelobbyTheCardinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWBJ6SEjLETPhxJB-g6YwNC62yKoiEta215WYIEe4P1abgkX3k412dIGhJkEW7Bn69BO3gExB5OWOWtFF9zZmo82d1d_3YPMIDk7DjEazqpjCwbnJRg23KyhmHSSSLyTcmroCKwsyugs/s640/thelobbyTheCardinal.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Cardinal Hotel is prominently located downtown in Winston-Salem's most recognized histori<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cal building. Residents from the local community affectionately remember the building which has been vacant since 2009 as the longtime headquarters for the R.J.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Reynolds <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tobacco Company.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">value of this historical building is $12.3 million<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> according to Forsyth Conty tax records.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Built in 1929 and considered on<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e of the country's first examples of Art Deco architecture in the US, the R.J. Reynolds Building was designed by Sh<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">reve & Lamb, the same architects who also later designed the Empire State Building in New York City. The resembl<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ance is quite impressive and undeniable.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h4>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: small;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP9kkTeroK34j_iCn7CkE7xCacrQPlUP61IJpG3z5sJ337VJls_ELUbuUSjyh6-Tc1oHLwgSBLyQZCYl7q3XR-bj0lyg90Vvv9m04yXU8b83kcfLsH-gFsRkYUv911IK7g3QZTecvuUU/s1600/50d0d9365ca10.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP9kkTeroK34j_iCn7CkE7xCacrQPlUP61IJpG3z5sJ337VJls_ELUbuUSjyh6-Tc1oHLwgSBLyQZCYl7q3XR-bj0lyg90Vvv9m04yXU8b83kcfLsH-gFsRkYUv911IK7g3QZTecvuUU/s320/50d0d9365ca10.image.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
</b></span></span></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: small;">There was much debate over a period of time throughout the Winston-Salem community in regards to figuring out how to maintain the history and the integrity of the original architectural design while finding a new use for the building. </span></span></span></h4>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dennis Quaintance, chief executive and chief design officer for Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels based in nearby Greensboro, NC, had initially been provided the opportunity in 2012 by Reynolds American, Incorporated, to study the feasibility of renovating the building. Quaintance-Weaver had previously been successful with their renovation project in a historical building located in Greensboro, which is now known as Proximity Hotel.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even though Dennis considered the project, he ultimately turned down the offer. Daan Delen, president and chief executive officer of Reynolds American, said the company was initially disappointed because they recognized the project’s potential role in downtown revitalization. They needed a partner such as Dennis who would also recognize the historical value of their building</span><b><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Several years later, the timing was right for another developer that had a clear vision for a new hotel development project.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kimpton Hotels <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span> Restaurants based in California, along with Pennsylvania based PMC Property Group recognized the R.J. Reynolds building as a special opportunity. They worked closely with city leaders throughout the process. Now they are ready to start welcoming guests.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="background: transparent;"><i>“The R.J. Reynolds Building is one of the most historically significant and architecturally interesting buildings in the country, and we are honored to be able to play a role in adapting it into an exciting new hotel for the city, while preserving its important history and character that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company has taken such great care to maintain,” </i><b>said former Kimpton Chief Executive Officer, Mike Depatie, who was President of Kimpton at the time of initial development for The Cardinal. </b><i>“It’s also exciting for us to be expanding our footprint in the Southeast, bringing the Kimpton sense of style and fun to a new market of travelers and Winston-Salem locals.”</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">PMC embraced the majesty of the original design and transformed the office building into a first-class, mixed-use boutique hotel and luxury rental housing units. The building features a stunning main lobby with ornate murals, gold-leaf gilded mill work in the ceilings, and interior nickel and brass elevator doors throughout. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">This mixed-use property will now include the hotel with meeting and function space, a lobby bar, restaurant, and luxury rental residential housing units (located on the upper floors).</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuI147d2ozoAMXfL6TFg2VTvXypRDO_XnKmBdBVu9Dclu8etNkXmRLKzot2Zm7IyEMiOWKOCtPvG_pq2TjSTQY6iTQS_rC8pjz8zGqTTq8WuJUSNkvFyG19cqAmbvl6CThVNv28LRkQE/s1600/meetingTheCardinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuI147d2ozoAMXfL6TFg2VTvXypRDO_XnKmBdBVu9Dclu8etNkXmRLKzot2Zm7IyEMiOWKOCtPvG_pq2TjSTQY6iTQS_rC8pjz8zGqTTq8WuJUSNkvFyG19cqAmbvl6CThVNv28LRkQE/s320/meetingTheCardinal.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJtnjcR6YFaT175etybzLYpN33lNX7Ntbckw5xZZ1ecGOg94YIGIUB2ZWrsOUQNGBt7seyiexoaw97JgEVTiInm20DEakEorsNfUGivf3gPsejF4Da3jRxGf7jLKrC_-JkBcZDQczZK4/s1600/guestroomTheCardinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJtnjcR6YFaT175etybzLYpN33lNX7Ntbckw5xZZ1ecGOg94YIGIUB2ZWrsOUQNGBt7seyiexoaw97JgEVTiInm20DEakEorsNfUGivf3gPsejF4Da3jRxGf7jLKrC_-JkBcZDQczZK4/s320/guestroomTheCardinal.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: transparent;"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Cardinal Hotel has 175 rooms, 36 suites, a hotel fitness center, a bowling alley, indoor basketball court and more than 6,375 square feet of event and meeting space, including two ballrooms and several meeting rooms. This hotel also features a 120-seat restaurant <i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(The Katharine Brasserie and Bar)</span></i>.</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA241VsXJy3AXyhePkQ3g-uhsvSbL0OPJRJLr_6OTr_ZME0LoiYj9XI-WV3Jb281kitgJOKwuIx91fx58LviEZwCd-BW1lxRBNsaPXC9-4w_ak9Gh4N_kY8ZgNOY_NAwDsTJ4UPVO2GZc/s1600/playareaTheCardinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA241VsXJy3AXyhePkQ3g-uhsvSbL0OPJRJLr_6OTr_ZME0LoiYj9XI-WV3Jb281kitgJOKwuIx91fx58LviEZwCd-BW1lxRBNsaPXC9-4w_ak9Gh4N_kY8ZgNOY_NAwDsTJ4UPVO2GZc/s320/playareaTheCardinal.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>While this is Kimpton’s first hotel in North Carolina, the new Winston-Salem hotel will broaden the San Francisco-based hotel brand’s presence in the Southeast. <i>In addition to this property, Kimpton recently opened The Brice in Savannah, GA and also operates three popular hotels in Miami, including the Epic Hotel, the Surfcomber, The Angler’s hotel and an additional property on Florida’s popular Atlantic Coast, the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. This is also the second venture in two years for Kimpton partnered together with the development PMC Property Group.</i></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAH6nC3bh1ebeczJz3-8FCUKciFRoCMRXgjFzhwspZaNo9NIbEn1_kuPPBiLvr6ntt8eZnYSYfd5iF4MYf7rCPmmCXhKrOhoV75xhz3r8zjzTBVa7-JX_HkWKoYtAg-db1fz0-Cv46K8/s1600/diningandmeetingTheCardinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAH6nC3bh1ebeczJz3-8FCUKciFRoCMRXgjFzhwspZaNo9NIbEn1_kuPPBiLvr6ntt8eZnYSYfd5iF4MYf7rCPmmCXhKrOhoV75xhz3r8zjzTBVa7-JX_HkWKoYtAg-db1fz0-Cv46K8/s400/diningandmeetingTheCardinal.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i></i></b></span> <i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Kimpton has an excellent track record in adapting historic buildings into unique boutique hotel properties, and as we learned through our work together on the upcoming Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, we believe we will produce a new and dynamic destination in downtown Winston-Salem,” </i>said PMC Property Group President Ron Caplan.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcu6ViQEp9vG8PGPocEXDy0tfbppSaZpTBiZPQmeZ7L5XaSd4DrWDvpOVYmxSC1ES9PoKYz-HuJ27mb58wAfOQDDCKYpVdjUHf9fPIjXElCI_ZotayxVt0worvSXUrwLA2W04S5Xzd8o/s1600/CdhRB0gXIAAr1ir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcu6ViQEp9vG8PGPocEXDy0tfbppSaZpTBiZPQmeZ7L5XaSd4DrWDvpOVYmxSC1ES9PoKYz-HuJ27mb58wAfOQDDCKYpVdjUHf9fPIjXElCI_ZotayxVt0worvSXUrwLA2W04S5Xzd8o/s320/CdhRB0gXIAAr1ir.jpg" title="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine - Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce" width="176" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Members of the </span>Winston-Salem C<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ham<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ber of Commerce <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">excited<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> about</span> the transformation of their city's beloved building.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Richard Geiger, President of Visit Winston-Salem (visitwinstonsalem.com) says,<b> </b>“<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Winston-Salem community is very excited about the new Kimpton Cardinal Hotel <span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;">o</span>pening this spring in downtown. The 175-room luxury boutique hotel will be a great addition to Winston's variety of hotel options.” </span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It has always been important to Reynolds American, Inc. and city leaders in Winston-Salem, NC that developers would appreciate the historical value of their building.<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></b><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Richard acknowledged this by saying,</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> “The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel will be set in Winston-Salem's most iconic structure, the R.J. Reynolds Building. This building, as is R.J. Reynolds company, is such an important part of the fiber of our community and bringing this building back to life with a Kimpton Hotel and 120 residential apartments is a significant statement for Winston`s continued downtown resurgences.”</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Richard Geiger feels the character and culture of Kimpton Hotels is very much in keeping with the personality of Winston-Salem.</span></span></span></i><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>“We are a community rich in art, history, culture and culinary experiences—the Kimpton Cardinal will be a great fit”</i>, says Geiger. <i>“Having Kimpton hotels select Winston-Salem as the first city in North Carolina to put a hotel also speaks volumes for the confidence they have in our hospitality and tourism industry.”</i></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.thecardinalhotel.com/" target="_blank">The Cardinal Hotel website</a></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://pmcpropertygroup.com/properties/residences-rj-reynolds-building" target="_blank">Residential apartments at The Cardinal Hotel - more info</a></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9-wDpdcB1SIUAUAarPGYq_BimLeDtMWJqUgzNpzYJqZpdSUwfIcSjRc9tLJgcwPpRwPBloGU-i6497sNop7PEavmCcxrUH60p6iVLEMRRlZWVJS23KZ5aw9WWTnqKKpBvm2uYPeK5E/s1600/Kimpton_WinstonSalem_hero_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Cardinal Hotel - Our Featured Hotel - Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9-wDpdcB1SIUAUAarPGYq_BimLeDtMWJqUgzNpzYJqZpdSUwfIcSjRc9tLJgcwPpRwPBloGU-i6497sNop7PEavmCcxrUH60p6iVLEMRRlZWVJS23KZ5aw9WWTnqKKpBvm2uYPeK5E/s640/Kimpton_WinstonSalem_hero_2.jpg" title="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine - Our Featured Hotel" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqCbzaPqEHxy15cqdq8BHYBRuYrzcRdZfFXQMg8lcLTM5SQ34RRsGmHHZ0PUfeLr_PeKluP2iY0prBSAk6MVKMdrLuMCaXNQ3_0Pc0mRA0eGsr3tFNhK9BsTndFIGI-MAapjZRbOKc1w/s1600/5368x5368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Cardinal Hotel - Our Featured Hotel - Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqCbzaPqEHxy15cqdq8BHYBRuYrzcRdZfFXQMg8lcLTM5SQ34RRsGmHHZ0PUfeLr_PeKluP2iY0prBSAk6MVKMdrLuMCaXNQ3_0Pc0mRA0eGsr3tFNhK9BsTndFIGI-MAapjZRbOKc1w/s320/5368x5368.jpg" title="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine - Our Featured Hotel" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">More Featured Hotels</span></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqCbzaPqEHxy15cqdq8BHYBRuYrzcRdZfFXQMg8lcLTM5SQ34RRsGmHHZ0PUfeLr_PeKluP2iY0prBSAk6MVKMdrLuMCaXNQ3_0Pc0mRA0eGsr3tFNhK9BsTndFIGI-MAapjZRbOKc1w/s1600/5368x5368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4iXXNFao9uJzSwgx-kU3W3EWq7Wby3EIfeeV6yMz4xDTsw3Z5feRA3g4yW-vADZfEFcVOGxHeR45NwTKvM2s9GMapj7jcuFqm9Id6c5IxZllsADQSIk6B7RB-eoNLV5lwsbkPp4WwOE/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4iXXNFao9uJzSwgx-kU3W3EWq7Wby3EIfeeV6yMz4xDTsw3Z5feRA3g4yW-vADZfEFcVOGxHeR45NwTKvM2s9GMapj7jcuFqm9Id6c5IxZllsADQSIk6B7RB-eoNLV5lwsbkPp4WwOE/s320/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2015/10/our-featured-hotel-candlewood-suites.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Candlewood Suites - Greenville</span></a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1t1bB8SMT4gN2YxlRzZ_stTeKDxouN1xTcv_aIfbYcOf_JIfFGvGLGcdiYFVEk87qnQ215FXAj5HHwuhdJwOi9doaZRAJpBPsFvWb3oAaDaAhpXyPn8w6UIh5qI1NFTsqAk_BiTt9ZU/s1600/Secrets+of+a+Thriving+Hotel+Premier+Issue.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1t1bB8SMT4gN2YxlRzZ_stTeKDxouN1xTcv_aIfbYcOf_JIfFGvGLGcdiYFVEk87qnQ215FXAj5HHwuhdJwOi9doaZRAJpBPsFvWb3oAaDaAhpXyPn8w6UIh5qI1NFTsqAk_BiTt9ZU/s320/Secrets+of+a+Thriving+Hotel+Premier+Issue.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2015/10/our-featured-hotel-mountain-lodge.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Mountain Lodge and Conference Center</span></a></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-49534607910357851272016-11-14T12:00:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:36:15.249-04:00Featured Hotel - Candlewood Suites Greenville<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS3Xa-WkmcIsIb4e5qbULUtKNubBIH95HfsbJVNkiNfF-nBS4s_MpU2IRcqikOg5Z8bQdb7bgadw2GuEfaCWHHMMT2oQdPQfNZ94VWB_egwUokXxVB47-wPOG8TB8q8g1FDHL1zewk08/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS3Xa-WkmcIsIb4e5qbULUtKNubBIH95HfsbJVNkiNfF-nBS4s_MpU2IRcqikOg5Z8bQdb7bgadw2GuEfaCWHHMMT2oQdPQfNZ94VWB_egwUokXxVB47-wPOG8TB8q8g1FDHL1zewk08/s640/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Discover Our Featured Hotel, Candlewood Suites located in Greenville, SC. This property is an extended stay hotel. They are owned and managed by Midas Hospitality which is based out of St. Louis, MO and part of the hotel brand IHG, which is the Intercontinental Hotels Group. IHG includes the following hotels: Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Indigo, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, and Staybridge Suites.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Construction
for this particular Candlewood was completed in October of 2013 when
the hotel opened for business. Michael Heater is the General Manager and
his Assistant General Manager is Jim Ruby. Both of them have been with
the hotel since it began.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We exchanged insight and conversation over a delicious meal at the
popular restaurant, Firebirds with Michael Heater along with their
Director of Sales, Kim Tolbert, Front Office Manager, Stephanie
Knauf, and Front Desk Associate, Travis Klimek.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You could immediately sense the rapport between everyone. They shared
laughter when we discussed their pre-opening days during hotel
construction. “We share food too!” they said as they playfully
nibbled on food from each other's plates.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Travis Klimek commented that he loves working with his co-workers
because everyone is close, you are familiar with everyone, and it
feels like a family instead of a work group. At a previous hotel
where he was employed, that was not the case and it was rare to know
the names of all the employees.</span></span></h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael agrees but adds that if hotel management and the rest of the
team do not get along, including the sales department, then your
hotel is going to be dysfunctional. Chances are, hotel guests will be
able to feel the difference. According to Michael, they aim to run
their hotel like a family.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael, Kim and Stephanie have a special bond because they endured
hours of intense preparation, sweat and manual labor before the hotel
was actually ready for business.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Front Office Manager, Stephanie Knauf believes their family
atmosphere has been like that from day one. “Opening this hotel
started with everyone pitching in,” says Stephanie. “Even I was
on my hands and knees cleaning. We were miserable in the heat,
putting these rooms together in construction but we bonded. After we
opened, we were still close because of what we shared.”</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They did not have an elevator available for use during construction,
so four days before the hotel opened for business they had to take
dishes and everything that went in all the rooms (including flat
screen TV's) up to a window by a lift, and then take the boxes and
unpack the items in each room via assembly lines. They compared the
crazy momentum they experienced to an Olympic event.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stephanie went on to say that once they bonded, they shared a sense
of pride of what they accomplished together.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone agrees. Michael said, “You get that sense of pride so when
you are walking around the hotel, you see a piece of trash – you
pick it up because you feel like it is your hotel and you have
ownership in it.”</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael is quick to acknowledge that they have definitely experienced
their fair share of challenges during the first several years of
operation. The biggest challenge has been brand awareness. People are
not always familiar with Candlewood. That took a lot of combined
sales effort between Kim Tolbert, Director of Sales and the
management.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“We had to get out in the community and let people know what
Candlewood was about,” says Michael. “Then, we are an extended
stay hotel, so that is different than most hotels. We struggle with
this still because our rates are tiered based on length of stays so
you have to explain that to businesses.” He continued by saying,
“Most companies think we produce all this business in this market,
but we end up turning down more business than we allow in just
because we have to find the right stay.”</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both Michael and Kim came from transient hotel business models.
According to Michael, you have to be more strategic in what you are
doing with an extended stay hotel as compared to other hotels that
can more easily book one night stays. It consists of a lot of thought
and management that involves putting restrictions on reservations.
According to Michael, the perfect ratio is 40 per-cent consisting of
one to six night hotel stays, and then 60 per-cent being extended
stays. During the recent month of September, they reached 39.7
per-cent. It was almost a perfect mix for them.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They hit 98% occupancy for the entire month of July, 2015. That means
they only had 57 rooms vacant for the month. For the year they are
about 92%. Without a strong strategy they could not be successful as
an extended stay hotel.</span></span></b></h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within just two years they are ranked #9 out of 360 other Candlewood
hotels on service level. Those other hotels have been more
established in their markets. Michael and his team have done this in
a very short time.</span></span></b></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is imperative that Michael and Kim be on the same page.
Fortunately, they get along well in spite of sharing an office, which
is a new concept for Michael. As a hotel manger, this is the first
office he has shared with anyone. Kim admits they have their moments,
but those do not last long and they playfully refer to them as
healthy banter before quickly getting back to business.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Normal ramp-up for a new Candlewood Suites hotel is two-three years,
yet Michael and his team remarkably accomplished it within a short
amount of time. Not only did they win the brand award for new hote<span style="background: transparent;">l,
</span><span style="background: transparent;">they were also able to
refinance th</span><span style="background: transparent;">ir</span><span style="background: transparent;">
hotel </span><span style="background: transparent;">property </span><span style="background: transparent;">within
a mer</span><span style="background: transparent;">e</span><span style="background: transparent;">
six months</span><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Much of their success can be attributed to leads generated from the
front desk associates and Stephanie because nobody initially knew
what Candlewood was about. The team agrees that she has been
excellent in educating and exciting potential guests.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She effectively was able to change their minds about Candlewood
Suites. After convincing reluctant guests to try their hotel,
Stephanie later learned that she played a vital role in creating
extremely loyal guests. Even Michael admits he had limited knowledge
about the brand before taking the job, so he knew limited brand
awareness would be a challenge to overcome.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He feels one reason they have experienced success is because guests
find their team to be extremely friendly. We asked everyone what they
believe to be the first thing guests notice when they enter
Candlewood Suites – Greenville. Unanimously, Michael, Kim,
Stephanie and Travis exclaimed, “It's our people!”</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition to brand awareness, another challenge they have
experienced is the difference between themselves and their
competitors. Candlewood Suites has limited amenities by design. To be
more specific, Candlewood Suites-Greenville does not have a
breakfast, afternoon snack or airport shuttle.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to Michael, “We have to be on point every time and we
have to be very cohesive.” He goes on to say that he feels lucky to
have the team they do even though his number of employees is far less
than the average hotel. “Almost everybody that has visited from IHG
loves us! The VP of IHG stops by and stays at our hotel every time he
passes through,” says Michael.</span></span></h3>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hvvMuqPIPixMd08Qe-W7jh-O3speQKn2jYNYk7RodXaVIhKkM5JsN5MTbzoMJgnlYGTQc48xVNE4OJqNoMAIa_V4xp3RoCXjuJg1cgBvLHGm0kehQQ698SyeJRVlfyTfgHZfZDXIR3o/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-Housekeepers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hvvMuqPIPixMd08Qe-W7jh-O3speQKn2jYNYk7RodXaVIhKkM5JsN5MTbzoMJgnlYGTQc48xVNE4OJqNoMAIa_V4xp3RoCXjuJg1cgBvLHGm0kehQQ698SyeJRVlfyTfgHZfZDXIR3o/s400/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-Housekeepers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Michael is extremely proud of his housekeepers and how well they maintain the guest rooms. He recognizes their hard work and refers to them as the backbone of his hotel. "Without them, we could not be successful," says Michael. Their team had the opportunity to make a housekeeping video for IHG that went out to all their hotels to train housekeepers. The video was filmed on location at Candlewood Suites-Greenville.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</span></div>
<br />
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kim Tolbert speaks up and says “We all hold each other accountable
and to a higher level. We all motivate each other.” Michael agrees.</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWueAYPh71jkmmYmzdhUHwNd42Lre2IZBU60DL9wkUOI9Co8un6QMCwZXigX0MkDyQRT9FXXD61A3Ehlr_osFy8elS1_8d-oPClv35MV8s4t8YCQKnra7cdC7apN5V3emQym8UrKBbWeU/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-Director-Sales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWueAYPh71jkmmYmzdhUHwNd42Lre2IZBU60DL9wkUOI9Co8un6QMCwZXigX0MkDyQRT9FXXD61A3Ehlr_osFy8elS1_8d-oPClv35MV8s4t8YCQKnra7cdC7apN5V3emQym8UrKBbWeU/s320/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-Director-Sales.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Kim
Tolbert, Director of Sales for Candlewood Suites-Greenville has
nearly twenty years experience in the hospitality industry. At one
point in her career she briefly took a part-time job in a different
profession after relocating with her family, but </span><span style="font-style: normal;">like
many other hospitality professionals, </span><span style="font-style: normal;">she
couldn't stay away for long. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Kim</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
even once proclaimed that she would never work in a hotel again.
After only eight months, she returned to the hospitality industry and
can't imagine doing anything else. She lov</span><span style="font-style: normal;">es
her job at Candlewood Suites.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span>
</span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stephanie Knauf shared, “This is my first hotel experience. I
studied hospitality management in college, and I wanted to work at a
hotel since I was ten years old. I just love hotels! I don't know
why, but it was something about being at a hotel and staying in a
room that wasn't yours. During my first semester in college, I took
my first class, hated it and said, 'I will never work at a hotel! I
don't want to. I'm not going to do that!' Then I ended up moving to
Greenville, SC and interviewed for my current job at Candlewood. I
love my job! I will never leave hotels because I love it so much.”</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAhzIiDq5HzGcUxvwR-SR4kHKix0NIoSPrq9Drj-sd8ZggP7mCzVyZ4U9WORERKF8SP3IF8o38lWeYviR9sdxuK7RQwMO-vY0eBlpiO0MXDG3BrSIPz3DKtiqcJKyJNFatb7tBI5Qfqg/s1600/11223894_965069573548048_6841984947072357025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAhzIiDq5HzGcUxvwR-SR4kHKix0NIoSPrq9Drj-sd8ZggP7mCzVyZ4U9WORERKF8SP3IF8o38lWeYviR9sdxuK7RQwMO-vY0eBlpiO0MXDG3BrSIPz3DKtiqcJKyJNFatb7tBI5Qfqg/s400/11223894_965069573548048_6841984947072357025_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stephanie Knauf with her husband at the 2015 Upstate (SC) Hospitality Awards. She received Manager of the Year award.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Guest reviews have been extremely significant for Candlewood
Suites-Greenville. </b>We asked if their team frequently discusses online
reviews for their hotel. They unanimously and simultaneously replied,
“Yes! Daily.” They talk about them. They share e-mails and
discuss issues.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
</h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael is keenly aware of how important reviews are for the
continued success of their hotel. “Our philosophy is just not to
let a guest out the front door if there is an issue,” says Michael.
“We ask probing questions when they leave. We try to make them feel
comfortable enough to tell us if they have an issue, and we
definitely communicate the results.”</span></span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style></div>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Guests are paying attention. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Michael
emphasizes that a</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">lmost
everyone that checks-in </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">tell
us</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> they have </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">read</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
the reviews. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">They also say</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
“</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">T</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">hat
is why </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">we are he</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">re.”
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">He stresses the importance
of response time from management. Timing also influences a higher
TripAdvisor rating. That is why everyone at the front desk has access
to reviews </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">so t</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">hey
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">can</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
make sure someone is responding in a timely manner.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></h3>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because many people are still learning about Candlewood Suites,
Michael stresses the value of having good reviews and is also
thoughtful about his personal response to them. He tries to use
reviews as a tool to educate guests and thank them for recognizing
that their hotel brand is for the smart, independent traveler.</span></h3>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</span></h3>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoilR6YBG5rhTtm3bYGAdMG7gVK0g1JwmneMzGdTLzMmZgTkQSRWlgq8lFoiqUhQzmzeepyVZN94Xv1NvnwZUpQY-wZOWQSEwlpR3OuUwYhX_WxrKEXCnVfHAHe95qP7Z6q3YY-6SHJos/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-Cupboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoilR6YBG5rhTtm3bYGAdMG7gVK0g1JwmneMzGdTLzMmZgTkQSRWlgq8lFoiqUhQzmzeepyVZN94Xv1NvnwZUpQY-wZOWQSEwlpR3OuUwYhX_WxrKEXCnVfHAHe95qP7Z6q3YY-6SHJos/s320/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-Cupboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>They may not provide breakfast, but they do provide a type of
convenience store called The Cupboard, located in their hotel. They
offer dinners, breakfast foods, sodas, water, and other items a guest
may desire to purchase without leaving the hotel property.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuerhjvTHd_EH7aj4fS-G71HLaTl-HJYZMD7ihtDMGpUbSWxXVuXVfC2uwYJUhIhxUR81-XFn0U19uTooe2PqXQqZ-JWRGnRa7UeEP4T08inP1iZ5S-l-CWcYSkNB8lCAMk01pAT_f0E/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-Oct2015-LendingLocker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuerhjvTHd_EH7aj4fS-G71HLaTl-HJYZMD7ihtDMGpUbSWxXVuXVfC2uwYJUhIhxUR81-XFn0U19uTooe2PqXQqZ-JWRGnRa7UeEP4T08inP1iZ5S-l-CWcYSkNB8lCAMk01pAT_f0E/s320/Our-Featured-Hotel-Oct2015-LendingLocker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Candlewood Suites is also known for the Lending Locker, which is a
brand amenity. As the name implies, they basically provide anything
to make the guest feel at home. The guest may borrow items such as
slow cookers, blenders, wine glasses, games, books and movies.
Extended stay guests especially enjoy this nice perk.</span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></i><br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
</i></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9orvwtQa9xyZzRXss59NLOHdGS-sHFWpW1v-GGk538uOW7uV-13LIiAgcajRF0RT0BHRvAirgoeWzzgfPXMqcZWvgIdBUR48vS_Npd9OxAoSQdoCnm342MGdJzhuynSIz7P5ZNc_EcaI/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-pool.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9orvwtQa9xyZzRXss59NLOHdGS-sHFWpW1v-GGk538uOW7uV-13LIiAgcajRF0RT0BHRvAirgoeWzzgfPXMqcZWvgIdBUR48vS_Npd9OxAoSQdoCnm342MGdJzhuynSIz7P5ZNc_EcaI/s400/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-pool.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Guests also enjoy relaxing in the gazebo located just outside the
hotel. This provides a community-like atmosphere when guests may
congregate and talk to one another or when they simply wish to use
the outdoor grill.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></i></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><br /></i><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Greenville Candlewood Suites also has a well-maintained outdoor
pool with surrounding landscaped features. Their pool is also
equipped to be handicap accessible so all guests can enjoy this
amenity. </span></i></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></h3>
<h2 align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Candlewood Suites-Greenville is officially an award-winning hotel.
They were recently awarded a 2015 Certificate of Excellence from
TripAdvisor.com. In addition, IHG
does a brand conference once a year </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">where
t</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">hey give out </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">five</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
major awards. </span></span></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHN-QKmX-Bg349wfqARAwLrnCxEj_HD7RAH5DgguMetwa98K-cPEN7WOpFp1mZUQ_27w_tqshJ81UcQTCRXKTyHFfo8leCpjbhORxts7_JpkkV0lilqO7g6jiWkD0Wdy3lp-mLAM3bVU/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHN-QKmX-Bg349wfqARAwLrnCxEj_HD7RAH5DgguMetwa98K-cPEN7WOpFp1mZUQ_27w_tqshJ81UcQTCRXKTyHFfo8leCpjbhORxts7_JpkkV0lilqO7g6jiWkD0Wdy3lp-mLAM3bVU/s400/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-awards.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beaming with pride, Michael says of their recent awards, "The first one was Guest Service. We won that and were kind of expecting that one, but they called our name again, and again, and again. We actually won four out of five awards. Usually it is great to get just one, but because of all those rewards last year we were just name the Best Hotel That Recently Opened." </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span> </span>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<h2 align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael finished by saying, “There are big, better hotels out there, but
it is our team that has done this. I feel my charge is to develop my
team and give them the outlet to develop their career.” </span></h2>
<h3 align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></h3>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD_27kOKOOYTmxgtvlnYziNjJ2eg-bKY8-_V7DEJEVNQ6dE9Btm1V_XKPGYA1Kxlk6gkGc_gefjn54tUa_JlMd09S5KctCOA54PJzG2Xwc13ENDG14N0bOW01yBKNbHFHjsrp_bOeazo/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-nightw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD_27kOKOOYTmxgtvlnYziNjJ2eg-bKY8-_V7DEJEVNQ6dE9Btm1V_XKPGYA1Kxlk6gkGc_gefjn54tUa_JlMd09S5KctCOA54PJzG2Xwc13ENDG14N0bOW01yBKNbHFHjsrp_bOeazo/s400/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-nightw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-61136212580056003362016-11-14T00:30:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:31:01.192-04:00From a Guest's Perspective - Becky Oliver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOiUkXZd7B1L2nQA-1ocjnlS6ILqTAAeddFiiM5HdMMU5G7aKWRfqMHY6Q1UGDxtcFdmyAD9HqUSzhi5x0vvuJV2_0WQ38v_pN-bYy0wzYEPjK8LbMEsM6LVTy8l_ZvSRtq58flLKNX0/s1600/From-A-Guests-Perspective-Oct2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOiUkXZd7B1L2nQA-1ocjnlS6ILqTAAeddFiiM5HdMMU5G7aKWRfqMHY6Q1UGDxtcFdmyAD9HqUSzhi5x0vvuJV2_0WQ38v_pN-bYy0wzYEPjK8LbMEsM6LVTy8l_ZvSRtq58flLKNX0/s640/From-A-Guests-Perspective-Oct2015.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
<br />
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like to travel - a
lot! I have traveled to many places that are not only in the United
States but also over in Europe. One of my traveling experiences is
that I go to a retreat every January at the Hilton hotel located at
North Myrtle Beach, SC, near the Kingston Plantation. I have been
going there for twenty-four years.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first year, I
met one of the guys that meet you out front to help bring in your
bags; a concierge or porter. His name is Arter <i>(pronounced
Arther)</i>. I'm not certain, but I believe his native country is
Brazil. When I first met Arter, he had a big smile, was very happy,
and was eager to do anything to assist you.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He has a great
attitude and always makes you feel very comfortable and wanted at
their hotel.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every year since, I
have always tried to get him to be the person that brings my bags
inside the hotel. The more I have gone, the better we have gotten to
know each other. He always recognizes me. He knows who I am, and I
know who he is. If I have to wait until Arter can help me when I
arrive I will do so.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was running late
for the most recent retreat. When I finally arrived, he said, “I
was getting worried about you. I didn't see you come early and I was
hoping everything was OK. I'm so glad you made it safe! I have some
extra special things for you this time. Here's complimentary vouchers
for a free breakfast and a free Starbucks coffee.” That was a
really nice surprise! I didn't ask for those items. He just gave them
to me.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day when I
came down to the lobby, he said, “Ma'am, do you need two more of
those vouchers?” I said, “Sure, that would be great!” So I did
not have to pay for my breakfast for Friday, Saturday or Sunday; they
normally charge for the breakfast buffet at that hotel. He was
definitely taking care of me.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is why when I
give him a tip I always tip him extra-extra because I appreciate
people like that. He even gave me a hug when I arrived and called me
by my name. This is what makes somebody a good hotel representative.
The other guys that work there are sometimes nice but sometimes not.
Sometimes they're attentive; sometimes they're not.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know if I get
Arter, he's always very willing to provide whatever I need. He will
ask questions such as <span style="font-style: normal;">“What can I
get you?”, “Do you need anything?”, “</span><span style="font-style: normal;">May
I</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> take your stuff </span><span style="font-style: normal;">to
your room for you?, “</span><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you hungry?”, </span><span style="font-style: normal;">and </span><span style="font-style: normal;">“</span><span style="font-style: normal;">D</span><span style="font-style: normal;">o
you want me to get anything for you on the way up?” </span>He is
always attentive to what I might need as a guest.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is why I enjoy
going to that particular Hilton and meeting him there each time. He
is wonderful, and kind-hearted with a heart of gold. He also has a
smile that goes from ear to ear. He has one of the kindest souls. I
can't say enough about him. I'm sure he has many other guests that
recognize a lot of good things about him as well.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I asked him during
one of my visits if he loves his job. I said, “You must really
enjoy what you do.” He replied, “Oh, I love it! I get to meet and
serve all sorts of people. I get a chance to see where everybody
comes from.” So he takes advantage of his job and get<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s</span> the best
out of it.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arter provides
outstanding service. He steps up and inspires other workers to do a
better job. He takes pride. That is the biggest thing. He takes pride
in his work, and it absolutely shows!</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</h3>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-65699711049760155812016-11-14T00:00:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:29:54.271-04:00Secret Hotel Pathways - Kevin Schwartz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7KPrz9Gjp0wOM7PVrNgOdJSmlXKxJUwvNnZDxp6wVjQxGJVspED7V-8oYyX-B9efGDilRc1I0vjr8icGuGSgo5PIegLd_ib9u493p3XbhblofhCGUMzAV8q4FYmWGfmTKkNjoxOnpYU/s1600/SecretHotelPathwaysMainKevinSchwartz01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7KPrz9Gjp0wOM7PVrNgOdJSmlXKxJUwvNnZDxp6wVjQxGJVspED7V-8oYyX-B9efGDilRc1I0vjr8icGuGSgo5PIegLd_ib9u493p3XbhblofhCGUMzAV8q4FYmWGfmTKkNjoxOnpYU/s400/SecretHotelPathwaysMainKevinSchwartz01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Delicious food and generous hospitality complement each other like bread and butter. Kevin Schwartz, former Assistant Food and Beverage Director for the historic Grove Park Inn located in Asheville, NC developed a passion for both while growing up in Indiana. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His successful career can be attributed to his mother's exploration of new recipes as well as his own willingness to experiment with fresh ideas in the kitchen. He has fond memories of family and friends gathering around the dinner table. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ml9fv7yVIC-0JlOd7I-R48O4pNbzI69DwYoiTzvZhuAiirT58pkK1g35OqkPXb4UtbtZer1Va9kY5nCP5pdJrN02gms3vY43r32X0osUBs9o3OMi2rwmOowxyh5MuXoc1VN-DJSKeRM/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ml9fv7yVIC-0JlOd7I-R48O4pNbzI69DwYoiTzvZhuAiirT58pkK1g35OqkPXb4UtbtZer1Va9kY5nCP5pdJrN02gms3vY43r32X0osUBs9o3OMi2rwmOowxyh5MuXoc1VN-DJSKeRM/s400/Kevin-Schwartz-family.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin continues the tradition of creating memories with his family.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin grew up with farm-to-table style living even though his family did not own a commercial farm. Long before the concept was part of mainstream culture as it is today, Kevin's mom would can hundreds of quarts of food in the fall because they always had a big garden. They enjoyed fresh eggs and also divided fresh meats with several other families.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They always had a stainless steel table in the garage. Farm-style living was a family affair for the Schwartz family.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside from his first job of bailing hay for a neighbor, Kevin worked his entire career in the food-beverage and hospitality industries. His story is a perfect example of how diverse the hospitality industry has become over time. Food and beverage is a critical component for successful hotels now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even smaller hotels are finding ways to incorporate some type of food and beverage in their offerings. Aside from that, y</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ou will never experience more job opportunities compared to the hospitality industry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin did not start his career by working at a hotel. At age fifteen he acquired a job as a dishwasher at a restaurant and continued working in restaurants during college. He quit school to become a manager at a local, independent Italian restaurant in Ft. Wayne, IN. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He experienced some regrets not finishing college when he was so close to his diploma, but life had different plans. He earned a career instead of a diploma. What an exciting career he was able to enjoy. Even though he has retired from the industry, he is still using his hospitality skills, enjoying fine wine perfectly paired with delicious food and still making meaningful connections around the dinner table.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin often wondered why he didn't get into cooking because he loves to cook, but he typically ended up working front of house for restaurants. You can sense his passion as he talks about his experience in the hospitality industry. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf08InjREZgF6RFfcTVo1353XcNM0iIZV2b1ZLpVtyUqSnkJcgTwamsp5Mo5fljmPY-ClyYXZ4cwFkLIrQkkPdT6zE9SXH0upg1LWrQwhxczH5J4nra7l1gv55JdSTqxhmT4CIxzwWIQ/s1600/groveparkinn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf08InjREZgF6RFfcTVo1353XcNM0iIZV2b1ZLpVtyUqSnkJcgTwamsp5Mo5fljmPY-ClyYXZ4cwFkLIrQkkPdT6zE9SXH0upg1LWrQwhxczH5J4nra7l1gv55JdSTqxhmT4CIxzwWIQ/s400/groveparkinn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Omni Grove Park Inn</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin moved to Western North Carolina to start his life outside of Indiana. He was able to travel the world while initially working part-time at historical Grove Park Inn (built in 1913). Although he had previous restaurant management experience, he was simply needing to reboot professionally and was happy to be hired as a breakfast server for the resort, which he did for six months.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was a dinner server for Grove Park Inn's fine dining restaurant for a year before recognizing a familiar tug about returning to management. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_ubUAV8OmyhKIDJHPnUL1HnpgEljH1siwT5VvUax6U9OxOopc8lqmyAvQp2RT5wqGZjDAddImmStZOuWtCbraH2Xkkvtz1GfcuFBCPe0104j4XR0bU05n7DoZmSKJAckUWrmOVWLP30/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-GrovePark-misc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_ubUAV8OmyhKIDJHPnUL1HnpgEljH1siwT5VvUax6U9OxOopc8lqmyAvQp2RT5wqGZjDAddImmStZOuWtCbraH2Xkkvtz1GfcuFBCPe0104j4XR0bU05n7DoZmSKJAckUWrmOVWLP30/s400/Kevin-Schwartz-GrovePark-misc.jpg" title="Kevin Schwartz and Associates" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During his early years at the resort, Kevin hosted informal wine tastings at his home. Each couple brought a bottle of wine and some food. They would enjoy a great time together and learn more about wine. He continued to host these events once a month for two years.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin's mother made homemade wine when he was growing up so he always had a fascination and continued to become more involved with wine throughout his career.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMpWu-85R9z5WcX9Q64_ZUX_9d5-YQT24sD2Swe5gGdHsOAcTGbuW7bC504ZFikpi5T8nH_lbimjYF32i6Z0YSUUX_LtuqmFoyr0puC7ym3G5ZEAN_wttABGpuE1Y6jEBEGpOg4kFz20/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-withMom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMpWu-85R9z5WcX9Q64_ZUX_9d5-YQT24sD2Swe5gGdHsOAcTGbuW7bC504ZFikpi5T8nH_lbimjYF32i6Z0YSUUX_LtuqmFoyr0puC7ym3G5ZEAN_wttABGpuE1Y6jEBEGpOg4kFz20/s400/Kevin-Schwartz-withMom.jpg" title="Kevin Schwartz and his mom" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin Schwartz and his mom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He created a world class wine program for Grove Park Inn, which gave them more prominence instead of simply buying wine and selling it to guests. Even though Kevin found the project to be a lot of fun, he set a higher goal for his team which helped them reach a Gold Award resort status.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin transformed old walk-in coolers that were not being utilized and refurbished them to be wine cellars. They eventually had five different cellars and several different wine vaults in the restaurant. At the height of the program they had three quarters of a million dollars in wine - actual cost. Because he was buying large amounts of wine, they had enough to last them so he then created verticals, which is lines of one wine. He then started building more depth in countries. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnHRcI3BkhlxaZVLAiXcORHtd27xnPiaXgLvoN7dDdSTkRO_9OZ6QBpatnWZMjATze-dyrroR9eOJEfLh3KnbeG5VUT131Fga9EQCNeC81J522TPDW6RCp8HlKvkXm0Gjiv8-PBlBKqo/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-HorizonsFieldTriptoBiltmoreEstateVineyards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnHRcI3BkhlxaZVLAiXcORHtd27xnPiaXgLvoN7dDdSTkRO_9OZ6QBpatnWZMjATze-dyrroR9eOJEfLh3KnbeG5VUT131Fga9EQCNeC81J522TPDW6RCp8HlKvkXm0Gjiv8-PBlBKqo/s400/Kevin-Schwartz-HorizonsFieldTriptoBiltmoreEstateVineyards.jpg" title="Kevin Schwartz and Grove Park Inn Associates" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Field Trip!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eventually they received the Award of Excellence. Kevin would have continued developing the program beyond that milestone, but leadership began to invest in other parts of the resort development as well. He is very proud of what his team accomplished and their consistent levels of service.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "I do enjoy management. I enjoy being part of something that you're fielding and training and taking care of people," says Kevin. "I love showing people an experience. Whether you're a manager or staff member, it's best if you desire to help another person have a great experience. As a manager you have a little more freedom to help make that happen - but if you stay in your office all day, that never happens."</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRQQXXEnXzSTnuWT0NcQGkjlkvo7wSkPVZ5o52JjczuSoP1NzxPRFLxCcU1hzLWcAgmXZGCyTTW9GuCTSzaH0EBLdlEjoGmIxE2LixCEViCYTBZeQ1lXBtm6yi2qnXZhcqU-7cCQfizE/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-inProfessionalClothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRQQXXEnXzSTnuWT0NcQGkjlkvo7wSkPVZ5o52JjczuSoP1NzxPRFLxCcU1hzLWcAgmXZGCyTTW9GuCTSzaH0EBLdlEjoGmIxE2LixCEViCYTBZeQ1lXBtm6yi2qnXZhcqU-7cCQfizE/s400/Kevin-Schwartz-inProfessionalClothes.jpg" title="David Schwartz" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin appreciates what his mentor demonstrated for him. He witnessed a former President of Grove Park Inn regularly walk through the hotel lobby and snatch debris from the floor or straighten up a chair at a table. "That is a manager you can emulate," says Kevin. He also learned the benefits of networking on a large scale.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin began networking locally, nationally and globally. He did this by design and met people from all over the world - friends he wouldn't have met otherwise. He enjoyed meeting with local, independent restaurant owners, but he also liked being aware of what is going on with the food industry in general.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During Kevin's management, Grove Park Inn was able to offer their guests a private label house wine that Kevin helped create. "We had a lot of opportunities to try new things as management at Grove Park Inn," says Kevin. "I worked with a director that was willing to let me do more."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To create the wine, Kevin had conversations with leaders in the wine beverage industry and used his networking skills. Throughout the process, he worked with Jed Steele, who put the Kendall Jackson brand of wine on the map before branching out on his own. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Through trial and error they created a product and price point that made them extremely happy. Kevin was also part of the creative process for the bottle label design. He is proud of that accomplishment and that his name is on the label. All his extra effort proved to be very profitable for Grove Park Inn. They more than doubled how much private label wine they were selling.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following that success, Kevin decided to create a beer for the resort. This occurred around the same time craft beers started receiving more attention. "Asheville, NC was on it's way to becoming Beer City at that time," says Kevin. "It was cool to be part of that and was really a one of a kind experience."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBjS3tgps1XRA2pH-Y06UN-qSO_UMtEZPeonT4w3FmfuQBOdkb3Xt4BTPHfusIKtEOCs_fzFD6ajWiitapyOVKB0ZVpFh1G3J517TwDs0AMymFIReWCt7gdMutHhJgvZvjoXeY_kYDko/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-GroveParkInn-GreatGatsby-craftbrew-beer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBjS3tgps1XRA2pH-Y06UN-qSO_UMtEZPeonT4w3FmfuQBOdkb3Xt4BTPHfusIKtEOCs_fzFD6ajWiitapyOVKB0ZVpFh1G3J517TwDs0AMymFIReWCt7gdMutHhJgvZvjoXeY_kYDko/s400/Kevin-Schwartz-GroveParkInn-GreatGatsby-craftbrew-beer.JPG" title="Grove Park Inn's Great Gatsby Abbey" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kevin worked with Oscar Wong, founder of Highland Brewing Company in a year long process that involved them taking time to find the right blend of ingredients to create Grove Park Inn's Great Gatsby Abbey.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to Kevin, "It takes a little more work to do something like that, and a little more nerve - but it was a great experience and the guests liked it too!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kevin has personal "Aha!" moments when a particular wine tastes really good with select food, but he came to realize that those moments were even better when other people came together and enjoyed the "Aha!" simultaneously.</span><br />
<br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style> <br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since his retirement, Kevin developed a website called<span style="color: red;"> <b><a href="http://www.theashevillefoodie.com/" target="_blank">TheAshevilleFoodie.com</a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He owned and operated Divine Wine & Beer in Asheville, NC for a period of time, again using his networking skills to develop his business project.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now he is also actively involved in his church and extremely supportive of his wife who is head clergy for their congregation. They enjoy traveling, participating in mission trips, and eating at local, independent restaurants. They also enjoy regularly spending time with their seven godchildren, introducing them to family traditions of gathering around a dinner table while enjoying good food.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_1WkYtR3pvam6za8JwHTbYCADyEwxw8Ely2EzVseDp6n_a_uggrA2raarvMo6SdxvxUJfY2AF16rxlSoyApBTRNFMzEQ2z0_lXo3fpi74tY_U-pqOwMydzMkRaJEnsMcJDK8gK4LP6k/s1600/Kevin-Shcwartz-withWife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_1WkYtR3pvam6za8JwHTbYCADyEwxw8Ely2EzVseDp6n_a_uggrA2raarvMo6SdxvxUJfY2AF16rxlSoyApBTRNFMzEQ2z0_lXo3fpi74tY_U-pqOwMydzMkRaJEnsMcJDK8gK4LP6k/s400/Kevin-Shcwartz-withWife.jpg" title="Kevin Schwartz and Skeinah Glori Schwartz" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin enjoying a candid, happy moment with his wife, Shekinah Glori</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was on the board of AIR (Asheville Independent Restaurant Association) for four years with two of them being President of the organization. He continues to volunteer in the community, including participating in <b>A Taste of Asheville</b> - <i>a premiere food, wine and craft beer tasting event. Most importantly, it's a community fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales every year benefit various programming and outreach efforts, some of which include: Asheville Independent Restaurant Association's Chefs of Tomorrow Scholarships for culinary students at AB-Tech Community college, as well as the GO! Kitchen Ready Training Program (an initiative started by AIR and past AIR board members).</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his spare time, Kevin has also taken up the craft of canning food, just like his mom did when he was growing up. You can find some of her recipes on Kevin's website.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4r9xHsms-UGD0w3ruccm8V_zvGcOUy3TWmfT-lkAmST-s7BWNIJbgRyzYhhG_jK6UWgMZfPOXj3xb2X3s4vAMbqCQJfOUHOIvehyxKjwXpsc1V_Pi6K7-CJgH-NeZj-HBINp-2jfRb4/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-culinary-team-with-president-obama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4r9xHsms-UGD0w3ruccm8V_zvGcOUy3TWmfT-lkAmST-s7BWNIJbgRyzYhhG_jK6UWgMZfPOXj3xb2X3s4vAMbqCQJfOUHOIvehyxKjwXpsc1V_Pi6K7-CJgH-NeZj-HBINp-2jfRb4/s640/Kevin-Schwartz-culinary-team-with-president-obama2.jpg" title="President Barack Obama with David Schwartz and associates at Grove Park Inn" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">A<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nother</span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> highlight in Kevin's career:</i> Kevin and his staff served food and drinks for US President Barack Obama and his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama during their stay at Grove Park Inn.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Kevin Schwartz enjoyed a successful career in the hospitality industry. He takes pride in everything he accomplished but speaks most fondly of the personal connections he made along with way. He took time to get to know his employees, to actively improve his hospitality and culinary skills, and to learn what guests appreciate.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The more you know as a manager," says Kevin, "the more you are able to influence the outcome for your business, for your employees, for guests, and even for yourself."</span></i></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXnRTbNkhfZxLqoyAgkM-XPIyPfsJcBChwQmW4c3aOejm0zt5JW68K7-p86xK67z7QNQnbRzLRLvlK7L7ZoNm2JG36iOZYO2L5PB77I7558lsGoKRuJPL7vsGRxJUfML9e5Vvs87XRLg/s1600/Kevin-Schwartz-mountainBackdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secrets of a Thriving Hotel Magazine" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXnRTbNkhfZxLqoyAgkM-XPIyPfsJcBChwQmW4c3aOejm0zt5JW68K7-p86xK67z7QNQnbRzLRLvlK7L7ZoNm2JG36iOZYO2L5PB77I7558lsGoKRuJPL7vsGRxJUfML9e5Vvs87XRLg/s320/Kevin-Schwartz-mountainBackdrop.jpg" title="Kevin Schwartz - Secret Hotel Pathways " width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span> <br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style> <br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style> <br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-36307635007407291702016-11-13T00:00:00.000-05:002020-04-29T01:12:16.056-04:00Featured Hotel - Mountain Lodge and Conference Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRpq4tBec0hpBKqZPgOYgVIql34Vi3P-HV4sKitjBUXK47csFEvu9-M9mIPR2TL-BukujE7J2zKFqK2PQZx5olBjVBKpTKFjeJDwIgrKuJEiHm3D78Yr1vcnjRybrQJPM4fBILJUsK4o/s1600/Secrets+of+a+Thriving+Hotel+Premier+Issue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRpq4tBec0hpBKqZPgOYgVIql34Vi3P-HV4sKitjBUXK47csFEvu9-M9mIPR2TL-BukujE7J2zKFqK2PQZx5olBjVBKpTKFjeJDwIgrKuJEiHm3D78Yr1vcnjRybrQJPM4fBILJUsK4o/s640/Secrets+of+a+Thriving+Hotel+Premier+Issue.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Western North Carolina continues to attract travelers from all parts of the world. Eager tourists have made Western North Carolina (WNC) one of the most visited and most loved places to visit simply because of the beautiful scenery, moderate climate with four distinct seasons, and the hospitality. This area also consistently receives accolades for being a haven with a thriving community for creative artists, for having a tall listing of restaurants with delectable menus for well traveled foodies, and for becoming a favorite destination to experience the best craft beers in the US.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYiRI5f5TZbUXYxW9kM4Ei5o1OwxJf1V2SyY0tomB5jU_D0wIJkE6pghFD6_glOA6j3edFHoB3yAopneeMg5j8HY-wylrsxUPQp2ycCu39DWDFkQJNNgGytrHTgU4M0IxsluZm0GvLN4/s1600/Main+Lodge+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYiRI5f5TZbUXYxW9kM4Ei5o1OwxJf1V2SyY0tomB5jU_D0wIJkE6pghFD6_glOA6j3edFHoB3yAopneeMg5j8HY-wylrsxUPQp2ycCu39DWDFkQJNNgGytrHTgU4M0IxsluZm0GvLN4/s320/Main+Lodge+7.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The owners of Mountain Lodge and Conference Center strategically had that in mind when they started construction for this hotel in September of 2007. They opened for business in July of 2008. This local, independently owned hotel was custom designed and built by the owners to meet the desires and requests of guests that stayed at one of their earlier established sister properties, Mountain Inn and Suites.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mountain Lodge and Conference Center is located in Hendersonville, NC and close to everything tourists love about WNC. Although a comfortable thirty minute drive separates them from the always popular downtown Asheville, NC, they are actually perfectly situated so you can enjoy several nearby cities with numerous choices of things to do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> You will find the all-suite rooms at Mountain Lodge to be well-maintained and neatly decorated with a hint of cosmopolitan living, yet cozy enough to still feel like an organic mountain experience. Each room includes spacious living areas, sleeper sofa pull-outs, and full kitchens. Mountain Lodge also provides all the amenities of a corporate hotel.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGFAwjVd5zDU30FLZrlvEziyJlO04Rfvs9GcQ5_FYqyWlGB8uN27teompBm0EDHbipAlsBOpoXElVH6e43lsfCQaxlrbgkdZAWrHc-Xg7oUNt_GMuZ7ip9U_v4of6Z3RdwgNHJmiCnFk/s1600/One+Bedroom+King+Suite+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGFAwjVd5zDU30FLZrlvEziyJlO04Rfvs9GcQ5_FYqyWlGB8uN27teompBm0EDHbipAlsBOpoXElVH6e43lsfCQaxlrbgkdZAWrHc-Xg7oUNt_GMuZ7ip9U_v4of6Z3RdwgNHJmiCnFk/s320/One+Bedroom+King+Suite+6.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy47jbQcr7Pw1LfzDidM9HrnECkZg85QfoCx1vvS-m7lc7yndUmc5WtfG7UlJi1n9lOsOIyjIKcC1zyrf6WDjElK4HXsYRw0h_hvfxEFBhDphe_zZHQbwTw9S0K5p_OSsShMy5VEWPruE/s1600/Studio+Suite+w+2+Dbl+Beds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy47jbQcr7Pw1LfzDidM9HrnECkZg85QfoCx1vvS-m7lc7yndUmc5WtfG7UlJi1n9lOsOIyjIKcC1zyrf6WDjElK4HXsYRw0h_hvfxEFBhDphe_zZHQbwTw9S0K5p_OSsShMy5VEWPruE/s320/Studio+Suite+w+2+Dbl+Beds+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDKgl4yGz9IqrzI4Ep0T_pJqyClTbB5WPkqpyY-TnTGinaXN3VVUKdF3lWzYGEEIa1jf6hQ49TkM_8hOMvqSg2-l6JUwoGkc7PUBSzl3w3K1ifYsnvEzBSeA9ll8wNargmrdRPSlWrj4/s1600/Studio+Suite+w+2+Dbl+Beds+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDKgl4yGz9IqrzI4Ep0T_pJqyClTbB5WPkqpyY-TnTGinaXN3VVUKdF3lWzYGEEIa1jf6hQ49TkM_8hOMvqSg2-l6JUwoGkc7PUBSzl3w3K1ifYsnvEzBSeA9ll8wNargmrdRPSlWrj4/s320/Studio+Suite+w+2+Dbl+Beds+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, there are a few extras you will enjoy at Mountain Lodge that you probably will not get to experience elsewhere for the same price. Yes. Mountain Lodge has an indoor heated pool, but they can also boast they have a nature trail located in a private and spacious area behind their hotel. They also have a basketball area if you want to shoot a few hoops or play a pick-up game with other guests.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrUig8-anmBMZMpPLqQ3vd0DDvmAOrz9-iDGAo1-H-k0wBREN0bNFqkb5FDq7r8j927oQDXWz_CIhf_z1VJl0HSWpqdoHY_csbSFlQlb64V17tLlyggxFBWbZU0fyJlHZ-xCUet1_Z_s/s1600/Wedding+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrUig8-anmBMZMpPLqQ3vd0DDvmAOrz9-iDGAo1-H-k0wBREN0bNFqkb5FDq7r8j927oQDXWz_CIhf_z1VJl0HSWpqdoHY_csbSFlQlb64V17tLlyggxFBWbZU0fyJlHZ-xCUet1_Z_s/s400/Wedding+5.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the best secret aspects and strongest selling points for this hotel property is the large waterfall located behind their lodge, complete with a large open grassy area. This is a perfect backdrop for special events, which might explain why Mountain Lodge is becoming known as a place for destination weddings. Their meeting and event area is pretty spectacular as well. You will definitely come away with an amazing experience here without breaking your budget.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KUqjRvm9VLkDYzFCSFHoqk3tLouUpmwK4Ek9penyPI70RMWew08753mAK-RuLDqX8L-9RNXWkkUabnRbxSXOYf8XP3uoT1hqZ7TA_GS9LKIGAnRGB57qV3N5H2414PInUAiy7N6CwAA/s1600/Wedding+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KUqjRvm9VLkDYzFCSFHoqk3tLouUpmwK4Ek9penyPI70RMWew08753mAK-RuLDqX8L-9RNXWkkUabnRbxSXOYf8XP3uoT1hqZ7TA_GS9LKIGAnRGB57qV3N5H2414PInUAiy7N6CwAA/s400/Wedding+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNvpNtSxnkFUW2zyLB7F16KAwyUhGfsIqYKw7Ue9Yr4YZiaa9mnb-c058WbqzhjdhLGQxe63q2baz3EkYwigEfMHPZJA85dEY_5HmSZRFv4aWDewGpBXxP0gdvSZId8FQAZSCRJsFs0Y/s1600/Meeting+Space+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNvpNtSxnkFUW2zyLB7F16KAwyUhGfsIqYKw7Ue9Yr4YZiaa9mnb-c058WbqzhjdhLGQxe63q2baz3EkYwigEfMHPZJA85dEY_5HmSZRFv4aWDewGpBXxP0gdvSZId8FQAZSCRJsFs0Y/s320/Meeting+Space+26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooAR4he3gjTcsKTqs02lZiCR7ssenCWU1fRYXuZ-Mw3rF0tJFupX5PL2Ts2RKXxaps_4M5l9WBL92v6KZ9ho-X4806qlOOrjhFebEF-R_8xGmQrlT63n-NVYBh2KJZilakPgMC_54Kvg/s1600/Meeting+Space+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooAR4he3gjTcsKTqs02lZiCR7ssenCWU1fRYXuZ-Mw3rF0tJFupX5PL2Ts2RKXxaps_4M5l9WBL92v6KZ9ho-X4806qlOOrjhFebEF-R_8xGmQrlT63n-NVYBh2KJZilakPgMC_54Kvg/s320/Meeting+Space+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The owners of Mountain Lodge and Conference Center are involved in community events and local charities, including being host to the upcoming Barq in the Parq event. This charitable event was established in 2014 by local radio station, WTZQ. Even though last year marked its debut, the event raised $1000 within a few hours to benefit three charities (Blue Ridge Humane Society, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, and Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue). The event was so popular that it has become an annual event. The large lawn behind Mountain Lodge is a perfect location for such an outdoor event.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though Mountain Lodge is a local, independently owned hotel, they are highly recommended via reviews from previous guests. In fact, they have higher scores than some of the more well-known hotel brands in the WNC area. We decided to take a closer look at this hotel, get to know the owners, and feature them in the first issue of Secrets of a Thriving Hotel.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">We sat
down with Scott Mutchmore, who is the Operating Partner for the Lodge,
and Mary Bell, who is their Director of Sales and Marketing. We shared a
conversation about the hospitality industry and the success of Mountain Lodge and
Conference Center.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. In fact, it is the only profession he has ever known, and his passion shines brightly. His first 15 years were involved in the full service segment where he gathered experience from major hotel brands. According to Scott, the early years of his career allowed him to lay the foundation of standards and expectations from the big boys, to then help create their own brand, concept, vision, and mission at Mountain Lodge. Mary also enjoys her job at the hotel. Her previous experience as a professional wedding/event planner is a huge plus for group sales. Mary is passionate about helping group directors create custom packages with memorable details that will fit their budget.</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><b>STH (Secrets of a Thriving Hotel): What motivates you as a hotel owner to have a successful hotel?</b></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Scott M (Scott Mutchmore): <span style="color: black;">Leadership and happy employees. It starts with your employees. I am one - and the volume of them collectively is twenty. The happier the employees – the happier the guests. The happier the employees – the happier the environment. How they walk into their job every morning is important to me. (Their smile, their eagerness to get here and do their job and take ownership of their respective area.) So it is a combination of things. I always wanted to be a coach. I<br />never got that chance so I kind of have a sort of coach mentality here at the hotel. I coach the team to victory and make sure the employees are happy. J. W. Marriott, 60 years ago said that if you take care of employees, they will take care of the guests. That just helps the top from the bottom up. It's that simple. Leadership is leading by example. That's my goal. We are fortunate in our 7 year history that our 19 full and part-time employees collectively make a total of 70 years of experience working together. With that being said, 70 years together under one little roof, (64 room all suite hotel) can create some dynamic and wonderful things. Another key is to also have virtually zero turnovers in the last 7 years.</span></b></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqMblVXJoo9qZ9Jspfg0hAshTJMUBX1wlwQ0PuNmtdJDxtqHn0iIarjjun3DILk8LYSVjKvOl_L_qUx2Vh7dLeOu6auUpunKl9JfLlf3Ja8GBhkThBdRR5-S99Jqv0KeZyBqDNBX2RDg/s1600/Executive+Chef+Antoinette+Binedell+Mtn+Lodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqMblVXJoo9qZ9Jspfg0hAshTJMUBX1wlwQ0PuNmtdJDxtqHn0iIarjjun3DILk8LYSVjKvOl_L_qUx2Vh7dLeOu6auUpunKl9JfLlf3Ja8GBhkThBdRR5-S99Jqv0KeZyBqDNBX2RDg/s320/Executive+Chef+Antoinette+Binedell+Mtn+Lodge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Executive Chef for Mountain Lodge and Conference Center, Antoinette Binedell moved from South Africa to Western North Carolina for the same reasons many tourists love this beautiful area: a mild climate, four distinct seasons, and extremely friendly people. She fits right in while serving her delectable dishes with warm hospitality.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: How important have guest reviews been for your hotel?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scott M: <span style="color: black;">It has been huge. Reviews, unfortunately in today's age can make you or break you. Out of the 200+ reviews we have on TripAdvisor – 95 % of those are very, very positive. There's a few that were just not happy for a few things that were out of our control, but yes, Internet reviews are critical. Any on-line social media, on-line publication, website or tool is key to today's success in the hotel industry, including moving forward for everyone.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: Who checks the reviews that you have on various sites and responds to them?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scott M: <span style="color: black;">It is a collective team effort. Mary Bell, our director of sales and marketing, who does a phenomenal job has done a great job of making sure we are visible with our Internet optimizations. She has done a great job spear heading that. Her and I as a team, her more so than me, monitor the reviews and feedback so we can react accordingly, fix and improve what we need to.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: How often do you typically check between the two of you? Is that a weekly thing, or every<br />day occurrence?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scott M: <span style="color: black;">It's an every day thing. We utilize our third shift. For a lot of hotels, third shift is kind of a sleep shift. Out of the 8 hour shifts our third shift employees work a good solid 7, and part of that is checking social sites because they have the time without a lot of interruptions. Our third shift is very knowledgeable of the Internet. They even have notes for me sometimes when I arrive in the morning.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: This is a local, independently owned hotel, correct?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scott M: <span style="color: black;">Thank you. Yes! We are very proud of that! I am very blessed to have two other business partners, who between them have 126 years here in Henderson County. So their combined 126 years and my 14 makes 140 years here in Henderson County. That is homegrown!</span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: What are some benefits to being independently owned?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Scott M: <span style="color: black;">Well, as we know in life, there are pros and cons to everything. The only disadvantage we have (which means everything else is an advantage), is just the national marketing and aggressive campaigns you see with major brands. We just don't have brand awareness and scheduled media campaigns. So the advantages are that we are able to focus on our employees and our guests versus corporate red tape and procedures and policies from a corporate office, a brand, or both. More time<br />spent on our employees and guests is an equation for success, which is nice.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9qAOe8Xa4wwZ61qJqVFrS8j7dWImHCHMC9c3DWcPgouw7TjYaRoEXF7kzZMUGqGwVWCFUMLBOb1ckrD7XmT5qD16Dkc-VNDTiEm1m0AdNTlqqd2zpUGMRr-DISL_GdWAiXY9YDvBbO0/s1600/Front+desk+employees+Bonnie+Shook+and+Sophia+Rodriguez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9qAOe8Xa4wwZ61qJqVFrS8j7dWImHCHMC9c3DWcPgouw7TjYaRoEXF7kzZMUGqGwVWCFUMLBOb1ckrD7XmT5qD16Dkc-VNDTiEm1m0AdNTlqqd2zpUGMRr-DISL_GdWAiXY9YDvBbO0/s400/Front+desk+employees+Bonnie+Shook+and+Sophia+Rodriguez.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Front desk associates, Bonnie and Sophia recommend these local restaurants when you visit Hendersonville, NC: <i>Mezzaluna, Never Blue, Square Root, and Champa.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: What can you tell us about your competitors?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Mary B (Mary Bell): <span style="color: black;">I think Henderson county and the entire area of Western North Carolina is filled with some amazing properties. These are service driven, educated, and well experienced people. They do a phenomenal job. I don't really look at other businesses as competitors. I consider them partners,and I love to be able to share properties with clients that we may not be a good fit for or perhaps we are overbooked. I know they would do a great job for them as well. We welcome that kind of shared relationship with every one in this area. We have a fine reputation, and we have a wonderful relationship with the other properties. I think that is fundamental and I would like to continue it.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Scott M: <span style="color: black;">The only thing I would add to Mary's thoughts is that you really do need to know your competitors better than they know themselves. If you can do that, then you are ahead of the game, even while still being partners.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: What would you say is the top three fundamental essentials for a successful hotel?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scott M: <span style="color: black;">Obviously, it is the people making the business. You have to hire right, train right, and lead by example. Those are the three keys. You can have a great product, an average product, or a below average product, but the people can make all three of those levels better, great, or even greater by just the people themselves. People buy from people.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: Why is it important to strive for repeat business as a hotel?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scott M: <span style="color: black;">Well, as we know, for any industry, repeat business, whether it is retail, a McDonald's, a department store, or even a drive through car wash – repeat customers can then be walking billboards. If we sell 18,000 rooms a year and 90,000 of those are repeat, I sure hope those repeats, for sure, are going to tell 10 people, which may tell 10 more people. And then the 9,000 new ones – I sure hope they return and tell people. So really, word of mouth is key, especially when you are independent and you don't have a lot of marketing / advertising dollars set aside for media outlets.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;">STH: What promotional efforts have you found that work best for your hotel and location given that you are independently<span style="color: black;"> </span>operated?</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">Scott M:<span style="color: black;"> As an independent, you have to just pray that the guest does leave with a very very favorable and unique experience. One of our guests told us on a comment card, “Great job! Move over, Disney, because the Lodge is stealing your magic.” So for every guest that walks through those doors, you gotta make sure you create a wow effect. You can have billboards. You can be on Facebook and on TripAdvisor, but if you sold 18,000 rooms, and they did not leave with a wow factor or a Magical Kingdom effect, it may cost you. Just do your job, smile, and welcome your guests. It costs nothing. There's no billboard cost. There's no paper clip cost. It's free for a smile, a warm welcome, and clean<br />rooms.</span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;">STH: What characteristics do you look for when hiring employees?</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">Scott M: <span style="color: black;">My approach, honestly, is different from most. I feel a lot of work places don't give employees the opportunities to succeed whether, no matter how skilled they are, or how much<br />experience they have. I hire a lot of people that a lot of people wouldn't for various reasons that employers go by. As we like to be different in providing woos and magical experiences, we also like to then hire people who are on the cutting edge of being a superstar but have never been given a chance. So really for us, it's firm handshake, a warm smile, the commitment to really want to succeed as a person and as an employee. All we ever want in life is just a little attention, guidance, and consistent leadership. That's all we really want. We also, all of us in this world, want to be part of a family. So if we can provide the guidance, the leadership, the warmth and the family environment, and these people will be receptive to that, those are your better long-term, low turn over type employees.</span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;">STH: Does your hotel engage in on-going training for your employees?</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">Scott M:<span style="color: black;"> With a low turn-over, it keeps training costs down, and also keeps the common vision and mission to exceed our guests expectations at every turn, every stay, every day. We stay in-house with all of our training and lead by example.</span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: #666666;">STH: In regards to the economy and the hospitality industry, some strategists are forecasting that the economy has improved. They also say consumers are feeling more confident in their<br />spending. Have either of you noticed an increase in prospective groups, individual sales or overall revenue for your hotel?</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scott M: <span style="color: black;">Yes. The recession of 2008 – everybody saw a huge dip in demand, in occupancy and average rates. 2011 had a little bit of a turn. 2012 turned more for the better. 2013 and 2014 we saw the area being able to drive the rate more, as well as occupancy being driven as well. So there is positive, favorable trends being predicted for 2015 and 2016.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei_ad8mIx5KJLCabaDOH0ug2H1bfEHd0NmFs30mf84u_xDFxEjXpztOFZc_yvVUHNzGIL17LOZY8p6qWF9zUNL3kIcb9hL1fOulz05K4niZhcvJpZQd5BS9lOUB443lY5XmuPNfNZWUM/s1600/interview_Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei_ad8mIx5KJLCabaDOH0ug2H1bfEHd0NmFs30mf84u_xDFxEjXpztOFZc_yvVUHNzGIL17LOZY8p6qWF9zUNL3kIcb9hL1fOulz05K4niZhcvJpZQd5BS9lOUB443lY5XmuPNfNZWUM/s320/interview_Mary.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">Mary B: <span style="color: black;">Absolutely. I speak often with repeat customers who were unable to come back for financial reasons with their groups in the last 7 years, but came back last year or want to come back this year. As far as weddings, people are going to get married whether they are rich or poor, so those numbers have not changed -but what people are budgeting for weddings has changed quite a bit. Same with special events. People are budgeting higher so we are able to give a greater wow factor for those type of clients who are budgeting more, which is nice. Of course, being a private lodge, we have tons of flexibility, and I myself work hard every day to custom build packages and affordable rates, that include whatever that particular client's budget and needs are. Everything is done per the client's request.</span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> The value for what people receive and for what they pay here is tremendously different than most area venues. At this time I am referring to the Lodge as a venue as opposed to a hotel. I am talking strictly about groups and events, parties, and weddings. To my knowledge, we are the only area venue that includes taxes and gratuities for our clients and that is huge. We try to keep that process of prices and quotes very very simple and easy for clients. One thing that seems to be a recurring comment is that it is so difficult to plan a party or a wedding because there is a venue minimum and a food and beverage minimum, and a guest count minimum. There is all these minimums - and we just want to know how much our party is going to cost. Here, we factor everything in and we give them the bottom line with taxes, services and gratuities and labor, absolutely everything is included. It has been overwhelmingly<br />appreciated.</span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkztVwIZxoFCnn_R6T9Z6PzDjY9DHNW4yGKBJfITVltT0Lxbn23iWutfhhb7-ofciWo_k8-Cv6BjBZ7puYsOJTqyh7m4n7Uw9-wRhAYPtcGAAP-x8hRswia0_jywd1gVxw8F9uNtZzk6w/s1600/Director+of+Sales+%2526+Marketing+Mary+Bell+at+Mountain+Lodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkztVwIZxoFCnn_R6T9Z6PzDjY9DHNW4yGKBJfITVltT0Lxbn23iWutfhhb7-ofciWo_k8-Cv6BjBZ7puYsOJTqyh7m4n7Uw9-wRhAYPtcGAAP-x8hRswia0_jywd1gVxw8F9uNtZzk6w/s400/Director+of+Sales+%2526+Marketing+Mary+Bell+at+Mountain+Lodge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mary Bell, Director of Sales & Marketing offers these tips for a successful event at Mountain Lodge and Conference Center: "Having an idea of your preferred date, guest count, dining style preference, and a few other basic concepts will prove very helpful in preparing a quote. It is also very helpful to know your preferred budget for your event - even if it's only a ballpark guess! This way we can work our magic and find ways to give you absolutely everything you want - at a price you are 150% comfortable with." </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STH: In closing, what sets Mountain Lodge and Conference Center apart from all other hotels in Hendersonville, NC and the Western North Carolina region?</b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Scott M: <span style="color: black;">It's the people. Clear as can be. It's all out the people and the staff who genuinely and sincerely care about our guests - and that is why the guests keep coming back. People buy from people.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></b></span></span></i><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></i></b></span> <a href="http://mountainlodgeflatrock.com/" target="_blank">Website for Mountain Lodge and Conference Center</a></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xib9jk6m1KeO_83klpaoPqOg5yOx9C0MhUp8hemoXec7qlmjlhfFwSAbDlXUqcj5Th6vo6GHQ6SscXCL5c9bORePIvXdiQJR8IddCeKV0V4WnyIn2STbeQFMcA7XKKcILpUaWW9awDo/s1600/Meeting+Space+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xib9jk6m1KeO_83klpaoPqOg5yOx9C0MhUp8hemoXec7qlmjlhfFwSAbDlXUqcj5Th6vo6GHQ6SscXCL5c9bORePIvXdiQJR8IddCeKV0V4WnyIn2STbeQFMcA7XKKcILpUaWW9awDo/s640/Meeting+Space+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">More Featured Hotels</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4iXXNFao9uJzSwgx-kU3W3EWq7Wby3EIfeeV6yMz4xDTsw3Z5feRA3g4yW-vADZfEFcVOGxHeR45NwTKvM2s9GMapj7jcuFqm9Id6c5IxZllsADQSIk6B7RB-eoNLV5lwsbkPp4WwOE/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4iXXNFao9uJzSwgx-kU3W3EWq7Wby3EIfeeV6yMz4xDTsw3Z5feRA3g4yW-vADZfEFcVOGxHeR45NwTKvM2s9GMapj7jcuFqm9Id6c5IxZllsADQSIk6B7RB-eoNLV5lwsbkPp4WwOE/s320/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2015/10/our-featured-hotel-candlewood-suites.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Candlewood Suites - Greenville</span></b></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWIWflaWZDrw4ItVOQccqoIPL928v35QUi49G_VsUBAvsJzItoUlOx9107auREUzZqIGEyOJbQ9Bb_ZjsOjbPBcNBHYkyCthZWI1uFQe8xX4P4gNKSCw-YpKVHf_D9yBipdH_41ymC3s/s1600/rjreynoldsbuilding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWIWflaWZDrw4ItVOQccqoIPL928v35QUi49G_VsUBAvsJzItoUlOx9107auREUzZqIGEyOJbQ9Bb_ZjsOjbPBcNBHYkyCthZWI1uFQe8xX4P4gNKSCw-YpKVHf_D9yBipdH_41ymC3s/s320/rjreynoldsbuilding.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2016/05/our-featured-hotel.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Cardinal Hotel</span></span></b></a></span><br />
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
</h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-88398267901840694802016-11-12T09:30:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:47:37.574-04:00Exclusive Hotel Management Profile - Michael Heater<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael Heater is the General Manager for Candlewood Suites in
Greenville, SC, which is owned by Midas Hospitality located in St.
Louis, MO.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Before Michael graduated from Clemson University, he worked on
weekends at a local, independently owned hotel to help pay his way
through college.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
He ended up buying into the company as an investment and loved it. He
eventually recognized that the hotel could not ultimately sustain
itself in the hotel market. </span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he neared the age of forty, Michael wanted to do something different with his career so he joined Hospitality America, who owned Hampton Inn located in downtown Simpsonville, SC. He acquired experience with the Hilton brand when he helped open a Hampton Inn. He also later managed an Embassy Suites, which provided even more solid Hilton background.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK1pxV5E3i9TwIMFvoMmrgtelE64TS9igdzq3pam3nRQp1g1dFabdkcr-k89p2lJJxxh1dlL6JnjASzlGnZmAMkkdg8g7qnEPR8-Fabj_5uMs5oPvw1qgxi0SefUffLUBG6TmYZQ2FRw/s1600/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-manager-Michael-Heater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK1pxV5E3i9TwIMFvoMmrgtelE64TS9igdzq3pam3nRQp1g1dFabdkcr-k89p2lJJxxh1dlL6JnjASzlGnZmAMkkdg8g7qnEPR8-Fabj_5uMs5oPvw1qgxi0SefUffLUBG6TmYZQ2FRw/s400/Our-Featured-Hotel-CandlewoodSuites-Oct2015-manager-Michael-Heater.jpg" width="326" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>A personal defining moment triggered a pivotal change for Michael's
career. <span style="background: transparent;">Although
Michael has experienced personal success in the hotel industry, h</span><span style="background: transparent;">e
highly values his family</span><span style="background: transparent;">.
Like most professionals, Michael was trying to juggle a balanced
work/home life, but at one point he recognized that it had become
quite a challenge.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">“My
wife has a good career,” says Michael. “We were both traveling a
lot. I remember the day we were going to the airport, leaving for the
week, and our newborn son was crying. We looked at each other and
decided we couldn't do this. We have a child. So one of us had to
stop – and so I did. My wife kept working, and I stepped back for a
year and helped with my son. After that, every time they asked me to
move, I would quit the company and go somewhere else. I was given the
choice to move away from Greenville but I took the job with
Candlewood because it was a quality of life decision for me. I wanted
to have a fun job and I wanted to stay in Greenville.” </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Michael is involved in his
community and is passionate about cultivating new business leaders
for the Greenville, SC area.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">He is a
graduate of Leadership Greenville, which is an incredible
organization that the Greenville Chamber of Commerce does, according
to Michael. It involves a classroom of fifty people that meet for an
entire year of classes with things to experience, including the
privilege of shadowing the governor of SC for one day. Ultimately,
the students learn how to be future leaders of Greenville, SC. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">“It's
all about relationships,” says Michael. “I am very involved in
the Chamber because I believe the Chamber is great for Greenville.”
Michael currently teaches a youth leadership class that is designed
to engage high school juniors and expose them to the city of
Greenville. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Michael
notes, “Yes, they will go off to
college, but many of them will come back and be leaders here in our
town. I think that is an important part of our
growth. We have examples of people
coming back including the
President of Michelin. Vice-presidents
of other companies have also returned
and made this their home after going through Leadership Greenville.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Michael is president of the Greenville chapter of the South Carolina
Restaurant and Lodging Association. Michael says, “I have a passion
for our industry and I have done that for 2 years. It's kind of the
voice of our industry.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">In the past, Michael has served
on the school board for Christ Church and has always tried to stay
involved while his son has been a student.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Michael loves his city. “It's
a great city to be involved,” says Michael. “There is more
philanthropy in this city than probably anywhere in the world. People
care about Greenville. That is why I have stayed here my whole
career. I love the city, the people and the leadership here.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">He is open to relocating and
furthering his career, but only after his son goes to college, which
will occur within three years. He looks forward to helping Midas grow
and knows that will probably involve some travel. According to
Michael, Midas Hospitality is currently focusing on growth in the
southern part of the United States, and he would love to see more
hotel development in the Greenville, SC area.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Midas Hospitality opened
Candlewood Suites in Greenville, SC in October of 2013; Michael has
been with them every step of the way. They have experienced
phenomenal success in a very short amount of time. Most of that
success can be attributed to Michael's leadership.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">We asked Michael to list what
he believes to be the top fundamental essentials for a successful
hotel. He replied, “Obviously, your team. I can't run this place by
myself. You need to have a good foundation for your team. You have to
have the products. You have to have ownership to support that – but
I can't stress enough the team that supports you and has to deliver.
Every night I turn the keys over to them - which is a multi-million
dollar asset - and say, 'Make sure we fill tonight.' I have to know
that they will make the same decisions that I would. You have to
trust your team to make the right decisions and give them the
empowerment to run the hotel like you would. At
the bottom of any decision should be the guest. Make sure you satisfy
that guest. Always go above their expectations. If they feel like
they deserve something,
then give them double.” </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Michael shares what type of
person he feels is a great candidate to work in the hospitality
industry.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">“You have to love people;
otherwise you will not be successful. At my last job I sat at my desk
doing spreadsheets for </span><span style="background: transparent;">six</span><span style="background: transparent;">
hours and I hated it. Sometimes I would go out and answer the
switchboard just to talk to people. I was like a caged animal. You
have to have that conversation with guests. You also have to love
creating experiences for them. </span>You are creating loyalty for
your brand when you satisfy your guests. <span style="background: transparent;">Guests
know if you are being genuine about wanting to exceed their
expectations. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Sales is
also important and being friendly.”</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Michael enjoys working with Midas Hospitality and seems to thrive
under their management. He appreciates the fact that they trust him
to do what he feels is best at his hotel property. “It's a great
atmosphere and so refreshing. I try and manage the hotel as if I
owned it. It gives us room to grow and groom our team to advance. I
always try to hire people I think are leaders.”
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Michael Heater has won several Manager of the Year awards.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2015/10/our-featured-hotel-candlewood-suites.html" target="_blank">Read Our Featured Hotel - Candlewood Suites, Greenville.</a> </b>Learn more about their team and how they have experienced success </span><span style="font-style: normal;">in
a short amount of time</span><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-86074836200028278292016-11-11T05:30:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:49:16.540-04:00Remarkable Hospitality - Four Timeless Principles<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Rocco Santopietro - Contributing Writer</i></b></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRoK-tutqHzg2nYlMy7gh3NPZxnF9hG1KAQ_i1rKPqi21CxNoUub4WuY_nnwH0iC_Jx9ntEPfnS7sV36B7fFdZwqa3_hXp0FBvNmQqsFfZEcUy1f5bhroRb2KW5Mt8iwL8j6mcm_ciJA/s1600/RemarkableHospitality.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRoK-tutqHzg2nYlMy7gh3NPZxnF9hG1KAQ_i1rKPqi21CxNoUub4WuY_nnwH0iC_Jx9ntEPfnS7sV36B7fFdZwqa3_hXp0FBvNmQqsFfZEcUy1f5bhroRb2KW5Mt8iwL8j6mcm_ciJA/s400/RemarkableHospitality.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
I believe and actively practice, day in day out, these four timeless principles, that are to me, the four main pillars of our industry. They will stand the test of time - no matter how technological, connected and automated hospitality becomes. Actually, in this social media era where everyone acts as a publisher, there is additional marketing value to <i>being remarkable</i>.</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
My four pillars fall under the acronym <span style="color: red;">SNAP</span>:</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>S</b></span>ense of urgency </div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>N</b></span>o excuses </div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>A</b></span>ttention to detail </div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b>P</b></span>ride of ownership </li>
</ul>
<h2 class="western" style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 class="western">
<span style="color: red;">Sense of Urgency</span></h2>
I believe this to be the key of hospitality. Our business just naturally attracts a high percentage of people with a sense of urgency about them – there is just too much to be done! The truth is that guests staying in your hotel are counting on you and you should never disappoint them. A sense of urgency is an unrelenting push for results, or identifying matters of pressing importance and acting upon them immediately. You must avoid resting on the laurels of success. Everything in hospitality is designed to meet the discerning needs of our guests. Ultimately, it is what defines our operating standards – check out times, turn-down service, dining reservations and minutes to delivery quoted by room service, are all designed to meet guests’ satisfaction. When practiced with a sense of urgency, our intention is to exceed guests’ expectations. In hospitality, a “sense of urgency” is a good thing. Yet many hoteliers confuse this with a “sense of emergency”, which insidiously saps the life from their operations.<br />
<h2 class="western">
</h2>
<h2 class="western">
<span style="color: red;">No Excuses</span></h2>
I love the motto: Offer no excuses and accept no excuses. It tells you a lot about someone who makes excuses and tells you a lot about someone who refuses to. When we host a guest at our establishment, implicitly we make a promise. Delivering this promise should be done consistently at all times. There are no shortcuts in quality and we all learn from our mistakes. One often hears excuses from managers when they have a bad result from an inspection. The chef or the restaurant manager was off, the head housekeeper was on holiday, and so on. There are often legitimate reasons why these mistakes happen. You can explain to customers why things went bad, but what guests really want is the mistake quickly fixed on the spot, long before their stay is ruined. So forget the excuses, and have a plan in place to fix the problem – and I mean any problem that may arise. Speed and efficiency during a crisis saves the day. Most guests will deal well with a problem if they know you’re doing your best to fix it. What they don’t want to hear are excuses.<br />
<h2 class="western">
</h2>
<h2 class="western">
<span style="color: red;">Attention to Detail</span></h2>
True hoteliers know that small details exemplify their service and make guests’ stays more comfortable. There’s a delicate balance between proactive and presumptive service. The guest should feel in command and not dictated to. Hoteliers should think things through, have a sense of priority and attention to detail, be practical and follow-through. Hoteliers should ask questions, give options, and the let the guest decide. No matter how elaborate your turn-down service is or how packed with technology your hotel rooms are, it’s the staff that really make the difference. Engaged staff are intuitive to guests’ needs and go out their way to help. They surprise the guest with their knowledge of their likes and dislikes (“Would you like a glass of the white wine you had last night, Mr Brown?”), open doors, and deliver service with an unwavering smile, no matter how tired, fed up, or busy they may be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8940957441261692398" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<h2 class="western">
</h2>
<h2 class="western">
<span style="color: red;">Pride of Ownership</span></h2>
As well as focusing on the guest, hoteliers should trust, nurture and recognize the ability of every staff member. Empowering them and instilling a pride of ownership will make them go beyond their job tasks and adapt and modify their services to meet guest’s needs. They will add those little touches that go beyond the usual, taking pride in their craft and giving that crucial, ultimate edge in the competitive hospitality business.<br />
The bottom line: SNAP is simply the way to create a memorable experience and make a guest know great service when they do find it. It feels brilliant and rare, but at the same time completely natural. It is an experience guests will want to repeat and tell their friends, colleagues and online reviews about – the way things should be.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>About Rocco Santopietro</b></span><br />
<a href="http://4frdl93cz6p7yjut62xk8sj4.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Rocco-Santopietro-e1449556123603.jpg"><span style="color: navy;"></span></a> <i>Rocco Santopietro is a mentor and coach who focuses on building new business, securing guest loyalty and forging strong relationships. Rocco has many years operational experience in five-star properties and a strong track record of providing excellent customer services improving quality scores and overall performance.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2016/05/hospitality-community-spotlight.html" target="_blank">Read Rocco's personal story about his career in the hospitality industry</a> </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-24734191891155974692016-11-10T00:00:00.000-05:002018-07-19T11:49:59.322-04:00Feedback from Hotel Guests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz5vZqOoXgKcPOvp4Sks9_rQ_7jHXKACUTEJKoXVs2fBSFjX69Wqd6IV8RA074S_epquPu5Oxh_GbgTr37c629kcCL5whC2ZMFGbkD6z0NgGhquiuzV6RfGot4ncfuHJTj4ePrqzFpsA/s1600/FeedbackfromHotelGuests.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz5vZqOoXgKcPOvp4Sks9_rQ_7jHXKACUTEJKoXVs2fBSFjX69Wqd6IV8RA074S_epquPu5Oxh_GbgTr37c629kcCL5whC2ZMFGbkD6z0NgGhquiuzV6RfGot4ncfuHJTj4ePrqzFpsA/s400/FeedbackfromHotelGuests.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Travelers share their personal thoughts, opinions, adventures and hotel experiences -- the good, the bad, and the memorable with SecretsofaThrivingHotel.com magazine. Various topics are highlighted in each issue. Always gather feedback from your guests. Use it as a tool to fine tune their overall experience at your hotel. Guest feedback is a critical aspect of your hotel's development and level of success. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qIdZaowOhAgJp-vxq-Lp0WlOTRKJQ3u7ILqLnHKuzHN-VqFPhcl0DeJVyCMD57P1wY2PYlJJmQIY4MFpBB-JSKhgUCtPWDNzxB6aQ2lA9WQSpn5aIznHoOsmVpv-xKimP6CoFl5YYiY/s1600/favorite-hotel-brands.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Guests Reveal Their Favorite Hotel Brands" border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qIdZaowOhAgJp-vxq-Lp0WlOTRKJQ3u7ILqLnHKuzHN-VqFPhcl0DeJVyCMD57P1wY2PYlJJmQIY4MFpBB-JSKhgUCtPWDNzxB6aQ2lA9WQSpn5aIznHoOsmVpv-xKimP6CoFl5YYiY/s640/favorite-hotel-brands.png" title="Feedback From Hotel Guests" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2015/10/favorite-hotel-brands-guest-feedback.html" target="_blank">Read More </a></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DKJMEJOE7rxG-u1NMd0i3AL5d289M6kdY_WO_34kCpSaXNwJU67MzburPVt806kYbh4ITZZ9atCLwyRh4YYj5JM56KzJ9UD3tR9joK936di9lEPipjPK_wDAO0faATxEHUSGhRVAmyI/s1600/guest-habits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Guests Reveal Secret Travel Habits" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DKJMEJOE7rxG-u1NMd0i3AL5d289M6kdY_WO_34kCpSaXNwJU67MzburPVt806kYbh4ITZZ9atCLwyRh4YYj5JM56KzJ9UD3tR9joK936di9lEPipjPK_wDAO0faATxEHUSGhRVAmyI/s640/guest-habits.png" title="Feedback From Hotel Guests" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2015/10/hotel-inspections-guest-feedback.html" target="_blank">Read More</a></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><b> </b></span><br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
Secrets of a Thriving Hotel invited guests to describe the first thing they typically do after checking-in at a hotel. What do you think was mentioned the most in their feedback? - See more at: http://secretsofathrivinghotel.com/page7.php#sthash.983VCuVi.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
Secrets of a Thriving Hotel invited guests to describe the first thing they typically do after checking-in at a hotel. What do you think was mentioned the most in their feedback? - See more at: http://secretsofathrivinghotel.com/page7.php#sthash.983VCuVi.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
Secrets of a Thriving Hotel invited guests to describe the first thing they typically do after checking-in at a hotel. What do you think was mentioned the most in their feedback? - See more at: http://secretsofathrivinghotel.com/page7.php#sthash.983VCuVi.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
Secrets of a Thriving Hotel invited guests to describe the first thing they typically do after checking-in at a hotel. What do you think was mentioned the most in their feedback? - See more at: http://secretsofathrivinghotel.com/page7.php#sthash.983VCuVi.dpuf</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-3917725648063650742016-09-14T21:24:00.000-04:002017-09-08T11:43:57.379-04:00Seven Easy Ways to Energize Guest Satisfaction at Your Hotel<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G-yq97GiulEGB30IWcXr6M1kdW7Sa_QWMWuadHc7tDATNYPj9_vxAHZMq8xmSQlH9Btzray6TwLGYf-R0g03QzgGzrv0Ycg8ARo3lml5sY0K10NdM0KL4jXBAsb3787wr4m0TbF-iNw/s1600/Seven-Ways-to-Energize-Guest-Satisfaction1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G-yq97GiulEGB30IWcXr6M1kdW7Sa_QWMWuadHc7tDATNYPj9_vxAHZMq8xmSQlH9Btzray6TwLGYf-R0g03QzgGzrv0Ycg8ARo3lml5sY0K10NdM0KL4jXBAsb3787wr4m0TbF-iNw/s400/Seven-Ways-to-Energize-Guest-Satisfaction1.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is no secret. Today's travelers are bombarded with lodging options. There has to be a solid reason for them to initially choose your hotel and possibly even return to your hotel for a future stay. You can reach even more potential customers if their experience is memorable and worth sharing with their family, friends and co-workers.</span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are going to expose seven ways that will help you become the hotel that stands out from other lodging options in your locale and for all the right reasons. </span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style> </div>
</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is time to energize your team and remind them to consistently aim for a higher level of awareness, genuine happiness and excellent service as they welcome guests to your hotel every single day. Sometimes we all need a reminder to boost our level of awareness of how we perceive a guest's impression of their hotel stay and what they are actually experiencing.</span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</h2>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Examine hotel experiences.</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Always be gathering feedback from guests. Train your staff to be observant of guests happiness or displeasure with anything relating to your hotel property or guest service while they are staying at your hotel. Carefully examine reviews, comments and photos shared on social media sites from previous hotel guests. Evaluate what needs attention.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Eliminate potential risks, negative feedback and other fixable issues prior to their arrival.</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Use
the feedback you have been gathering to ensure you have not overlooked
something that a current guest will remember in a negative way. This
could be issues that maintenance need to fix. It may require extra
cleaning details. Your shelves may need to be fully stocked. Your
employees might need to appear friendlier and more welcoming. Take the
negative feedback you received, fix the issues and turn it into
something more positive guests will appreciate. Do whatever you can to
avoid receiving the same negative feedback again.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Elevate their experience above what they could possibly experience at other hotels.</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The phenomenal reality about this point is that you do not have to spend excessive amounts of money to achieve this. There needs to be memorable, consistent events throughout a guests stay that will distinguish you, your guest service and your hotel facilities from any other hotel in a highly favorable, indisputable way. A clean hotel, friendly, helpful staff, and adequately stocked amenities represent what travelers expect from any hotel. You will need to find ways to do each of those things at a higher standard so you are not blending into the average hotel status quo.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Everyone should be engaging in their overall experience.</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Housekeepers, janitors, CEO's, managers, and anyone else involved in any part of the hotel business is responsible for making a difference in guest satisfaction. Acknowledge them whenever you see them in your hotel. Smile. Listen without interrupting when they share about their day, their travels, or their excitement about what they experienced in your local area. You do not have to share a long conversation. A few moments of listening goes a long way. Take ownership in your service.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Enjoy their experience with them!</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Share in their excitement about your hotel property, your local area, your hotel brand. If they are excited about something, match their enthusiasm. Maybe they tried something completely new because of your hotel location. Naturally they will be excited. If you stand out in your hotel brand, they are going to brag about you. That feels great, doesn't it? Encourage them to talk. Again, find out all you can about what excites them when they stay at your hotel or hotel brand so you can build on that for even more future guests.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>6. Extend their experience beyond their stay.</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You have multiple opportunities to do this. Take care and make sure they were not overcharged on their account. They do not want to deal with a hassle at any time during their stay or after their stay, especially as they are leaving. If they are continuing to travel after staying with you, offer to assist them with their next hotel reservation, especially if you are associated with a hotel brand. Make sure their wake-up call has been set correctly. You can easily ruin the rest of their day if they begin their morning by running late. They will remember that, especially if they are chasing a plane with their boarding pass. How about sending a personalized Thank-You note?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>7. Express gratitude for them choosing your hotel and being your guest.</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you appreciate their business, tell them so. Also, encourage them to share their experience. Continue to share the positive feedback on your social media platforms and with other guests.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style> </div>
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An awesome hotel experience for a guest will echo forever and is necessary for your hotel to be successful. If you have been searching for ideas on how to improve your guest satisfaction scores, try implementing these ideas and expect good results in return.</span></span></span></h3>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-20681015513804033122016-09-13T16:39:00.000-04:002018-07-19T11:53:11.218-04:00Travel Secrets Revealed by Global Traveler - Eliot Wadopian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JjuSv_oT78U7A001RqoJQ5aru-tPvbAFyXcG5YKQpNxI7F9degAxsJzcDNFEaw4EtQbpv1qgT2LM7EChDMnNDvt_to5ZfAPaYJyQ25hGqle2cItHw7gdjOscmRP2N4cThjJiC5P9VmQ/s1600/Travel-Secrets-Oct2015-Eliot-Wadopian.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JjuSv_oT78U7A001RqoJQ5aru-tPvbAFyXcG5YKQpNxI7F9degAxsJzcDNFEaw4EtQbpv1qgT2LM7EChDMnNDvt_to5ZfAPaYJyQ25hGqle2cItHw7gdjOscmRP2N4cThjJiC5P9VmQ/s400/Travel-Secrets-Oct2015-Eliot-Wadopian.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Musicians travel a
lot, even before they have legions of fans. Hallway parties typically
take precedence over a good <span style="text-decoration: none;">night</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">'</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">s</span>
sleep, especially if it is their<span style="font-style: normal;">
first trip out in the world. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Cheap
hotel rates make their adventure a paradise, regardless of the
accommodations.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
more professional, seasoned artist recognizes the value of a few
hours of peaceful shut-eye, especially when taking a break from a
long road trip. </span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">They
just want to connect points A and B as quickly as possible </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">and
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">share
their best perf</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">o</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">rmance
when they arrive at scheduled events. </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">They
also appreciate </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">and
can recognize</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
excellent guest service.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Grammy
multi-award winning jazz musician </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;">Eliot
Wadopian knows a thing or two about traveling the world and staying
at numerous hotels. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">As a
professional, working musician, Eliot sometimes has the benefit of
outside sources booking his hotel reservations and covering travel
expenses.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> <span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Recently,
h</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">e
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">was
</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;">hired by the Chinese
government to travel across their county and perform for nine weeks.
They provided his lodging, which typically consisted of </span><span style="font-style: normal;">first
class</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> hotels. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">He
was pleased with their cleanliness and said overall it was a great
experience. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Breakfast was
always included. He enjoyed the international experience but also
noted he wasn't sure how many noodles a western</span><span style="font-style: normal;">er</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
c</span><span style="font-style: normal;">ould</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
consume – </span><span style="font-style: normal;">even for
breakfast</span><span style="font-style: normal;">!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXOo4zWN3jG4V1otiXs1xVBx5lsRQ-eDn5PxOW2VQfpZKnQ_TPHivjNiOox5nzlxc50bi1IIrUcQujwJTzyqDBlwIwTLN8SoQ6xl6WfW7EdN-GiVYrV2m6NJK7MepGvBDSEcmUEmmKQs/s1600/Travel-Secrets-Oct2015-Eliot-Wadopian-tour01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXOo4zWN3jG4V1otiXs1xVBx5lsRQ-eDn5PxOW2VQfpZKnQ_TPHivjNiOox5nzlxc50bi1IIrUcQujwJTzyqDBlwIwTLN8SoQ6xl6WfW7EdN-GiVYrV2m6NJK7MepGvBDSEcmUEmmKQs/s320/Travel-Secrets-Oct2015-Eliot-Wadopian-tour01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">According
to Eliot, just like in any other country, </span><span style="font-style: normal;">the
accommodations are all over the place in China. </span><span style="font-style: normal;">He
encourages</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-style: normal;">travelers
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">to be careful </span><span style="font-style: normal;">just
as they would anywhere else</span><span style="font-style: normal;">.
“If you have any concerns at all, you have to think about them
because it's going to be what the </span><span style="font-style: normal;">citizens
of that particular country typically puts up with,” says Eliot.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I</span><span style="font-style: normal;">f
you like a western type hotel with a western bed, etc. you pretty
much have to stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel </span><span style="font-style: normal;">in
Asia</span><span style="font-style: normal;">, </span><span style="font-style: normal;">suggests
Eliot</span><span style="font-style: normal;">. Anything below 4 stars
gets sketchy really quickly.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Safety,
afford-ability, and location are important factors to Eliot Wadopian
when he has to choose his own lodging. Even though he has won
numerous awards and has traveled extensively on a global level,
including across Europe for his performances, he still has to
routinely make hotel reservations.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Eliot tours
with his local group, Free Planet Radio, he has experienced
difficulty in finding the right balance between quality hotels and
reasonable hotel rates. He has to pass the additional $200-$300 on to
presenters of events, and they sometimes do not understand that.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Eliot says, “In my experience, if I try to save money, I get in
kind of nasty situations. I play with the Charlotte, NC Symphony from
time to time. I have stayed at several $55-$57 hotels near the
airport - and you could tell they were rented by the hour. Hotel
costs cut into my pay so much I had to do that. It's either drive
<span style="text-decoration: none;">four hours round trip for each
Charlotte event</span> or stay in a crappy hotel to save money, do my
week and get out of there.”</span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Phone apps help Eliot make better hotel selections, especially if he
is not familiar with an area when he travels. He likes using the
website Yelp.com and reading reviews from previous hotel guests.
Eliot says, “I find reviews that people leave to be really cool.
It's also sort of interesting to see if it's just a sour grape review
or if it's a legitimate – 'This place is nasty!' I have actually
made accommodations based on reviews.”</span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
We asked Eliot what he would like to see different at hotels, and he
replied, “I really like when hotel staff is attentive and helpful.
Often times, you can get folks that are either paid so little or they
are so disenchanted with their job they are not very helpful. It sure
makes a difference when you go in a hotel and meet someone who is
welcoming and accommodating, who helps you find restaurants or
attractions in their area if you have the time. That's cool! Hotel
staff means a lot to me, particularly when I am dragging in at 11:30
pm or 1 in the morning. I know it's exhausting for them as well, but
boy oh boy, some surly guy at 1:30 in the morning...”</span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Eliot Wadopian is a diabetic, but he still has to eat just like
everyone else. He would like to see better quality selections overall
when hotels provide a breakfast. After his experience with fantastic
European spreads of breakfast, he says that is one area western
hotels are definitely lacking.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
In closing, we asked Eliot if hotel worke<span style="text-decoration: none;">rs
on average</span> are doing a good job and seem to know what they are
doing. He replied, “On average, I would say out of 10 times, <span style="text-decoration: none;">8
times - maybe 8.5 </span>- of that would be they definitely know what
they are doing and are very helpful. But - man I wish this was an
airline discussion. I would really share some feedback! But it's the
same thing with an airline or any other business. The person behind
the counter means a lot to your customers. That's a direct contact to
your customers. When that person is sort of disingenuous, I'm going
to think twice about that accommodation when I'm going through there
again.”</span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLqDLuxZLdD1T1FcpZZ_UH-Tr2sbEBecK8jgrIOPCazB4ye56RP8RJDiCjPto3El8a36NqXj1f9eG_MzOu55j55BJ8g6t-HGOw4NU53pgp8PZuXYZsQJijGD3bRktsCtpxMOmWUJiVgU/s1600/Table-of-Contents-Oct2015-Eliot-Wadopian.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLqDLuxZLdD1T1FcpZZ_UH-Tr2sbEBecK8jgrIOPCazB4ye56RP8RJDiCjPto3El8a36NqXj1f9eG_MzOu55j55BJ8g6t-HGOw4NU53pgp8PZuXYZsQJijGD3bRktsCtpxMOmWUJiVgU/s200/Table-of-Contents-Oct2015-Eliot-Wadopian.png" width="131" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>To learn more about
Eliot Wadopian and his music, visit his website:
</i><a href="http://www.eliotwadopian.com/"><b>www.eliotwadopian.com</b></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-89665584136822631282016-05-13T12:04:00.000-04:002016-09-14T23:44:53.625-04:00Hospitality Community Spotlight - Rocco Santopietro<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqJ3VmuM-XCYsZ_1tkYxZUyMIq8oFwf9VNmGyQtwmY2KKhqjAX_S5jrlP510bhz3WHNKCS9T5c_v4997h5lmvv2yNf4FIl5whN-XBIcsdpr39QNIe023rDuqNWChXctRafWs3piyEnXg/s1600/HospitalityCommunitySpotlightRoccoSantopietro.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqJ3VmuM-XCYsZ_1tkYxZUyMIq8oFwf9VNmGyQtwmY2KKhqjAX_S5jrlP510bhz3WHNKCS9T5c_v4997h5lmvv2yNf4FIl5whN-XBIcsdpr39QNIe023rDuqNWChXctRafWs3piyEnXg/s640/HospitalityCommunitySpotlightRoccoSantopietro.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately for me, I already knew that I wanted to be the manage</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">r of a 5-star ho</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">tel at the age of 10.</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The aim wasn't even focused on financial reward. I consider myself still fortunate today that I have the same passion, commitment and drive for the industry, just like the very first day I started. In the early days of my career I had the luck to have been mentored and to become a close friend by on<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e of the best General Managers I have met in my life - and the person that ultimately made me addicted to the hotelier life.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I speak of Giuseppe "Bepi" Kamenar, a sprightly elf of a man, who at an age when most others are content to sit back with folded hands, was the life, breath and soul of Villa Cipriani in Asolo.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In some of the best times of my life, we would sit late in the evening and talk about everything. I would mostly listen to his hotelier tales about members of the British or Dutch Royal Families, famous actors and actresses, or his personal friend Freya Stark, of whom he told me only one tale. He embedded in me the need for discretion with names. Bepi would always tell me, <i>"Rocco -- is good to know, bad to broadcast!"</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">One night I asked him, "Bepi, how can I be the best at what I do?"</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The answer he gave me was short and sharp. He told me simply: <i>"Rocco, the day that you do the "Right Thing" rather than "Things Right" -- and you come to work smiling and whistling -- that day you will know."</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day he gave me a small booklet that I still have. Remarkably, it was the very first employee handbook written by Harry Gordon Selfridge for his famous store in London. The first page struck me and influenced me so much that today I still try to live and operate by this principle. <span style="color: red;">It said:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Get the confidence of the public and you will have no difficulty in getting their patronage. Inspire your whole workforce with the right spirit of service; encourage every sign of true spirit. Treat your customers as guests when they come and when they go, whether or not they buy. Give them all that can be given fairly, on the principle that to him that giveth shall be given. Remember always that the recollection of quality remains long after the price is forgotten. Then your business will prosper by a natural process.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To offer a remarkable and memorable experience and to be great, a hotel needs a team of both management and staff with emotional intelligence; a team of people who quietly make guests feel comfortable and important. To sum it up in one phrase, this means intuitive people who can connect with others, with empathy and genuineness.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aiming for excellence is not a task - it can only be achieved by those who made a lifestyle choice, rather than a career, in hospitality. I'm sure most of my colleagues would agree. To me it is not about "success", but the sense of fulfillment and pride in making people feel good. My focus throughout my career has always been creating memories, trusting that the financial results will always come.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Harry Gordon Selfridge use to say, "Excite the mind and the hand will reach for the pocket."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hospitality industry has never been more challenging and exciting than it is today. Our industry is highly competitive, and to prosper you need to ensure that your operation is best in its class.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Being remarkable is what makes the difference today, and what will ultimately end up improving your operational bottom line. Offering a remarkable experience pays dividends by increasing loyalty and word of mouth. </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>More</b> </span><b>info about <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">our contributing writer, Rocco Santopietro:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></h3>
<h3>
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rocco is currently the Managing Director of Disctinctive<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One Hotels in London, United Kingdom. He has<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">extensive</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">management experience in the hospitality industry<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">properties such<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> as: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Sandals Resorts International, Red Sea Hotels, Ree<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f Oasis Hotels and Resorts, Wyndham Worldwide, South <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Medite<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rranean Stein Hotels, Mandarin Oriental H<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tel Group, and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Rit<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">z<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - London. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He has ach<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ieved remarkable and mea<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">surable success throughout his career. He is a true hospitality leader. Rocco is passionate about his commitment to excellence, but also cares about arts <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">&</span> culture, economic empowerment, and humanitarian disaster relief projects.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.secretsofathrivinghotel.com/2016/05/remarkable-hospitality-four-timeless.html" target="_blank">Read Rocco's Article: Remarkable Hospitality - Four Timeless Principles</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s1600/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsEVNRId07OBwqRGuRKf6PCaWiJgi6ZD1MCr7TpLG3_a3THlRvBMLd0llGiIL0GRzSvdZMbolNy8jX2bg9Ku1E3GVl1bwVhYQ6mpWIpKuEJsuCG9Sk73-m7bCDRVT0VfUzpLDOkvw-qI/s640/SecretsofaThrivingHotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
<i> </i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940957441261692398.post-32055613919264784832015-11-19T14:51:00.000-05:002016-05-19T23:22:19.916-04:00Hospitality Industry CEO Recognizes Our Magazine<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<i>Secrets of a Thriving Hotel</i> is a resourceful online tool that keeps you informed on industry trends, operations tips and guest relations. The blog helps keep hoteliers up-to-date on the latest news to operate successfully and efficiently."</span> </span> </span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <b>John Durst </b></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> SCRLA President and CEO </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association)</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLsOopJGgyeh7lPt5ZsEu6aTjHbkGQy0YUUnBvQpF_KsWFZImtsCnbes3MtY06bfqh66ur9wvIk7ITCymvF712vGDkeBWKjo4e8NJntv5SOWmYaQihu_J_UvTGTAf9i_aj-iEbd_-B5s/s1600/scrlaim.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLsOopJGgyeh7lPt5ZsEu6aTjHbkGQy0YUUnBvQpF_KsWFZImtsCnbes3MtY06bfqh66ur9wvIk7ITCymvF712vGDkeBWKjo4e8NJntv5SOWmYaQihu_J_UvTGTAf9i_aj-iEbd_-B5s/s200/scrlaim.jpeg" width="166" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i></b> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com