It's so often said that we are what we eat, but additionally, we are where we live. Homes, offices and all matter of public spaces influence our moods and the conversations we have as well as motivate us to think differently about the world.
In the booming hospitality industry around the world, there can be no letting up, and there can be no day off if you are to surpass the competition and offer a superior service to your guests that make them want to come back and bring their friends along. Running a hotel is a 24/7 venture, yet sometimes certain challenges will present themselves that need to be addressed promptly rather than ignored if the business is to continue its steady climb to success.
The hotel Casa Bonay, which opened in Barcelona, 2016, was founded by Inés Miró-Sans. But, in reality, the hotel is a collaboration between designers, artists, chefs, coffee roasters, architects, and more. It was on returning to her native Barcelona, after three years working for Ace Hotels in New York, that Miró-Sans assembled this group of creatives. The result is much more than a hotel. It is a restaurant, a cafe and a bar. It is an art gallery, a shop and a bookstore. At its core, it is a social hub, designed to bring people together.
With the kids gone, it was time to follow the footsteps of many other boomers and downsize to a condominium. What started as a mere paint job, however, morphed into a $150-per-square-foot renovation of the entire apartment comprising appliances, lighting, flooring, soft goods, mirrors, kitchen and plumbing fixtures. What we ended up having on our hands was a genuine case of 'scope creep' – something not uncommon in any property refurbishment.
If you really want to make your hotels stand out you need to invest in a few cost-efficient renovations because let's face it, your reputation depends on following trends and doing better than your competition. Here are top renovation ideas that will make your guest have a memorable experience staying at your hotel and that will help increase your revenue.
In the hotel industry, first impressions really count, and making your entrance attractive and inviting will surely grab your guests' interest. Hotel entrances are the first defining point for your guests' experience. In just a few seconds, they will soak in the atmosphere and decide whether they like it or not. The goal is to create a high impact entrance that will give your customers a hint of what they can expect once they enter the establishment.
The hospitality industry is booming all around the world, as global travel is becoming increasingly popular due to the rising economy and living standards. With the competition on the rise, new hotels are popping up on every corner, each doing its best to surpass the quality and design of its peers.
When it comes to businesses, there aren't many that rely as heavily on first impressions as hotels do. The Wow Effect that your hotel can have on a first-time guest is something that can last a while and can certainly play a huge role when the said guest is deciding whether to return to your hotel or not. The biggest part of the first impression in the hotel business is in the exterior of a hotel, as that's the first thing that your guests are going to see when they arrive. Improving your exterior with various outdoor elements can mean a lot when it comes to the level of your hotel design, which is why this article will focus on how to do it.
How far are hotel investors willing to go in order to bring out the best in their properties? In 2013, the El Encanto in Santa Barbara re-opened after a top-to-bottom renovation that took seven years and AUD $170 million to complete. The following year, Loews Regency Hotel in Manhattan opened after a $127 million refresh. And just last year, in 2017, Le Lutetia in Paris welcomed guests after a $174 million renovation of its own.
Have you noticed all the new brands in the supermarket lately? Words like natural, non-GMO and farm-to-table abound. It almost looks like the old guard has been replaced by modern and ethical food producers.
When looking to escape an everyday hassle, people seek for destinations that will somewhat shelter them from the ever-present stress they are exposed to. And at times, it is not so much about the adventure that awaits them at a new location, nor the luxury of the hotel room itself; it's the view from the balcony which allows them to enjoy the moments of serenity. How do you create such an unspoiled atmosphere?
Once upon a time, conformity reigned supreme when it came to hotel design. Every single guest room exactly looked the same, save for a few luxury suites that had more space. And, if the hotel was part of a chain, this look carried from location to location, too.
The millennial's idea that they have everything they need and nothing they don't (lyrics from Homegrown by the Zac Brown Band) has caught on among travelers of this generation, and they have embraced lifestyle-focused options within established hotel brands like Marriott's Moxy wholeheartedly. Is this a just a passing trend, though, or is it a shift in philosophy that's here to stay? To determine the answer, I believe we need to look at who makes up the bulk of the travel market, and why they travel.
The design, functionality, and efficiency of your kitchen can make or break your hotel venture. Therefore, you need to design and equip your kitchen department for maximum productivity, quality, and savings in terms of finance and resources.
In the last couple of decades, hotel lobbies have become a centrepiece of guests' experience. In a matter of seconds, the guests soak in the atmosphere and make up their minds whether they like it or not. Therefore, making a fantastic first impression really counts.
As an independent hotel, you're no doubt competing with large hotel chains for your slice of the market. If you're looking at ways to grow it can be tempting to emulate the style of chains in a bid to attract the customers that are heading there. But it could be a costly mistake as consumer attitudes shift to unique experiences and authentic places to stay. In fact, putting your own personal stamp on the look of your hotel could boost reservations.
The two main features of boutique hotels are luxury and individuality. These are achieved through style, practicality and attention to detail. The style needs to tell the story of the hotel or its owner, and make it one of a kind. Everyone designing a boutique hotel should take the following six advices into account.
The most exciting thing about being a hospitality reporter is meeting interesting people with fascinating stories. Hospitality pros are formed in all walks of life. A former professor becomes a night clerk, a movie star becomes a partner in a large luxury hotel chain, and a civil engineer decides to build a hotel. The latest caught my attention on Crete, because, as Alexandros Kapetanakis told me, he decided to design and build a hotel to offer tourists and travelers the "opportunity to visit and enjoy this blessed land, while benefiting from extraordinary services and comfort in a space envisioned to meet their most stringent demands."
For over 100 years, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal has been more than just a hotel; it has been a bastion of the city's 'Great Gatsby' society. Through its doors, royalty and those of privilege have passed countless times. The hotel has hosted the finest social functions and weddings including the impromptu nuptials (only two hours' notice) of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. If these walls could talk, I am sure that they would speak volumes.
The success of Citizen M, Mama Shelter or Ace Hotel has been watched by the entire industry. As hoteliers around the world are raising their game, we ask ourselves: Who will set the new benchmark? We picked the hotel brands that, we believe, have the potential to become the next hits. Discover Zoku.