Deception - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
Over the phone, a tour leader explained that one of his group wanted a doctor to look at her hand. She had fallen.
Opinion Articles
Overdressed for Summer - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
In summer, wearing a suit and tie, I'm reminded of how much I resent hotels that refuse to let me park free. I only learned that the Casa Del Mar didn't when the clerk declined to validate, and I was stuck for $20. But the Casa Del Mar is on the beach where it's cool enough to walk a few blocks without suffering.
Gushing Blood - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
A man at a Beverly Hills hotel had struck his head on the edge of a table. Blood was gushing, and he wanted a doctor.
Still Another Free Service - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
A national housecall service informed me that a caller in Huntington Beach was having a panic attack. He had had them before, and he needed a doctor to come and make sure he wasn't dying.
Taking No Chances - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
A guest at the Westin wanted a doctor. I quoted the fee, always a tense moment. "Do you take insurance?" If the caller is American, the visit is doomed, but he wasn't. I asked the insurance carrier's name.
Past, Present And Future Of Hospitality In The US
The decade began in 2010 with President Barack Obama signing into law a new health care bill. In 2016, Donald Trump was elected as president in one of the greatest upsets in political history. Today, consumer confidence continues to drive economic growth in 2020 based on a very strong labor and stock market, despite marginal business confidence.
Bedbug Calls - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
"All insect bites look the same," I explained. Bedbug calls are tricky. Patients blame the hotel, so they are reluctant to pay the doctor. Confronted by an angry guest, hotels ask my help and often offer to pay my fee.
Tourism Tidbits: The Rebirth of Tourism Security Conferences
This article is an update of one published in honor of the Twenty-fifth anniversary of the Las Vegas International Tourism Security and Safety Conference. The 27th conference will be “reborn” on April 26-30, 2020 and it is hoped that the “mother conference” will spawn new interest in the importance of tourism security and safety around the world.
By Peter Tarlow, President, Tourism and More
Departing From Your Routine - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
Twenty years ago I drove thirty-five miles to Pasadena to see a patient. When I opened the trunk to get my bag, it wasn't there. I had left it at home. I drove back to retrieve it.
Not the Right Way To Do It - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
"My son has a boil on his leg. Our doctor says he might need an antibiotic. Could you come to the hotel?" A boil is collection dead tissue, full of pus and germs. It has no blood supply, so an antibiotic can’t reach it. Antibiotics don’t cure boils.
Do You Accept My Insurance? - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
More than "I'm having chest pain" or "my mother stopped breathing" the most stressful phrase a hotel doctor hears is "Do You Accept My Insurance?"
Lost in Translation, Part 3 - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
"I am constipated," said a guest with a thick French accent. "Constipation' means different things to different people," I said. "What exactly bothers you?" Silence…. When a caller doesn't answer, it usually means he doesn't understand.
I Just Need a Shot - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
A woman under treatment for infertility needed a progesterone shot every month. She had the vial. Could I send a nurse?
I Encounter a Rare Disease - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
A man suffered a headache on his flight. After arriving at the hotel, he felt severe pain in his left ear. When he opened the door, I noticed that the left side of his face drooped.
The Crab Tasted Funny… - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
"No one but my wife had crab cakes in the hotel restaurant last night, and about 4 a.m……" A miserable problem for the guest's wife but also a difficulty for me. The caller had no doubt that his wife was suffering food poisoning although no one can make that diagnosis unless more than one person gets sick. In developed countries, viral infections cause most upset stomachs.
Striking The Delicate Balance Between Hospitality And Security
First impressions have always meant a lot in the hospitality business. The door staff's brisk attentiveness, the concierge's cheerful professionalism, and the warm attention of check-in staff all contribute to a quality guest experience.
By Harry Kazakian, President/CEO of Los Angeles-based USA Express Legal and Investigative Services, USA Express Legal and Investigative Services
Free Services - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
A few years ago, Quantas abruptly cancelled flights after an engine exploded. Other airlines followed.
Crushing My Hopes - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
I didn't recognize the number on caller ID, and when I heard "This is Adele from L'Hermitage" I nearly dropped the phone.
2019 U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide
The HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide provides a comparative review of various hotel franchises based on their applicable franchise fees. The selection of an appropriate franchise affiliation affects a property's ability to compete in its local market, generate profits, and achieve a distinguished image and market orientation. Because the success of a hotel is based primarily on the cash flow generated, owners and lenders must weigh the benefits of a brand affiliation against the total cost of such a commitment.
By Kasia Russell and Bomie Kim
A Dangerous Occupation - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
As I entered the room, half a dozen family members stood and bowed. When Japanese bow, it means no one speaks English, so I phoned the Japanese travel insurance agency.