Why has guest experience accelerated in importance over the past several years? Some say it's the build out of local markets where location and price have reached their zenith. Oversaturation is the death knell for many an operation. But there are still others that realize a focus on guest service and the guest experience has the potential to negate many of the affects of competition, location and price. In fact, many are finding that they can significantly increase revenue by focusing on guest service. READ MORE

Success in hotel operations means reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies while enhancing guest satisfaction. The most visible benefit of deploying a document management solution is an immediate reduction in manual processes and volumes of paper. Companies that choose to deploy a document management solution gain a rapid return on investment. The costs savings are easy to see: dramatic decreases in the time and labor required to search for and retrieve documents, increases in work capacity and productivity and reduced physical space demands for filing paper copies of documents in offices and off-site warehouses. READ MORE

Historically, the hospitality industry hasn't exactly been the leading hotbed of technology. Earlier this millennium, the best you'd usually find was billing and room reservation systems linked using the room TV as a display. And guest services tended to be centralized with terminals at reception and in restaurants. Now, IT is everywhere. In-room mini-bars are connected to IP networks that add purchases to the bill 30 seconds after a cold beverage is lifted from the fridge. The flat screen TV offers streaming music services with soothing screensaver photos. Even the room key has become part of a technology link that allows guests to buy food in restaurants and access voice mail and wireless Internet portals. And a new generation of gadget-minded and gear-toting business and leisure guests are forcing hotel operators to continuously -- and at warp speeds -- adopt new information and entertainment technology systems. READ MORE

Most resorts, hotels and spas have peak and off seasons. Some resorts in particular find their off seasons especially trying for many reasons including profitability, staffing and basic fiscal sustainability. No matter what position you find your facility in all is not lost. In fact, the down season can actually be transformed into a period of opportunity for growth, market renewal and baseline improvement. Not only can you enhance your market mix you can rethink your overall strategy for the year as well as grow your business as a whole. READ MORE

Running a spa in a hotel is a must these days as well as a hectic matter. The phone is ringing; the clients are streaming in at a steady pace. There are sheets to change and implements to be sanitized. What's more? The spa in your facility is no longer a fluffy amenity. Your spa is real business that affects if guests return. Your spa is expected to generate revenue, retain clients and top off what is expected to be a delightful excursion during each guest's stay. Is your spa profitable? If you can't measure it you will never manage it. Dive in to uncover the inner workings of your spa from facial room to retail and discover opportunities that you may not know your spa offers in terms of hidden potential. READ MORE