Every hotelier is familiar with the "furniture, fixtures and equipment" process but not every hotelier approaches it the same way. Some people are more structured in handling FF&E while others are more casual. Regardless of your approach, remember that FF&E is one of the largest categories of expenses, behind only the real estate your hotel sits on and the "bricks and mortar" used to build it. Unfortunately, when certain aspects of design and purchasing get overlooked, both your budget and your property suffer. READ MORE

Many hoteliers are busy tweaking their properties with such basics as better beds, better check-in/check-out procedures, and better staff service. So now is certainly a good time to upgrade another important facet of the hotel experience - public space. The irony is that while lobbies, hallways, and elevators are among the areas most "seen" by hotel guests, their design impact and importance is too often overlooked by hotel owners. But if you give the following public space ideas your attention, you'll get the attention - and repeat business - of your guests. The following includes some of the most affective methods in 'wowing' your hotel gusests... READ MORE

Vacationers used to travel to get away from home, but now they want to feel at home while on the road. And because people have more amenities in their homes - plus are exposed to more ideas in media such as television, magazines, and movies - they expect more when they check into a hotel. Hoteliers, with the help of their FF&E supplier, must be creative and willing to experiment with space allocation, interior design, and basic architecture. Here are some ways you can give your resort property the right warmth, without sacrificing any cool. READ MORE

Our industry is experiencing one of the strongest travel markets in recent years, so many new properties are being built and many existing ones are being renovated. But great hotel rooms don't just happen - they have to be carefully created with meticulous attention to the four stages of FF&E, namely, design, purchasing, transportation, and installation. Exactly what are today's "hot" trends for "cool" rooms? Here are three "do's" and three "don'ts" that are helping many properties sizzle without burning up their FF&E budgets - and these tips can easily be implemented by you. READ MORE

Thousands of properties are undergoing refurbishment every year, so owners are challenged to minimize the impact to operations - and to guests. Renovation is the lifeblood of the hotel business - properties must stay fresh in order to attract today's sophisticated and demanding travelers. Lose appeal and you lose guests - lose guests and you lose revenues. In fact, today's slowed economy provides the ideal opportunity to undertake renovation projects at a time that occupancy may be slightly lower. Projects launched now will result in less lost revenue nights and will position your hotel for the travel upturn. READ MORE