Sustainability is more than a buzz word; it is one of the most important issues currently facing our world. For hotels, it's doubly important because of its significant impact on the business' reputation and bottom line. This is why savvy hoteliers have turned their focus on making improvements to conserve energy and water. Sadly, towel & linen reuse programs have become so ubiquitous in hospitality that it has lost its meaning –or worse, it has gained a bad rap among clients don't understand them, see them as a marketing ploy or aren't informed enough about its underlying environmental cause. Do these programs really make a difference? Can they be done better? READ MORE

The most effective decisions regarding sustainability in a building facility are made in the early design and pre-construction stages. Traditional Computer Aided Design (CAD) planning environments, do not support the possibility of such early decisions. Energy and performance analysis are typically conducted, if at all, after the architectural design and construction documents have been produced. This lack of integration into the design process leads to an inefficient process of retroactively modifying the design to achieve a set of performance criteria. In order to assess building performance in the early design and pre-construction phases realistically, access to a comprehensive set of information regarding a building's form, materials, context, and technical systems is required. READ MORE

Hotels that set ambitious sustainability goals must address unique infrastructure, operations, and purchasing challenges, often without a road map. Those that succeed find the effort is worthwhile, enjoying water, energy and cost savings, increases in corporate bookings, and higher staff morale. But to get there, staff report the need for technical training, access to local networks, and support systems for solving problems. Where to begin? In an interview with eco-certifier Green Seal, the Fairmont Chicago's Colleen Sweitzer offers a firsthand account from a property that has reaped significant business benefits from its sustainability achievements. READ MORE

Hoteliers tasked with addressing risk management for both day-to-day operations of the hotel and for on-site restaurants have plenty to consider. Risk management for restaurants and bars is complex in its own right. For these businesses located on a hotel's premises, the risks are only amplified. Heidi Strommen, President of ProHost USA, a division of Distinguished Programs, examines the typical risks found in bars and restaurants, steps that can be taken to mitigate these risks and who is responsible for claims when an on-site restaurant and bar is a tenant of a hotel, rather than part of the hotel entity. READ MORE

The hotel lobby has served the same basic purposes for hundreds of years: sustenance, socializing, and doing business. What has changed over time is the way we do all three. With recent technology strides, today's hotel lobby is transforming, and perhaps not in the way you might think. Travelers are forgoing the grand formality of the former heart of the hotel in exchange for something that feels like home. As we look back through time, we can see how innovation has shaped the evolution of the hotel lobby. Better yet, we can start to think about how it will continue to morph into the future. READ MORE