Though historically associated with residential and low-rise commercial buildings, modular construction has gone more upscale in recent years. What are the benefits, and what should hotel developers consider before going modular? The term "modular construction" once conjured images of small construction trailers or antiquated mobile home clusters just off the highway-not the most alluring draw for high-end developers and top-tier hotel companies, nor for their gentrified clientele. Today, however, the concept of modular construction has evolved, with developers across the U.S. adopting a modular approach to building 2- to 4-star select-service, full-service, and even boutique hotels. READ MORE

Whether a guest is staying at your hotel for business or pleasure, their first impression can be a lasting one. Even before they walk into your hotel's lobby, they've already started to form their opinion of your hotel - whether that was based on a visit to your website or as they drove up to your hotel. Just as the messaging on your website helps to set expectations and provides your guests with a glimpse into your commitment to making their stay at your hotel an enjoyable one, so does the appearance of your landscape. Every touch point the guest has with your hotel impacts his or her customer experience, making it even more critical that those encounters reflect your brand. READ MORE

This article highlights the benefits and available options of third party outsourcing for hotels. Hotels have historically outsource services to restaurant operators, parking and audio visual professionals, with resorts often outsourcing recreational services and landscaping as well. Today's options for outsourcing are much broader, as new firms have developed business models to provide expertise with greater efficiency at lower costs. Have you considered outsourcing your entire housekeeping operation? How about stewarding, overnight cleaning, or laundry operations? Other options could be banquet services, night cleaning, HVAC Services or Accounting Services. READ MORE

Hotel executives are starting to catch on to digital technology as they strive for better customer experiences across the board. With powerhouses like Hilton and Marriott leading the charge, competitive hotel brands are raising the standard for guest experiences in the digital age. A recent study by Hospitality Technology found 57 percent of hotels plan to spend more on technology across the board in 2017 than they did in 2016. And while improving customer engagement and enhancing payment and data security stood out as the top priorities for many hospitality industry decision-makers, it appears far fewer are considering a critical investment: Enterprise Asset Management (EAM). READ MORE

Over the years, luxury has been defined by everything from fancy objects and shiny finishes to exceptional service and authentic experiences. Today's definition of luxury encompasses a new element, eco-consciousness. Whether a property is Platinum LEED certified and positions itself as “green” or simply promotes responsible practices, an element of eco-tourism is now the expectation at upscale hotels and resorts around the world. Leisure travel contributed $7.58 trillion last year to the global economy. Furthermore, the number of travelers who are aware of sustainable travel issues and the willingness of said travelers to spend on environmentally-sustainable travel have increased by a third in the last decade. READ MORE