Have you ever found yourself asking the question, “How did that (poor service, long wait, missing items, wrong room, discourteous service - fill in your own guest complaint) happen?” Maybe you've discovered a scathing 1-star TripAdvisor review that you know will impact occupancy. At that moment you might be asking, “Who's accountable? What happened here? How do I fix this?” READ MORE

The hotel industry is constantly searching for the perfect formula to provide guests with addictive experiences, and, as such, music-themed hotels are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in big cities. This article focuses on these kinds of upbeat boutique hotels, from the Beatles-themed Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool, to the rock-themed Backstage Hotel in central Amsterdam, to Hotel BPM, a music-themed hotel in New York City. The keys to success for these hotels? Authenticity, superior customer service, and staying true to the music theme. READ MORE

Mobile technology transformed our lives in a way we never imagined a decade ago. According to comScore, compared to 2010, mobile usage has grown +394% and eMarketer predicts that smartphone users will exceed 2 billion in 2016. If you think these numbers are unrealistic, just look around, you probably will see someone using a smartphone. Mobile has become the starting point for most everyday activities, from texting to checking your office mail or online shopping. Chances are that some of these mobile shoppers may be looking for your business, and if you aren't there, you are missing the party. READ MORE

Marketing and advertising is no longer about publishing as many print adverts as possible, or nurturing those relationships with travel agents and OTAs, it's about engaging with customers and guests through the channels that are important to them. Converting that unknown guest into a trusted brand advocate and thereby retaining that business through them, their followers, friends and family is the only way for hoteliers to stand out in this crowded market. So how is this done? Understanding the strategy and knowing what guests want is key but also coming to grips with the concept of spending your marketing budget in the right place will determine which way you go. READ MORE

The subject of this article is the most common complaint I've been hearing for the last few months, from hoteliers who are unhappy about their number one supplier: the OTA (Online Travel Agency). As an enterprise platform developer to the hospitality industry, we are in the privileged position of hearing the most up-to-date requirements of hotels and their guests from a technology and guest facing point of view. We are also amongst the first to hear their complaints and issues and this includes the current dominance of the hotel booking market by the OTAs such as Priceline and Expedia. READ MORE