Hotel Operations

🏨 Virtuoso's Hotelier of the Year 2025, Claudio Meli, General Manager of The Place Firenze, emphasizes how true luxury starts upon arrival. He introduces the concept of "sartorial hospitality" to craft unforgettable experiences. Hospitality leaders are encouraged to rethink the guest journey comprehensively. 🎵 Music by Clay Bassford from Bespoke Sound supports this episode. If you find the episode valuable, share it with your team to implement these insights.

🏨 Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple, discusses her strategy for the first 30 days of leading a new hotel. She emphasizes using the local environment as part of the guest experience by integrating cultural elements, parks, and businesses. Engaging hotel associates for creative solutions and forming community partnerships can enhance guest satisfaction and positively impact the local area.

📚 In July 2025, Tampa, Florida, McKibbon Hospitality and USF’s School of Hospitality and Sport Management launched their third class of an interactive learning program. Four students will participate over two semesters, shadowing leaders across McKibbon's Tampa hotels and corporate office. Since 2021, numerous USF students have trained in McKibbon's 95+ hotels, including brands like Marriott and Hilton. This partnership aims to equip students with essential hospitality industry skills.

🏨 D-EDGE CRM aids hotel groups and independent properties by centralizing guest data to enhance personalized experiences. Residhotel leverages this tool to modernize operations and maintain high-quality services throughout its portfolio, thereby boosting direct revenue.

🛌 Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple, discusses team empowerment with Danica Smith in a podcast episode. Staypineapple eliminates SOPs and scripts, centralizes administrative tasks, and utilizes intuitive technology to enhance team focus on guests. The company prioritizes authenticity over uniforms and rigid rules to help staff thrive. Listen to gain insights into fostering a supportive work environment that benefits both employees and customers. 🎧

🚀 In the hospitality industry, tasks are dynamic and complex. Room 103 needs a baby cot, assigned to housekeeping immediately. For Room 103’s Mrs. Smith, a coordinated task requires housekeeping and F&B to provide a baby cot and milk now. Notifications are limited to the relevant floor team, adapting daily. Roles vary by time: from 10 PM to 7 AM, the night supervisor is responsible; from 7:01 AM to 9:59 PM, it’s F&B. Tasks are seamlessly managed using Hopr.

🏨 Independent hotels are outperforming OTAs by mastering direct bookings. They achieve this by enhancing their websites with a frictionless booking process, offering best rate guarantees, and showcasing unique identities. Hotels leverage exclusive direct-booking perks, curate unique packages, and build loyalty programs for added value. Mastering digital marketing drives traffic, while in-stay and post-stay strategies turn OTA bookings into direct relationships, boosting profitability and guest loyalty. RevOptimum helps hotels implement these strategies for better revenue management.

💵 September 2025: eTip celebrated a milestone in San Francisco, California, with a $14,000 digital tip during Housekeeping Week. The tipping volume surged 10 times compared to 2024, showcasing the shift towards digital tipping. Hotel managers in Florida, San Diego, and Georgia praised eTip for its seamless integration, ease of use, and as a recruitment tool, enhancing service staff motivation and payroll processing in cash-free environments.

💸 Hospitality operators face procurement challenges due to supply disruptions, cost fluctuations, and labor shortages. Consolidating procurement nationally offers benefits such as savings, standardization, and real-time spending insights. Strong supplier relationships and regular data reviews enhance agility and decision-making. Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) provide diverse supplier networks, better negotiating power, and real-time updates, helping businesses adapt swiftly. This strategic approach ensures consistency and stability, safeguarding against market volatility. Sponsored by Foodbuy Hospitality.