Hotel Operations

💬 In 2026, hospitality businesses are shifting to dedicated work chat apps like Zenzap, designed for mobile, with security features and admin control. Research shows 83% of former employees retained access to accounts post-departure. Zenzap simplifies onboarding with bulk options, reduces burnout by limiting notifications to work hours, and offers secure cloud storage. It's best for multi-location hospitality groups, unlike Slack, Microsoft Teams, and others that lack tailored features for fast-paced hospitality environments.

📹 Hosted by Adam Mogelonsky, the Brand Insiders video series on Hospitality Net features an insightful interview with Jersey Banks and Lyon Porter, founders of Urban Cowboy. The episode, approximately one hour long, explores themes such as nostalgia, community, and creating hotels that feel like home. Watch the full video on Hospitality Net or visit Hotel Mogel's website for more details.

🏨 Hotels can boost revenue by focusing on guest retention. Retaining existing guests is 5-25 times cheaper than acquiring new ones, with a 60-70% booking probability. A 5% retention increase can boost guest lifetime value by 25-95%, adding $1.5M–$3.2M in revenue for a hotel with 50,000 guests and a $230 ADR. Cendyn, serving over 35,000 customers in 150+ countries, offers strategies for post-stay engagement and loyalty-building.

📈 Repeat hotel guests are crucial for profitability, with acquisition costs being 5 to 25 times higher than retention costs. Existing guests have a 60-70% booking probability, versus 5-20% for new ones. A 5% retention boost can increase guest lifetime value by 25-95%. For a hotel with 50,000 guests and a $230 ADR, a 5% repeat stay increase could add $1.5M–$3.2M in annual revenue. Cendyn supports over 35,000 customers in 150+ countries, generating $20 billion annually.

🏖️ In the US, a resort with 10 units features one standout cabin priced at $1,000+ per night, two units at $400-$750, and seven units at $150-$300 with 50% occupancy. The standout unit attracts guests, driving revenue and discoverability. Success hinges on unique, high-revenue accommodations rather than numerous average units. Prioritize revenue targets over unit count to avoid market saturation and competition. Opt for unique builds offering unparalleled experiences.

🍴 In 2025, CBRE research found Food & Beverage (F&B) revenue grew by 3.8% per occupied room, surpassing total hotel revenue growth. Indigo Road Hospitality Group, led by Steve Palmer, generates 40-70% of total hotel revenue through F&B. Palmer emphasizes guest experience over mere revenue strategy, focusing on hospitality and cultural integration. The company prioritizes emotional intelligence in staffing and uses guest data to enhance experiences, aiming for long-term sustainable concepts rather than following trends.

💬 By 2025, Discovery Parks, part of G’day Group, transitioned guest feedback from post-stay reviews to a mid-stay operational system across its 330 properties. This approach allows real-time issue resolution and highlights operational issues such as light pollution affecting sleep quality. Feedback informs investments and design improvements, supporting quick decision-making and better guest experiences. G’day Group, founded in 2004, has property assets worth $2 billion and aims to grow to $2.5 billion by 2026.

🍳 Four tips for tapping into the opportunity of a lifetime in the food industry are shared in a recent article. Experts highlight the significance of creating a unique brand identity and harnessing social media's power to engage customers. The focus is on building community connections by showcasing local ingredients and telling compelling stories. Lastly, maintaining consistent quality and innovation is crucial for long-term success.

📚 In 2026, hotels worldwide are upgrading operations with Property Management Systems (PMS), a digital hub for handling reservations, check-in, check-out, room assignments, housekeeping, billing, and reporting. This technology replaces manual front-desk processes and integrates guest data, room availability, and revenue management. The shift to PMS enhances efficiency, guest experience, and data management, streamlining operations from a single platform, as noted in RateGain's 2026 guide.

📖 In the hospitality sector, mentorship has evolved with digital tools and cross-department exposure. Marriott uses a "buddy system" for onboarding, while Hilton's digital platform supports mentor-mentee relationships across properties. Reverse mentoring highlights skills from younger staff. Four Seasons promotes cross-departmental rotations, and Accor's program emphasizes inclusive hospitality. Mentorship now includes structured onboarding, digital engagement, and focuses on soft skills, diversity, and clear goal-setting to prepare employees for leadership roles.