Hotel Operations

🏖️ 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.

🏨 Youth hospitality careers are gaining focus with initiatives like Horwood House's Young Women Leaders course in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire, drawing over 20 attendees. Emphasizing skills like communication and leadership, the sector aims to change perceptions with structured training, education partnerships, and leadership initiatives. Cairn Hotel Group offers a Hospitality Talent Associate programme combining practical experience and formal learning to build future leaders, challenging the notion of hospitality as merely temporary employment.

📅 Pyramid Global Hospitality announced that, starting today, it will manage Naples Bay Resort & Marina in Naples, Florida. This includes overseeing 85 guestrooms and suites, a 97-slip marina, 31,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and nearly 15,000 sq. ft. of event space. The property also boasts a private club with pools, a spa, and a fitness center. Pyramid's CEO highlighted the unique identity and operational expertise as key to the resort's success.

🏨 Mews Unfold, Amsterdam. Halima Aziz of Zedwell Hotels highlighted that gateway cities like London, Paris, and New York inherently possess culture, diminishing the need for hotels to create it. The author realized when visiting London, the focus is on essentials—quality beds, strong water pressure, fast Wi-Fi—not hotel events. Emphasizing taste, hiring, and ambiance over scheduled programs can enhance guest satisfaction and local appeal. This perspective is explored in a new column for A Hotel Life.

🏨 London Marriott hotels now offer day use rooms without overnight stays, catering to hybrid workers, commuters, and daytime visitors seeking a quiet space. Available at London Marriott Hotel County Hall, Maida Vale, and Regent’s Park, these rooms provide guest access, desk space, Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. This initiative aims to optimize occupancy, generating additional revenue by tapping into new guest segments, as explained by Anne Legrand, area general manager for Central London Hotels.

📄 In Austin, decisions on guest bookings are crucial for long-term success. Almost weekly, bookings are declined to ensure quality stays, saving the hosts from potential damages and negative reviews. This strategy prevents blocking dates for better bookings and avoids costly repairs. The focus isn't just on high occupancy rates but on maintaining a balance that supports mortgage coverage and peace of mind, prioritizing guest intentions over mere numbers.