Hotel Operations

📈 Still using spreadsheets or outdated hotel software? 🏨 Discover 10 signs it's time to upgrade your property management system (PMS) for faster operations, fewer errors, and improved guest reviews. The article, written by Vanshikha Dhar for the Hotelogix blog, highlights these red flags to help hotels enhance their management software. Published on May 16, 2025, the piece aims to guide hoteliers in identifying inefficiencies and drive better hospitality service outcomes.

💻 With tech advancements and evolving consumer behavior, hotel distribution channel management is crucial for optimizing inventory visibility and bookings. A hotel channel manager connects Property Management Systems (PMS) with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and Global Distribution Systems (GDS), synchronizing data in real-time. It prevents overbookings and provides analytics for data-driven decisions. Key criteria for choosing a channel manager include ease of use and system compatibility. Efficient management boosts revenue and occupancy rates.

📚 Dr. Carmen Vlasceanu, in May 2025, discusses in her book, *Dare to C.A.R.E.*, the importance of human connection in luxury hospitality. Highlighting the *C.A.R.E.* philosophy—Connection, Authenticity, Re-engineering, and Evolution—she emphasizes how a proactive and empathetic approach enhances guest experiences. *Global Hospitality & Maritime Leaders* provide courses to master these skills. Prioritizing employee well-being and resilience, she argues, ensures sustainable success and lasting guest satisfaction.

☕ Hoteliers are enhancing guest experiences by broadening beverage offerings. In the U.S., 66% of people drank coffee yesterday, says the National Coffee Association, making coffee a critical offering. Vitamin-infused water and iced coffee are popular with younger guests. Labor-saving machines can automate services, with self-cleaning features reducing staff workload. Quality suppliers offer 24/7 maintenance and sustainability solutions. Bean-to-cup machines provide superior coffee, with 79% recognizing quality differences, as noted by Mintel research.

📷 Philippe, a Glion graduate, began his career at St. Regis Hotel in New York before working for Four Seasons and Salomon Brothers. He transitioned from hotels to wedding photography in 2000, creating one of California's top agencies. By 2025, he starred in a Netflix series and pursued acting and modeling. Philippe also launched a design firm and patented a fitness machine. At 61, he continues to embrace new challenges, emphasizing adaptability, health, and following one's passion.

🏨 Hotels must focus on timeless fundamentals to endure: safe shelter, clean and restful environments, and reliable experiences. Security remains paramount; comfort and cleanliness are non-negotiable; convenience and reliability are crucial. Innovation lies in execution, offering opportunities for differentiation across luxury, mid-range, and budget sectors. Understanding guests and personalizing these essentials ensure loyalty and success. Mastering these basics builds a resilient foundation, beyond fleeting trends.

💸 Hotels are reconsidering cancellation policies. Adopting flexible rates instead of non-refundable ones could increase revenue, despite statistically higher cancellations. Non-refundable rates need discounts, impacting profits. In high seasons, longer cancellation windows with strict penalties allow room reselling, minimizing revenue loss. Shorter windows during low seasons boost market share. Flexible policies enhance hotel visibility, driving bookings. Balancing cancellations and bookings is crucial, as flexible rates ultimately generate more revenue.

📦 Hoteliers struggle with time-consuming review responses; AI offers a solution. Responding to one review daily takes 30 hours yearly, reduced by over 50% with AI, cutting response time from 5 to 2 minutes. GuestRevu AI, tailored to hospitality, ensures consistent, professional replies without copy-pasting. It integrates review content and brand tone, offering secure GDPR-compliant data handling. Unlike ChatGPT, GuestRevu AI provides streamlined, context-aware responses, enhancing guest engagement and brand consistency.