Hotel Operations

🏝 Inspired by classical Japanese Noh theatre, Kengo Kuma and Associates designed the Banyan Tree hotel in Kyoto, featuring a Noh stage within its gardens. Located in the historic district of Higashiyama, the hotel overlooks temples and shrines, incorporating the aesthetic principle of yūgen, a quiet beauty central to Noh. The hotel covers a 12-meter height difference on the sloped site and offers 52 guest rooms with traditional Japanese design elements modernized for contemporary tastes. The design emphasizes wood and stone, with the Noh stage set on stilts above a reflecting pool, integrating with the natural landscape.

🍴 The Hand & Flowers, the UK's only pub with two Michelin stars, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025. It's commemorating with a 'Classics' Menu in January, featuring iconic dishes from its 2005 opening. The menu, changing yearly, includes three courses for £95.00. Key staff, like Lourdes Dooley, have been part of the team for 18 years; others, like Katie Gavin, for 16 years. Celebrations will continue throughout 2025 with various events and surprises.

🏨 In the hospitality industry, extraordinary customer service is a sustainable competitive advantage that fosters loyalty. Key strategies include situational empathy, gold-touch service (do-extra and tell-extra), anticipatory service, effective language use, and service recovery. Training can be delivered through live sessions or eLearning, tailored to the company's needs. Micah Solomon, a customer service expert, emphasizes custom training aligning with brand philosophy for guest loyalty.

```html 🛏 ``` Employing strategic measures to address hotel theft can vastly improve prevention efforts and operational efficiency. Advanced tools and thorough training are pivotal in combating pilferage within hotel establishments.

🏨 STAAH's Weekly Hotel Industry Quiz challenges hospitality professionals to stay current with trends. The quiz is a recurring event, designed for both seasoned hoteliers and newcomers. Participants can catch up on previous quizzes and are encouraged to share with colleagues. STAAH fosters ongoing education through these weekly knowledge tests.

📚 Valencia Hotel Group established a book club to develop leadership skills among hotel staff post-COVID. The initiative, initially for general managers and corporate directors, now welcomes all company employees, with high participation from those aiming to improve leadership abilities. The book club enhances company engagement and team connection. Trent Freeman, VP of Operations, shares his top 10 leadership books, including titles by Horst Schulze, James C. Hunter, and Robin Sharma.

🚿 Housekeeping is crucial in hotels for guest satisfaction, especially post-pandemic, as noted by Prateek Kumar of Copford Capital Management. Hospitality leaders, including Kumar, Island Hospitality CEO Gregg Forde, Hospitality of America CEO Ben Campbell, and The Scottsdale Resort & Spa's Brian Hanus, discussed staff retention and training. They emphasized the importance of a supportive culture, effective onboarding, and training programs. Techniques for retention include ergonomic tools, balanced workloads, internal development programs like Pathways, and opportunities for cross-training. Leaders stress the importance of respect and inclusivity in fostering a positive work environment.

🏨 The article emphasizes the importance of small details in a hotel room that contribute to guest satisfaction, beyond the basics like cleanliness and comfort. These include functional curtains, powerful hairdryers, clear air conditioning instructions, complimentary water and coffee, modern charging sockets, smart TVs, slippers, ample storage space, local welcome treats, cosmetic extras, and personalized touches such as notes and tailored in-room fridge contents. The focus is on providing convenience and showing thoughtfulness to make guests feel valued, thus encouraging repeat visits.

🏨 Hospitality entrepreneurs starting ventures in 2025 face challenges like rising costs, staff shortages, and high consumer expectations for unique services. Successful hotel business planning requires comprehensive market research, selecting strategic locations near transport and attractions, and tailoring strategies to regional trends and regulatory requirements. Customers now seek personalized amenities, eco-friendly practices, and local experiences. Collaborating with experienced lenders and focusing on operational details, such as cost management and staff training, can help businesses stand out and achieve long-term success. Story contributed by Alasdair Swan from The Cumberland, a U.K. financial advisor for the hospitality industry.