9 Nov 2014

Hilton introduces smartphone features

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Hilton is offering a new service to their guests that allows them to pick their own room and floor plan from their mobile device. The guests will also be able to customize their stay by requesting certain amenities for their room. The day prior to check-in, the guest will log in with their mobile device and pick their room and added features. Guests will also be able to check in and out of the hotel remotely from their smart phone. Added features to come in the future include the ability to unlock their room with their smartphone.

This sounds like an interesting innovation. I particularly like being able to choose the room and floor plan. Let's hope that the app also includes the ability to know what the view is, so you don't get a view of a wall.

Now you have no excuses for not exercising in a hotel

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

You are on the road in a hotel, have eaten too much, and are feeling sluggish - so, you really "should" exercise. But, there is either no exercise room in the hotel (or it is closed), or, if there is an exercise room in the hotel, it is either too busy, doesn't have the right equipment or, let's face it, you really don't want to get dressed up enough to go to the exercise room.

7 Feb 2015

2014: the year that more and more hotels heard our plea for free WiFi

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

If you pay $200 per night for a 3-4 star hotel, the last thing you want is to pay $30 per day for Wi-Fi - especially when 2 star hotels usually don't charge for Wi-Fi. But - Virgin hotels has listened to you - and provides Wi-Fi free. Hopefully, other hotels, such as the Marriott, will pay attention and stop charging for Wi-Fi.

29 Jan 2015

What are your hotel pet peeves?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

If you go through hotel reveiws (such as Trip Advisor), you will find that there are several common issues people have, such as: charging for Wi-Fi, minibars that charge too much, and lousy TV channel lineups. What are your hotel pet peeves?

11 Dec 2014

Why don't more hotels have "convenience stores"?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Basically, as the company Airbnb expands to new cities around the world, the share economy is really taking their toll on regular hotels. Executives have figured a way around this with lend and lease programs all around the country with critical ads like “Forgot it?

2 Dec 2014

Checking into a hotel? Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

The attached article is interesting, as it implies that the assignment of hotel rooms has less to do with computer assignments, and more to do with the "rooms controller". For, it is the rooms controller's job to review all of the variables, such as price charged, loyalty status, special needs and requests, VIP status, group bookings, etc., and to assign the rooms 3-5 days in advance, with the intention of balancing guest satisfaction with profit.