Monthly Archives

September 2012

Hotel Event Planning

September 27, 2012

The Ryder Cup is only hours away! While you may be just now gearing up for the big event, chances are that hotels in the Medinah, IL, area have been planning for months.

Planning for a large event within the community takes a proactive approach. There are so many details to consider, but the real challenge is staying up to date on everything going on in the city and getting the inside scoop. Our biggest piece of advice is to begin attending Chamber of Commerce meetings and networking with decision-makers. For events like the Ryder Cup, discussions of sponsors and other details will take place and present opportunities for your hotel to be at the forefront.

Incentives such as offering a discount with ticket purchases and offering group discounts or lower rates on a particular weekend can really put you ahead of the game. Invest in advertising on the ticket or event website and get those fans in your doors.

Think of details that your guests will need during their stay. Coordinate taxis and shuttles to be on-hand before, during and after the event. Perhaps the hotel coffee shop needs to open earlier than usual, or the dining room should stay open late to accommodate the event hours. Have a concierge on hand to assist with questions about the venue, other things to do in the city, and restaurant recommendations. Inform your staff of any events guests will be involved with to engage in conversation. On the big day, placing a banner or signage may help get guests ready and excited for the event and remember to show support for the event they are passionate about.

Proper planning and preparedness will ensure that your hotel excels during busy events and special activities. Taking advantage of these opportunities and delivering excellence is sure to keep you on top.

Top of Bed Options

September 20, 2012

top of bed options

The bed is one of the first things guests look at when entering a room. It has the potential to set the tone for their entire stay and tie the whole room together. And if your bed is stylish, comfortable and clean, it is sure to bring repeat business.

When was the last time your hotel updated its bedding? Do you use accents and pillows for a polished look? If you have to think about it too long, then it’s time to take a look at our Registry ® Triple Sheeting options.

Forget the bedspread and bed scarf. Triple sheeting is a simple technique many hotels use to save time and money. Traditional bedspreads can cost between $100-$250 per piece, and duvet covers cause housekeeping staff to spend up to three times longer making each bed. With triple sheeting, the bed scarf is printed directly onto the top sheet, creating a great looking, easy to care for bed.

By replacing a bedspread or duvet cover with one additional sheet, the triple sheeting technique can reduce overall operational costs. And triple-sheeting components can be laundered after each guest to ensure a sanitary environment. It’s the perfect technique to ensure cleanliness, style and efficiency.

American Hotel also offers multiple options for pillow shams, top sheets and accent pillows for that final polished, top-of-bed look and comfort. Available in multiple colors for every season and décor style, our bedding products guarantee plush, luxurious comfort and top quality.

Glancing at photos of the Best Hotel Beds, many of them are simple, elegant and use accents to bring the entire room together. Please browse our selection or consult one of our staff to achieve the exact look you’re hoping for.

Celebrate International Housekeeping Week

September 12, 2012

housekeeping week

If you’ve never been directly involved with hotel housekeeping staff, it may seem unnecessary to dedicate an entire week to thanking them. However, let us assure you that housekeeping is one of the most vital departments in all hotels. Not only do housekeepers make guests feel comfortable in a clean, organized room, they also perform extensive amounts of behind-the-scenes jobs such as flipping mattresses, doing hundreds of pounds of laundry per day, and dealing with harsh chemicals.

According to the Les Roches School of Hospitality Management, the hotel industry is expected to grow 4 percent per year through 2019. That’s over a 24 percent growth from right now! Competition and the number of housekeeping departments will expand as well, making the need to create and keep a quality housekeeping staff a top priority for hotels.

A typical housekeeper cleans up to 16 rooms per day at an estimated 20-30 minutes per room. And opening the door to each new room is a complete surprise – there’s no telling what shape guests have left it in. That’s over six hours of squatting, bending, kneeling, lifting, etc. The job requires training, dedication and loyalty – and your entire hotel’s reputation can lie with one staff member.

Through proper morale, education and training, fair pay and a little bit of understanding, hotel management can ensure they get the most from their housekeeping department. Rotate jobs that do not have to be performed every day accordingly, assign help when needed for heavy-duty jobs and provide quality supplies. Spend the few extra dollars to get lighter vacuum cleaners, greener chemicals, and easy-push housekeeping carts. Have monthly luncheons and recognize superior staff members. But most importantly – do not treat the staff as insignificant. They are the foundation of your business, ensuring that guests are satisfied, and are an imperative part of keeping rooms in lasting, tip-top shape.

So, how will YOU celebrate International Housekeeping Week this September 9-15?