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Hotel Impossible Season 2 Starts December 3rd

November 21, 2012

hotel impossible season 2 starts on december 3rd

Get Ready For Round 2!

Grab some popcorn and get ready for some down-and-dirty hotel renovating action! Season two of Hotel Impossible kicks off Monday, December 3 on the Travel Channel. American Hotel has been working closely with Anthony Melchiorri and the Hotel Impossible crew, and we can assure you that this season will be packed full of surprises, more great products and success stories.

For those of you who aren’t already acquainted with Anthony Melchiorri, the 20-year hospitality expert has a reputation for understanding a company’s vision and bringing it to light. His direct, sometimes blunt, approach is a fan-favorite and gets the job done. From structural damage, to dated design, to just plain dirty, he seamlessly picks the right products, design themes and management changes for each different hotel’s situation.

The American Hotel team is honored to be a part of this amazing series and excited to see the success from last season carry on into the living rooms of hospitality fans around the country. Be sure to tune in to this season to see what American Hotel products Anthony will choose to bring struggling hotels to the next level!

Want to purchase product seen on the show? Click here.

 

Prepare Your Property For The Winter Months

October 22, 2012

The onset of fall means it’s time to prepare for the change in seasons! From getting rooms up to par and ready for cool weather to planning for holiday décor and events, the winter months bring ample opportunity to impress guests with getting the subtle details right.

Something as simple as providing pumpkin spice coffee or peppermint hot cocoa in the lobby can be a warm welcome to guests coming in from the cold. Depending on the holiday, tasteful décor can also really put guests in the festive spirit. Use fall gords and squashes, neutral colors and dried autumn flowers in the weeks leading up to Halloween and Thanksgiving. Crisp pine scents, poinsettias, and simple accents of gold and silver can be used during December. It’s important to stay tasteful and subtle with décor – remember that less is often more.

When it comes to guest rooms, comfort is key. Make sure you have satisfactory heating devices, bedding and comforters.Providing plush robes and slippers for your guests can really be a pleasant surprise. Have any windows that aren’t directly accessible? Cover them with plastic coating. Extra insulation can go a long way towards saving on heating bills, and can help keep guest rooms warm and cozy.

We’re sure you’re already feeling the crisp air, so get started now. Browse our website to see how you can ensure a warm, welcoming, and festive holiday vacation for your guests this year.

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.

Meeting the new crib standards

June 20, 2012

Are you ready for December 28, 2012? No, we’re not talking about that apocalypse mumbo jumbo! We’re talking about the new U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards for crib safety.

With drop-side cribs causing numerous infant deaths throughout the past decade, the CPSC made a unanimous vote in 2012 to issue new guidelines. It’s an important issue, and now is the time to start planning for this change. As of December 28, all wood and steel cribs not compliant to CPSC standards must be replaced. After this date, it is illegal for any place of public accommodation to offer cribs (both fixed-side or drop-side) that are not compliant to the new guidelines.

If you currently offer cribs manufactured prior to December 2010, these are most likely non-compliant with the new standards and must be removed from use and replaced with certified cribs.

Check the CPSC website for a list of recalls and a “crib test” to see if you need to upgrade. If so, American Hotel is here to help. We have a wide selection of cribs and infant accessories to make every family feel safe and comfortable.

Check out our selection of cribs here

Conference and Banquet Room Best Practices

March 21, 2012

Now is the time to start preparing for the spring conference season – from trade shows to corporate events, and even private parties. As the warmer months approach, inquiries will begin to pour in. American Hotel Register is here to ensure you have all of the tools to make it a stress-free, organized and successful season.

 

Getting Leads

A key to building leads for hotel conferences is an updated website outlining the options that are available for the conference. For example, this Hyatt Hotel website lists all of their rooms and features, as well as a link to visualize the different floor plan setups. Offering a variety of options, such as classroom style, U-shape, and round tables, can ensure you will meet the needs of a variety of clientele. Photos on your website from past events can also showcase your expertise.

 

Maximizing Space

If you use meeting planning software when planning an event, it will often calculate the space needed by the number of chairs. However, if there is a large panel of speakers who will be standing, or if it’s a short event, you may have more liberty with the furniture and space. Also, try investing in chairs of a smaller width or tables to fit your room dimensions. For example, if your room is longer than wide, invest in long tables to maximize your width.

 

Upgrading Equipment

Depending on the type of event or conference, there are certain items that will be requested by prospective customers, such as presentation boards, stages, podiums and projection equipment. Table skirts always add a touch of style to trade show events as well. Top quality and easily accessible accessories and accommodations will also allow for a successful event.

 

Using these techniques and referring to the American Hotel Register website for ideas and cost-effective products can help impress your guests, meet their needs, and keep them coming back.

Don’t Throw Out Those Old Televisions!

January 17, 2012

television recyclingAs many hotels, extended stay properties, and other hospitality venues strive to meet the growing demands of travelers by furnishing rooms with flat-panel televisions, the disposal of old televisions is posing a great risk to the environment.

Many of the components inside a television are toxic, including mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and other harmful substances. In a landfill, these toxins seep into the ground and eventually into the water supply. While one or two televisions may not cause irreparable harm, discarding dozens or possibly even hundreds at a time could make a severe impact. Multiply that number by the total number of hotels that are making the switch and you can imagine the effects that may take place.

John Shegerian, CEO of Electronic Recyclers, Inc., estimates that there are currently 268 million televisions in the United States. 80 million of those will be thrown away in the next two years.

If you are ready to toss away those old televisions, what are your options? First, for non-functioning televisions, many communities have drop-off locations for electronic waste, also known as e-waste. Watch for announcements from local government offices. Another reliable source for finding drop-off sites is ElectronicRecyclers.com, which includes a search engine for drop-off locations and agencies that might take used televisions.

Even though the digital broadcast signal changed in February 2009, older functioning televisions can still be useful. To generate some additional cashflow for your property, try reselling them on websites like eBay, Craigslist, or LiquidationConnect.

Schools, after-school programs, shelters, and nonprofit organizations may be interested in your TVs. Other avenues for donating include Freecycle.org, a website that allows users to donate or locate unwanted equipment. The Computer Recycling Center in California is a third-party company that will take donations, make any needed repairs, and find new homes for televisions.

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Save Green By Going Green

December 26, 2011

save money by going greenYou’ve probably seen more than one article on how to save money while making your property greener. In today’s tough economic climate, these ideas are more relevant than ever. Here are a few:

  1. Convert lighting to compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs ). There are an average of five bulbs used in each guest room alone. Have you reviewed your lighting needs lately to ensure you are maximizing CFL usage and reducing energy costs? According to Energy Star, qualified bulbs like CFLs use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
  2. Install ceiling fans to circulate the air. This allows you to raise the temperature on your air conditioning.
  3. Reset thermostats. You may be surprised to find out that you can increase or decrease the settings a few degrees without anyone noticing. Also, do you have the thermostat set the same 24 hours a day? Is there a reason for that?
  4. Adjust temperature limiters on PTACS to save energy and money.
  5. Install low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads to limit water flow. Most guests won’t notice this, but making the switch will reduce overall water usage.
  6. Keep your money from going down the drain! Make sure toilets are working properly. Install new flappers or fill valves. Some systems can save up to 3,000 gallons a year!
  7. Display linen re-usage signage. Placing reminders in guest rooms asking guests if they need their linens washed every day is a simple, but effective way to reduce laundering costs.
  8. Don’t just use Energy Star-qualified lightbulbs, switch to Energy Star appliances as well for significant energy savings over the life of the product.
  9. Use microfiber products for cleaning. They clean effectively with fewer chemicals and can remove up to 98% of surface bacteria.
  10. Switch to concentrated forms of sustainable cleaning products versus ready-to-use. This saves money since you aren’t paying higher shipping costs for the increased volume of product, and it reduces your carbon footprint too.

 

If you’re already putting some of these “green” money-saving ideas into practice, I applaud you! If not, please consider incorporating as many of them as you can into your daily, weekly, or monthly maintenance schedules. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to include them, and the savings can really add up.

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Join the HD Revolution

December 11, 2011

Advantages of High-Definitionjvc

  • Digital Signal Reception. As of June 2009, the FCC has shut down the analog signal for television broadcast. Outdated televisions that don’t receivelg digital broadcast signals need to be replaced. We suggest 26″ and 32″ LCD HD televisions to replace 27″ and 32″ CRTs.
  • Energy-Efficiency. Most HD displays consume less power than traditional CRT televisions.
  • Picture Quality. HD displays are known for superbphilips picture quality, vivid colors, and bold contrast.
  • Lightweight Versatility. Incredibly thin and light, LCD and plasma televisions can mount on the wall or be placed on furniture tops.sansui

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Keeping Crowds Under Control

November 13, 2011

crowd control postsA crowd control barrier is nothing more than a device for controlling traffic. Portable crowd control posts function as visual barriers and guidance systems. They are easy to configure, reconfigure, relocate, and store away when not needed. Posts should have wide, heavyweight bases for stability. However, like other portable objects, posts can topple over if used improperly.

Portable posts with ropes or retractable belts are not intended to bekeeping crowds under control pulled, pushed, leaned on, or sat upon. Most people understand this safety issue, but very young children, for example, may not. If not properly supervised, they may play with a rope, belt, or post, causing it to topple over and perhaps cause accidental injury.

If your property hosts many guests with very young children who may not be properly supervised, you may wish to choose an alternative guidance system.

Some alternatives include:crowd control posts

  1. Horizontal Tubes, Beams, and Panels: Unlike posts, these cannot be pulled over with direct downward pressure.
  2. Removable Posts: These slide into sockets that are permanently mounted in the floor. They can be easily removed and stored as situations demand. They are most appropriate for areas with established traffic patterns.
  3. Fixed Posts and Railings: Permanently affixed to the floor, these cannot be moved. They are also best used in areas with established traffic patterns.

 

Note that both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Uniform Federal Accessibilities Standards (UFAS) regulations (ADA/UFAS 4.4.1) regarding “protruding objects” require the use of compliant stanchions or railings, in which the lowest tape, rope, or rail must not exceed a height of 27″ from the floor when measured 12″ or more away from the vertical post surface. This is to ensure that visually impaired people who employ a cane or guide animal can detect the protruding object without a collision.

Source: Lawrence Metal Products, Inc.

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The Dirt on Entrance Mats

October 24, 2011

hotel entrance mattingOver three-quarters of the dust, dirt, and contaminants in a building come through the door on people’s feet, damaging carpets, floors, and adding to the cost of maintenance. It’s been estimated that one square yard of carpet can accumulate a pound or more of dirt in just a week. In most buildings, the cost of maintaining the floors is the single largest cost of cleaning. Removing a single pound of dirt from a building can cost more than $600! An effective matting program not only helps protect the occupants of a building but also protects your bottom line.

The key issue with mats is their performance life. A high-performance mat made with a permanent bi-level construction can have a performance life of many years. Mats without a rubber-reinforced permanent bi-level construction have a 90- to 180-day performance life. To function effectively, low performance mats need to be replaced more frequently, increasing cost and causing disposal issues.

A key criteria in the LEED® program (a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings and a registered trademark of the US Green Building Council) is the control of contaminants entering a building. LEED credits may be achieved by specifying and using the proper matting systems inside and outside of all entryways. It is also important to use proper matting between adjoining areas in a property.

Four Things An Entrance Mat Should Do:

  1. Stop Soil and Water at the Door. Surprisingly, not all mats are designed to do this. Look for mats that provide a combination of scraping and wiping to stop the maximum amount of contaminants.
  2. Store Soil and Water for Removal. Look for mats that are designed for maximum storage of soil and water and their easy removal when the mat is cleaned.
  3. Minimize Tracking of Soil and Water. Mats with a permanent rubber reinforced, bi-level construction provide an upper surface for walking and a lower area to store soil and water for later removal.
  4. Provide a Safe Surface. Slip-resistant mats minimize movement on the floor under traffic. Look for mats with a “water dam” border that contains moisture below the traffic level to help prevent slip and fall incidents. Rubber-backed mats provide better slip resistance than low performance, vinyl-backed mats.

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Source: The Andersen Company