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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.

Smartphones and the Hospitality Industry

October 12, 2012

smartphones and hospitality

The New York Times estimated that by 2016, over one billion people will own a smartphone. It seems that every few months a sleeker, better phone is released – while older models get less expensive and more accessible. We are no doubt experiencing the beginning of a smartphone boom – and what does that mean for the future of the hotel and hospitality industry?

From researching, booking and reviewing hotels – smartphones play a vital role. Today’s on-the-go lifestyle means that your hotel’s website, Facebook account and competitive prices will be accessed via smartphone more than ever before. When a guest arrives at your property, a large percentage of them will “check-in” via Foursquare, Facebook or another social site – making your page then visible to all of their friends and followers.  Hotels seeking a competitive edge definitely need to ensure their online channels and search engine marketing are in top shape.

The number of mobile bookings in the travel space has accelerated from $20 million in 2008 to over $200 million in 2010 – and that number continues to grow. Whether for business trips, last-minute vacations or when people just quite can’t get to a computer at the minute, mobile booking is a convenient solution. And evidence suggests that even investing in a mobile booking app may be worth it. Some hotels are even using smartphone apps internally to help with food and beverage operations, and even as a room keys. 

Reputation management is a new buzzword in the marketing world. Google reviews and other rating services offer the convenience of rating a room and hotel experience on the guests’ plane or car ride home while it’s still fresh in their mind. Just the simple technology of being able to take a photo of your special anniversary hotel room, a neat display in the lobby, or another unique aspect of your hotel and instantly text it to your friend is word-of-mouth marketing at its finest.

As we continue to see how technology enhances the hospitality industry, we encourage you to stay on top of trends. And for that extra boost – we suggest browsing our in-room smartphone products to really impress your tech-savvy guests!

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.

Go Green For Comfort

August 14, 2012

Hospitality Insights publication Ernst & Young published in 2008 that “organizations, corporations and consumers are increasingly focusing on the need to exist in harmony with their surroundings and reduce their environmental footprints. The hospitality industry is no exception, and finally, the concept of sustainability has begun to gain momentum in this sector.”

The report was spot-on.  Going green has certainly become a standard in the hospitality industry and something guests are almost expecting to see during their stay. From energy saving appliances to cleaning supplies and bedding – there are so many ways to boost your sustainability efforts.

It’s a trend that is only growing stronger and if your hotel is falling behind, it’s time to start making changes. The American Hotel Register Living Green program is offering up to 40% off on 1888 Mills Green Threads linen and terry through December 2012. These linens offer a pure, plush, organic comfort with the assurance of 100% organic cotton that is grown free of pesticides and processed in a factory free of any harmful substances in production of the product, making it Oeko-Tex certified. This product is also top quality with long-lasting exceptional softness and anti-pill bed superiority over traditional linens.

Not only will your guests appreciate that you are showing respect for the environment, they will also notice a difference in their comfort level. The Habitat Suites in Austin, TX has seen evidence of guests experiencing better sleep in their hotel than in hotels that use pesticides and toxic cleaning chemicals.

Check out this extensive database of other hotels that are increasing sustainability on the EcoGreenHotel website. If you could use some additional tips on Living Green, check out our wide selection of products or contact one of our representatives for energy saving ideas and tips.

Going green not only appeals to guests, it can help save you money. It’s a complete win-win situation!

When Conferences Require Privacy

July 25, 2012

Let’s say you’ve just booked a quarterly Town Hall Meeting for one of the largest corporations in town. They ask you what measures your hotel has in place to ensure the privacy of the event.  What do you say?

Hopefully your customer service representative is able to respond that you offer code or key card access to the meeting hall and possibly even options to hire security guards. Depending on the company, this could make or break a deal.  After all, you should realistically assess how easy it would be for someone to walk inside your hotel and enter the meeting room without passing any sort of security.

American Hotel Register offers a variety of lock pads to ensure you are able to book conferences that require privacy safeguards. From typical electronic key card access, to a code system that is given out to attendees prior to the meeting, American Hotel has you covered!

You’d be surprised how many organizations would be glad to find out that you have measures in place to keep their proprietary information secure. And these measures are not just for companies – what about conferences or events that require a purchased ticket for entry?  Putting a simple code on the invitation would ensure that guests could come and go as they please without hassle of a check-in table. It’s a simple and cost-effective solution to ensure your events go as smoothly as possible.

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

Surging Summer Travel

May 25, 2012

Let the summer vacations begin! School is coming to a close, families will be planning visits and business travel will pick up. It seems that the hospitality industry is one that continues to gain strength – and 2012 is no exception.

Smith Travel Research (STR) is predicting a rise in hotel occupancy during June, July and August by nearly 2% and the revenue per available room to increase 5.7% to over $73!

Many industry leaders were concerned that the rise in gas prices could cause a decline in travel and hotel occupancy. But if gas prices don’t deter travelers, many will likely be looking for ways to offset the gas costs. This means they will be taking advantage of in-room cooking appliances and complimentary breakfasts. They may choose a relaxing day by the pool rather than spending the entire day out on the town.

It’s time to prepare for your summer influx – we’re here to help!

Safeguard Bedding and Eliminate Bedbugs

November 22, 2011

Prevention is the keybedbugs

Bedbug infestation is on the rise and though treatment costs can run into the thousands, the reputation of your hotel is on the line. If you’ve already experienced bedbug infestations, you know how expensive it is to eradicate them.

Fully encasing mattresses and box springs is the best, most cost effective method to prevent bedbug infestation. bedbug preventionCertified bedbug encasements protect your guests and they protect your investment.

Regularly treat mattresses and frames with bedbug killer. Concentrate on the tufts, folds, and edges of the mattress where bedbugs hide. And don’t forget to spray baseboards, molding, and floorboards—all favorite hiding places.

Already have a problem?

Save your bedding! Encasements are a cost-effective solution when used on already compromised mattresses and box springs because they trap bedbugs and prevent migration to other areas.

Need to dispose of a mattress or box spring?

Use American Hotel Registry brand disposal bags to prevent the spread of bedbugs and keep your property safe and clean during the disposal process.

Shop Nowbedbugs

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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