Is Your Hotel's Web Site the Ultimate Distribution Machine?

1. I've chosen the Martinez Hotel (Cannes) website for an example of having an excellent content. Indeed, I've noticed that on the website, instead of puting words like "rooms", "restaurant", "spa", "conferences", etc, there are other words that are catching the customer's attention such as "metamorphosis", "sensuality", "temptation", "serenity", etc, and that's what is getting the customer to click on more pages. Even for "reservations", the word replacing it is "freedom". Moreover, the music is really nice and matches well with the ambiance that the website gives.

2. For good use of visual images, I've chosen the Atlantis Resort (the Bahamas) website. There is more pictures than text but it doesn't bother because they are incredible! Sometimes, you don't need words to describe what you see...it's just the way it is...

3. And I've have chosen the Sentosa Resort & Spa (Singapore) website for a good example of interactive reservation. You can have the necessary information if you want to book by email, telephone and fax. And you can also make an online reservation. I find it very clear for customers and they don't get confused.

Wired Hotelier

IMAP Enterprises Inc. provides the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino with a State-Of-The-Art, 3D Interactive Hotel and Conference Facility Floor Plan & Mapping Solution

I think what the State-Of-The-Art Application IMAP has done for the MGM Grand is at the advantage of the hotel: now they are able to promote conference facilities, hotel services and casino areas. It is very interactive and creative as it provides direct information and serves as a unique sales tool. I find this application of online mapping very interesting and powerful when targeting potential customers. Furthermore, it permits customers not be lost in all the information as the MGM Grand is the largest casino and the largest hotel in the world.

Basic components of a hotel Website

The Hotel Saint James & Albany is an independant 4 star hotel in Paris. I find its website well done: on the home page you can choose among 3 different languages, you can easily find what you are looking for, there is realtime online reservation, you can see special packages they offer... This hotel is full of history and therefore its guestrooms, banquet rooms and restaurant represent well this traditional French luxury style. However, there is a lot of pictures and if you don't have a high speed internet connection, it may take some time to download the pages.

Begawan Giri Estate is a luxury resort in Bali, Indonesia. I find this hotel resort unique. When entering the website, do NOT skip the intro!! Pictures and sounds are amazing! It just represents this peaceful indonesian atmopshere using the natural elements. Still, it is very modern with an European style. You also have online reservation. I find it very attractive.

Shompole is composed of unique camps and lodges in Western Kenya. I find this website really simple and fascinating. However, there isn't any realtime online reservation and the option to check availability is not yet available. But here, everything is about culture and its conservation, ecotourism and a unique experience. Do not put the volume on your speakers too loud!!!

Wired Hotelier

Business Travellers Plug In, Bed Down In High-tech Hotels

This article is all about new technology and how nowadays it is strongly anchored in guests every day life; it seems like having high technology everywhere, in each corner of the room is a MUST!! I think that on the one hand it is true and we cannot deny it: guests expect to have in their guestroom wireless high speed internet, DVD players, flat-screen TVs, magnetic keys, etc, and this trend has increased with mainly business people as new technology has in a way "facilitated" their job. But on the other hand, one can wonder if it isn't too much?! It is certainly not for business travellers, but for the others...because I think that still a lot of people do not know how to use all these facilities. Sometimes it is just too much and hotels don't know where to stop. Hotels are not work offices, they are "establishments that provide lodging and usually meals and other services for travellers and other paying guests".

However, I truly agree that high technology is our future.

Wired Hotelier

Educational Institute: Updated Lodging Security Officer Program Incorporates ASIS Guidelines

I think that this article is interesting and very important because security in hospitality is one of the major issues a hotel faces in its every day life. First, I believe that it is essential to regularly follow-up and update a security program. In this case, training is crucial in order to ensure guests' privacy and safety which has been made in the program. Another point I have noted in the article is the fact that the training program teaches basic techniques and tips to officers in order to provide effective property security while maintaining the property's guest service standards which I think is important both for the hotel and guests.

Comparative chart: Livebookings & Open Table

I. Livebookings
1. Benefits for customers:
- Access to restaurants' realtime table availability information
- Confirm restaurant reservations 24h/7
2. Benefits for restauranteurs:
- No up-front costs
- realtime internet booking
- Receive internet reservations directly into the system
- reservation & customer management
- Centralized system
- Greater control
3. Costs: £20 per month
4. 2 restaurant websites that have integrated realtime reservations bookings
- www.fireandstone.com
- www.mangotree.org.uk

II. Open Table
1. Benefits for customers:
- Employees can recognize each customer
- Guests can feel as VIPs, service increased
- Online booking
2. Benefits for restauranteurs:
- With comprehensive customer database, manage yields more efficiently
- communication with diners more efficient
- Enhance customer service, boost revenue
- realtime internet booking
- Save time with automated reservations
- Attract repeat business with email marketing
3. Cost: a need of 12 seats restaurants to recover cost
4. 2 restaurant websites that have integrated realtime reservations bookings:
- www.alexandersteakhouse.com
- www.fleurdelyssf.com

Wired Hotelier

iHomes takes home "Best of show" award [...]

I've chosen this article because it's a "continuation" of one of my previous articles 'Hotels dumb down alarm clocks for weary guests' in which they were introducing a new alarm clock that can be hooked-up to your own MP3 or CD player.

In this article, they have introduced a new alarm clock radio called iHomes that can play your iPod's songs and on which you can set-up the alarm with your own songs too. It is interesting because nowadays, more and more people have iPods and travel with it, so they created iHomes mainly to serve these customers. MP3 and iPods are somehow different (from their brand for example); before you could only hook your MP3 or CD player, now you can hook your iPod AND your MP3 of any other brand into the iHomes. Because why one should be more developed than another?

This facility increases guest satisfaction and guest loyalty, both for MP3 and iPods owners.