Careers In Hotels, Pubs And Restaurants

Are you somebody who has constantly got a smile on their face? Are you bubbly, fun and have an affable nature? Can you handle late nights and working hard? If the answer to these questions is yes then maybe a career in the hospitality industry is worth some consideration. Although often overlooked as a long term career option the trade could not be more rewarding. It provides the scope for close customer relations, professionalism and is mostly enjoyable, although handling stress is a major component of the business.

When looking for jobs in the trade a few factors are worth contemplating. Unfortunately the lower echelons of the business are not well paid. Being a waitress or part of the bar staff is often extremely hard work. Stressful at times, coping with waves of customers who all want service immediately is something you will have to cope with. Before you shy away however, dealing with these customers through speedy and efficient service can be the most rewarding element of the job, getting through a service period successfully having laboriously served all of the patrons leaves you with a feeling of exhilaration, the adrenaline rush is outstanding.

Being busy however is not the only element of working in the trade. When times are slow it is possible to get to know your customers. For me this was the most enjoyable part of the job, chatting to regulars about their lives and past experiences truly gave the job an interesting element. This is where for those in the lower pay band can achieve greater bonuses; by providing exemplary service and showing real care for your customers, tips and free drinks will come flying your way. This brings the next element of the hospitality trade, for those working in hotels and bars, late nights are often par for the course.

Working until two in the morning can be tiring but also gives a sense of satisfaction as you pour the last drinks of the night, kick out the final customers, clean up and perch yourself at the bar with your colleagues and savour the drink that is in front of you. Unfortunately with a whole bar at your disposal it is often easy to carry on drinking after closing time until the early morning. For those who wish to enter management in any sector, managing a public house, hotel or restaurant can be valuable experience. It tests almost all of the capabilities you will need to be a successful manager. Whether you need to drive a team through a stressful service session, deal with complaints from irate patrons or check and order weekly stocks.

Managing in the hospitality trade gives attributes of people and time management, deal breaking and logistics. Managing in this sector creates a well rounded candidate who often has good experience in many fields; it can be a good proving ground when beginning a management career. Jobs in this industry also include those in hotels, jobs here are usually extremely demanding due to people's requests when in a home away from home, this pushes personal skills to the limit.

Often hard to keep your cool a necessity is to remain polite and courteous at all times. The sake of your hotel depends upon reputation so how customers are treated is vital to the success of your business. Whether considering a career in this business or not, remember at times the enjoyment is immense, if surrounded by a good team even the busy times are fun. In this trade it is vital to keep the customers needs in the primacy, this is paramount to successful trading in the industry. To make it in the trade an easy going outlook to life and a good working ethic are prerequisite, without these it is impossible to succeed.

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Posted in: career in hotel,course,hotel management,pub management,pubs,restaurant management,restaurants

Fields of operation offered by Hospitality Management

The qualifications represent a flexible and broad-based professional training course that is not only highly regarded by the international hospitality industry but also by other types of business. Therefore, programme graduates are welcome worldwide in all sectors that are primarily concerned with services and service management.

Companies recruiting our students:

Hilton
NH Hotels
Sheraton
Center Parks
Disney World
Marriott
Hyatt
Holiday Inn
Hospitality Marketing Partners
HRC International

Graduates with a qualification in Hospitality Management enjoy access to an almost limitless number of careers in the hospitality industry. A degree obtained from Stenden South Africa is unique in that it prepares students for positions in international hotels, small hotel chains, restaurants, conference and convention centres. Furthermore, graduates are welcome in the service industry at large covering positions in conservation, game lodge management and eco-tourism. Some of the typical positions in the hospitality industry are discussed below.

Game Lodge Manager
Food and Beverage Manager
Rooms Division Manager
Catering Manager
Convention Centre Manager
Banqueting Manager
Sales Manager
Career options

Game Lodge Manager
This is perhaps one of the most challenging positions in the hospitality industry. The manager's duties include human resources, budgeting, accounting and finance, food and beverage, front office, reservations and housekeeping. Further challenges are the requirement of managing a fleet of game vehicles, hosting parties of guests for up to 18 hours a day, planning of game drives, managing the game rangers, monitoring of fences and implementing the anti-poaching programmes.

Food and Beverage Manager
They work in large hotels, leisure centres, or wildlife game reserves, supervising the daily operations of the different departments where food and drinks are produced and served to the guests. They manage the staff of the food and beverage department. They are responsible for the planning, organising, co-ordinating, and control of the department in addition to maintaining a good relationship with suppliers of the food and drink menu.

Rooms Division Manager
They work in a large hotel or convention centre. Their main responsibility is to manage the services offered to guests by the personnel at the front office, reservations, and housekeeping.

Catering Manager
Their main task is to manage the day-to-day production and service of food and beverages. This may be in a company restaurant, factory, theme park, care-centres or other businesses. Management would include human resource planning, budgeting, accounting & finance, and supply procurement.

Convention Centre Manager
They are responsible for the daily operations and management in a convention centre that has as its main function the organisation of meetings and conventions for large corporations. This job entails all aspects of the planning, organising, co-ordinating, and control, for a successful conference, convention, or meeting.

Banqueting Manager
They are employed in a large hotel supervising the execution of all functions where food & drink are consumed. Such functions may be, a part of a convention, conference, or meeting. A substantial part of this job is to manage the staff responsible for the setting-up of the function rooms and serving food and drinks to the guests.

Sales Manager
They are responsible for the sale of the service products of the hotel. This person would usually meet with wholesale tour operators, travel agents, or corporations wishing to buy meeting or conference space in the hotel.

Accountants And Auditors
They study financial records in order to give advice on money matters or prepare financial statements. They may prepare income tax forms or advise clients on certain business or financial decisions. They may examine clients financial records to see if they are properly kept and reported. They may develop estate plans, accounting systems, or budgets, and may advise on systems for recording financial data. Some teach courses in a business or professional school, do consulting work, or serve on committees of professional organizations.

Administrative Services Managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate supportive services of an organization, such as record keeping, mail distribution, telephone operator/receptionist, and other office support services. They may oversee facilities planning and maintenance and custodial operations.

Advertising And Promotions Managers
They plan and direct advertising policies and programs or produce promotional materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or give-aways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, or an entire organization.

Computer And Information Systems Managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Computer Hardware Engineers
They research, design, develop, and test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. They may supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components

Database Administrators
They coordinate changes to computer databases, test and implement the database, using their knowledge of database management systems. They may plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

Employment, Recruitment And Placement Specialists
They recruit and place workers. They include Employment Interviewers, who interview job applicants in public or private employment offices and refer them to prospective employers, initiate contacts with employers, and maintain records. Personnel Recruiters seek out, interview and screen job applicants, usually within an organization.

Financial Analysts
They conduct statistical analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions and private individuals. They interpret economic data, gather information, and make recommendations about investment timing.

Financial Managers
They plan, direct, and coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an organization.

Human Resources Managers
They plan, direct, and coordinate human resource management activities of an organization. They are usually responsible for employee compensation, recruitment, personnel policies and regulations. They may offer training programs.

Management Analysts
They analyze business operations to find ways to help management operate more efficiently and effectively. They conduct studies, design new work systems and procedures, look for ways to simplify work, and prepare procedures manuals. For example, they might plan a new system for filing and protecting records and reports. They might sketch the layout for new office machines, or develop ways to improve business reports. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

Market Research Analysts
They research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to determine potential sales of a product or service. They may gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution; may use survey results to create a marketing campaign based on regional preferences and buying habits.

Marketing Managers
They determine the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors and identify potential customers. They may develop pricing strategies to maximize the firm’s profits or market share, while ensuring customer satisfaction. They may oversee product development or monitor trends that

Public Relations Managers
They plan and direct public relations programs to create and maintain a favorable public image for employer or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan and direct activities to solicit funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Public Relations Specialists
They engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations. They write or select favorable publicity material and release it through various communications media. They may prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

Sales Engineers
They sell business goods or services that require a technical background. They may sell either mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical, or related products. They call on engineers, architects, or other professionals to explain and demonstrate products and services. They review blueprints, plans, and other customer documents and estimates the costs of providing products or services. They advise and/or provide technical support to clients on the use, operation, and upkeep of equipment. They also draw up sales contracts and may provide technical training to clients.

Securities, Commodities, And Financial Sales Agents
They buy and sell securities (stocks and bonds) for customers. They provide to business financial counseling services, such as loan, tax and securities counseling.

Travel Agents
They plan trips for travel agency customers. Duties include determining destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, accommodations required, and planning, describing, or selling itinerary package tours. They may specialize in foreign or domestic service, individual or group travel, specific geographical area, airplane charters, or package tours.

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Posted in: Banqueting manager,catering manager,convention centre manager,food and beverage,game lodge manager,sales manager,travel agents

Beverage Trends of Yesterday… Today… & Tomorrow!!!

All those old fashioned Whisky with soda, Rum & cola days are now taking back seat due to monotony in style and making of these drinks don’t you think so… Cocktails being served in same age old glassware with non edible fancy garnishes may become history in the coming years. Isn’t it so…

Now it’s a time for cocktail shots, test tube cocktails, etc. Finally some fascinating and exciting job for beverage manufacturers and beverage trend setters. Markets worldwide are being shaped by the “health & wellness” megatrend. This includes the beverage sector, where growing consumer demands for health-promoting products have had a major impact on manufacturers’ product line policy.

Innovations that are successful today meet the following requirements:


More consumption - Low Calorie

For an increasing number of consumers, healthy nutrition is a major concern. The calorie content of foods and beverages is therefore of particular focus. Daily menus should not only be balanced, but as "light" as possible. The food industry is faced with the challenge of developing products that taste like they are sweetened with sugar, but have considerably fewer calories. Cocktails with spices and condiments will burn the calories of the drink as well as balance the taste of the drink. Spicy cocktails will enable the customers to drink more and more with low calorie intake.


Sweetness from Fruits

As part of a balanced diet, consumers are increasingly demanding products sweetened with the natural sweetness of fruits, rather than refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. Natural sweetener is being used more and more frequently in still fruit juice and near water drinks, categories in which manufacturers are concerned about the naturalness of their product.

The labels on products containing natural fruit sweeteners often carry claims such as “No added sugar”, “Sweetened with fruit extracts”, or “Fruit-sweetened”. Many consumers prefer natural fruit sweeteners because they are produced using a purely natural process, without any chemical or enzymatic additives. Fresh fruit juices and vegetable purees will not only add the taste, will also contribute the refreshing and nourishing character to the beverage.
Fruit Portions

Fruit portions are redefining the way people enjoy fruit. This healthy, drinkable format ranges from the classic fruit smoothie to fruit “shots” in small servings. A definitive factor is the concept of being able to consume the minimum daily intake of 400g (five portions) of fruit and vegetables, as recommended by international nutritionists, in a practical, drinkable format. This approach is supported by numerous, international “5 a day” campaigns, some of which are coordinated governmentally.

These fruit portions concepts have a prime market position, and are based mainly on pure, natural ingredients such as selected juices (not from concentrate), fruit purees or fruit pieces, which are made into tasty, high-quality drinks with no added preservatives or sugar. Smoothies contain 100% fruit, and fruit shots in small portions are often more highly concentrated.
Fruit Portions

Fruit portions are redefining the way people enjoy fruit. This healthy, drinkable format ranges from the classic fruit smoothie to fruit “shots” in small servings. A definitive factor is the concept of being able to consume the minimum daily intake of 400g (five portions) of fruit and vegetables, as recommended by international nutritionists, in a practical, drinkable format. This approach is supported by numerous, international “5 a day” campaigns, some of which are coordinated governmentally.

These fruit portions concepts have a prime market position, and are based mainly on pure, natural ingredients such as selected juices (not from concentrate), fruit purees or fruit pieces, which are made into tasty, high-quality drinks with no added preservatives or sugar. Smoothies contain 100% fruit, and fruit shots in small portions are often more highly concentrated.

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Posted in: cocktails,drinks,food and beverage,fruits,spicy cocktails,sweetness

Cuisine And Culture

One of the oldest civilizations known to man, India, is many worlds within one. From the alpine mountains up North, to the sultry, spicy lands down South, each region is as diverse as it gets. India has been visited by many races in the past – each bringing with it, its unique culture, tradition, sometimes religion, and without a doubt – its food!

One of the first races recorded to have invaded India was of the Aryans. They brought with them sugar, turmeric and black pepper and introduced domestication of cattle to obtain milk. They classified all foods into Satvik (easily digestible), Rajasik (heavy to digest) and Tamasik (dark foods leading to an unhealthy life), thereby teaching the native Indian to emphasize on the development of mind, body and soul through food.

The northern region of the country was highly influenced by Mughal or Persian cooking style. The Persians introduced the Indians to rich relishes, meats with cream and butter sauces, dates, nuts, and sweets. The essence of their native place was incorporated in the India Cuisine with dishes like the Biryani, Kebabs, Breads and Pulao. These dishes are a vital part of Indian food as we know it today and one simply cant seem to get enough of them!

When the Portugese started trading in India, they brought with them an assortment of ‘New World' vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, chillies, garlic and exotic fruits. They passed on their love for tangy and spicy delicacies with dishes such as Prawn Balchao and Pork Vindaloo which changed the face of Goan food as it was then known.

During the British invasion, Indians were introduced to Whisky and Tea. The British introduced salads, short eats and desserts to the Indian palate. By the time they left the country, dining tables had replaced kitchen floors as the place to eat and porcelain crockery had replaced the banana leaf as the utensil to eat out of.

In the midst of all these invasions and interventions, there were also the Chinese explorers who passed on the art of stir frying and the practice of adding a tinge of sweet to food items. Also, one cannot ignore the influence on the Mongolian invasion in Eastern India. They introduced rice production and Mustard to the East Indian populace. Their food preparation was simple, to suit their nomadic lifestyle, cooking meat to use in soups or in dumplings.

Once the invasions died down and life returned to normalcy, people in every region had the freedom to develop their own local cuisine. They began to be developed per climatic conditions of a particular region. At that time, the food distribution network wasn't as speedy as today, and people had to make do with what they had. For instance, South Indian food is representative of its tropical climate – it is hot, spicy and not very greasy. Dishes such as chettinadu, etc. send many a heart racing with their spiciness!

Rajasthani food, on the other hand, has evolved with the complexity of life in a desert. The region faces a water and fresh vegetable scarcity and hence its food is tougher, i.e. it does not require heating before consumption and can last longer. For instance, Bhati (eaten with Dal – Churma) is known for its long shelf life as well as the minimal quantity of water required in preparation. Then there are the coastal states that extensively use coconut oil in their cooking – Kerala's cuisine is full of coconut and it's by – products and West Bengal makes good use of its fish supply!

Over time, the food people eat defines them as a culture. In many ways it affects their lifestyles and temperaments. For example, our Gujarati forefathers began adding sweet to their food to counter the saltiness of their water. Over time, this became a practice and today, Gujarati food is sweet and known to be so, even though the quality of water may have changed.

Although foods alone do not represent a cuisine - it is the meaning and myths surrounding the ingredients, the preparation, the cooking, the combination of flavors and practices of eating, that determine the makings of a cuisine. Cuisine is often what sets a culture apart and provides a common insight into what it means to "belong" to that community. What's unique about Indian cuisine is that its recipes have been passed on over generations by word of mouth. Generations of grandmothers and mothers have spent hours toiling in the kitchen, passing their knowledge and wisdom to their daughters. This tradition has ensured some secrets stay with the community while defining the framework of a cuisine.

All in all, exploring India requires more than ample time, an over flowing appetite and most importantly, an open heart. Because if you are to experience the country, what better way than to do it through its food.

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Posted in: cuisine,culture,desserts,food and beverage,food preparation,kitchen management,production,salad,tea,whisky

How To Find Success - Personal And Professional

I am going to tell my story about how I made my first million at a young age, heck, I'm still young. I will also tell how I finally found peace and happiness which was instrumental me becoming financially successful. All my life I was an under performer, at almost everything I did. I failed a couple of years at school; I was bad at sports and just generally an "E" grade student. This went on though my college career and I barley scraped through my qualification.

I went on to do a Microsoft Qualification which I really excelled at, this was strangely bizarre a I had just got on the course because I didn't know what I really wanted to do or where to go with my life. I even managed to get into the top 5% of all students. I left the course at the end of the year and proceeded to try and find a job. Which I failed dismally at, the course I had taken was a very popular course and the IT market was flooded with people with this type of qualification.

Eventually I got a job working for my girlfriend's dad, and that only lasted about eight months, I then drifted from job to job. Never working for more than a year at any one place of employment. I got pretty tired of being just a guy with pretty rubbish, low paying office type jobs so I decided to move to another country, thing that it would be much easier somewhere else. The grass is always greener...

This was really the start of my hardship, I struggled to get any type of job and after being really broke ended up working as a dishwasher in a hotel, I did this for six months and then moved to more of a proper sales job. Guess what that only lasted three months before I was fired. This continual cycle never seemed to stop and went through another three jobs before I decided that I should maybe think about doing something that I wanted to do. I decided that I had better start my own business so I couldn't get fired for one. It also puts the responsibility squarely on your shoulders, so if it all goes wrong it's no one else's fault but your own.

Since I know a bit about IT, I thought that it would probably be a good place to start. That's where it all began, I started offering basic IT services to small business owners, that lead to referrals, and it all snow balled. I didn't take much money out the business, and kept my overheads low and reinvested as much as I could. Within three years I had make over one Million Pounds, and had a business worth five times that. To top it all off I am still under thirty. The moral of the story is, be prepared to take the risk of starting your own business. Work hard and be smart. Don't rob your business as soon as you start making a bit of money.

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Posted in: business,business owners,career in hotel,dishwasher,hotel manager,money,personal,professionals

Career in Hospitality Management

Hospitality management is the academic study of the running of hotels, restaurants, and travel and tourism-related business. Hospitality management is both a field of work and a field of study. In the work sense, it refers to management of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and other institutions in the hospitality industry. As a field of study, it refers to the study of the hospitality industry and its management needs.

Given the potential for interesting and rewarding careers in tourism and hospitality industries many young people are looking for suitable courses which will help and facilitate them to build strong career in tourism and hospitality industries. After graduating from Hotel Management institutes there is a wide range of career option available for all the aspirants.

Hotels, one can get placed in reputed hotels like Taj, Oberoi's and to some international chains like Hyatt, Sheraton etc. One can get placed in different departments like housekeeping, front office and food & beverages etc depending upon skills, knowledge and interest of the candidate.

Airline industry, is also a good option for the hotel management students. One can join as an Air Hostess and Flight Stewards. Some of them can also join as ground Staff or as Public Relationship officers. Retail sector, has a wide range open for hotel management graduates. It includes PVR, Malls, Back Office jobs, joining as receptionist in corporate offices, Hospitals and BPO industry.

Enterpreneur, one has the option to open up his own hotel as he has done the theoratical study and can now implement studied principles to make his hotel world famous.

Careers in hotel management-The Hospitality sector travel & tourism, hotel industry - has witnessed a fast growth in recent years. To match its rapid growth, the Hostel industry is in constant need of qualified professionals. Candidates opting for the Career in Hotel Management need to go through a rigorous professional training program. Qualification in Hotel management will open doors for young aspirants in the areas like Management trainee in hotels, Customer relationship executives in hotels, Housekeeping management, Cabin crew in airlines, Catering officer in cruiselines and executive in Tourism Development Corporations.

With increasing globalization, career opportunities in the field of hospitality are not limited within the country but there are chains of hotels which operate internationally providing scope of a career abroad. With the growth of hotel industry propelled by foreign and domestic tourism and business travel, the demand for well trained quality personnel too has grown impressively.

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Posted in: aspirants,career option,departments,enterpreneur,hospitality management,hotel management,hotel management institutes,Hyatt,management needs,Oberoi,Sheraton,Taj

The Effect of Yield Management on Hotel Chains

Yield, or revenue management, is the process by which sales of a limited quantity of goods, such as hotel rooms, airline seats, apartment leasing, rental cars, or etc. are managed in order to maximize profits. Successful yield management focuses on selling the product in such a manner that is timely, price competitive, and directed towards the right subset of customers. An economic concept first posited by Dr. Matt H. Keller, and first used by the airline industries beginning in the 1970s, yield management has evolved in more recent years as an important tool especially for the airline and hotel industries for staying economically competitive in otherwise saturated business playing fields.

The basic concept of yield management is based in the economic principle of supply and demand: when supplies are short, prices go up; when supply is high, prices go down. Yield management is a studied, systematic method by which managers can logically place customers within the supply demand spectrum, and thus gain the highest yield for their products. For example, a customer who has very little flexibility in his or her travel plans is the customer who is most likely to pay a higher price for airline tickets and hotel rooms. The customer with a great deal of flexibility is not as inclined to pay a higher price.

Hotel Chains and Yield Management

Many hotels rate their success by their occupancy levels, but this isn't necessarily the best measure of success. Another way to rate a hotel's performance is by determining its REVPAR, or Revenue Per Available Room. REVPAR is calculated by dividing the total room revenue by the total number of rooms. For example, a hotel that makes $6,000 one night with a total number of 100 rooms has a REVPAR of $60.

The yield manager's job is to maximize the revenue per available room by selling rooms to the right customers, at the right price, at the right time. How does the yield manager accomplish this somewhat nebulous task?

Successful yield management arises from several factors: an understanding of what the hotel hopes to achieve (whether that is room occupancy, REVPAR, or some other measurement); a clear understanding of what kind of hotel the manager is working with, which will lead to an understanding of what a customer visiting the hotel wants in his or her hotel experience, and why customers choose their hotel over another hotel; an ability to measure group sales against the overall goals of the hotel (for example, a hotel whose main goal is occupancy will be happy to host a large group at a lowered rate, but a hotel whose main goal is revenue may turn down a larger group in favor of a smaller group who can pay a higher rate); and a knowledge of what will cause the market to fluctuate (such as holidays, regular regional and local events, etc.). The yield manager will ideally consider all these factors when creating different rates for hotel guests.

Typical Yield Management Arrangements

A basic yield management price arrangement might look something like this:

Regular Rate: $89.00

Corporate or Business Rate: $79.00

Triple-A or Other Special Discount rate: $69.00


Other arrangements will take into account seasonal price changes. A mountain resort whose main business is serving winter vacationers, such as skiers and snowboarders, will have a lower supply and higher demand of rooms during winter months, whereas a hotel on the beach can charge more for rooms during the summer months than during the winter months. Hotels can create three seasonal rates: the highest rate for the months during which they expect to serve the most guests, a mid-season rate, and the lowest rate for months during which they have the lowest demand.

Seasonal arrangements do not necessarily need to be tied to the local geography not all hotels are in the mountains or on the beach. City hotel managers must take it upon themselves to learn about the corporations in their area and make personal connections with these corporate executives, learning their business cycles. Different businesses have annual events or conferences that they will be host on a regular basis; it's up to the hotel sales managers to learn these business cycles and cater to these corporate clients.

In conclusion, to stay competitive in today's market, any hotel that wishes to be successful must learn how to apply yield management techniques to their particular situation. Having determined how to gain the highest yield per room, any staff member who interacts with customer must be trained in how to clearly explain room rates to guests. The ability of staff to explain room rates to guests will determine whether customers are happy or unhappy. Their ability will stem from managements' ability to clearly communicate the hotel's goals and yield management principles.

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Posted in: customers,economic principle,focus,highest yield,managers,maximize profits,products,supply and demand,yield management

What To Look For In A Luxury Hotel

Staying at a hotel can be one of the best, and most relaxing experiences that many people will ever have, especially if the hotel of choice is a luxury hotel. Finding a luxury hotel that will meet your vacationing or weekend getaway needs may take a little digging, but it will be well worth it.

What is a Luxury Hotel?

Hotels are given a rating from zero to five stars - five star rating being the best. When a luxury hotel is rated, there are different things about it that are given a rating, and the rating is averaged to give it the hotel star rating.

In the United States, Europe, and England, there are star ratings for hotels, though each area uses a slightly different way to rate them. The star rating is meant to help people who want to choose a luxury hotel based on certain criteria.

Room size, comfort level of the room and especially the bed, noise level audible in the room, cleanliness, decor, amenities provided, and service of the luxury hotel staff are all rated during the overall process of reviewing the luxury hotel. The bottom line, though, is that if you want a luxury hotel, you will want to look for a four star rating at the least, and possibly a five star rating.

The star rating is not the only thing which distinguishes a luxury hotel from other hotels. Most often a hotel will be considered a luxury hotel if the rating is at least four, and there are other unique things about the luxury hotel, such as a particular focus or special perks that are not common to other hotels that are not considered to be in the luxury hotel category. Having a spa, in room massage, offering child care, and even having a special theme throughout the hotel may help as one establishment is deemed a luxury hotel.

Special Perks

Usually a luxury hotel will offer special perks. You may be able to find a luxury hotel that will offer perks and amenities in almost any area including family fun, romantic adventure, and exotic treatments.

Finding what you want in a luxury hotel can make your vacation time or weekend getaway even more memorable.

There is a luxury hotel option available in many price ranges and one can be found by looking for the star rating. Make sure when you look at the rating of a luxury hotel, you look at the ratings for the individual categories that have been rated. If comfort and room service are more important to you than space and a blow dryer, then give those things precedence over the other.

Give yourself the vacation you deserve with all the comforts you will want when you are away from home. A luxury hotel will help you do just that. With the best in ratings, the best in perks, and the amenities offered that mean a lot to you as you relax and enjoy yourself, a luxury hotel will make your time away even better than it would have been.

Staying at a luxury hotel will mean that you are giving yourself the best there is to offer. A luxury hotel is available for your convenience and in many price ranges. A luxury hotel will offer the best - it is up to you to take it.

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Posted in: amenities,distinguishes,establishment,hotel category,hotel establishment,hotel manager,luxury hotels,perks,special theme,star rating

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Today's customer relies on the ability to enjoy their hotel stay beyond any freebee or rewards offered. The modern hotel is one that can build a relationship with their customers with a personalized stay - a stay that customers want to come back to again and again. But how does a large hotel create such personalization? The infrastructure of large hotels is no longer like the grass-roots hotel of previous generations.

How are today's hotel customers different?
Customers who were once pleased by rewards and prizes care more about the hotel that remembers them. The frequent traveler and the occasional vacationer are more likely to return to a hotel that gets to know them. The issue is that it can be difficult for customers to describe what they want in a personalized stay. Staff must be cunning and diligent, finding information by listening when their customers give them small talk or complaints, and being the pleasant surprise that the customer least expects.

What strategy can be used to connect to customers?
The use of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application to create a business strategy is an excellent way to increase customer loyalty and customer retention. By personalizing a customer's stay, a hotel can ensure that customers will come back again and again simply by remembering their favorite beverage, pillow or other preferred amenity.

So why do hotels need effective CRM implementations?
CRM implementations allow hotels to customize the stay of loyal and valued customers as well as create special loyalty rates for customers who continue to spend quality time and money with the hotel. This is important because customers remember hotels that gave them personalized care. Also, a business strategy put into place with CRM ensures that the hotel's technology is up to date and that a hotel can track a customer's satisfaction by creating a close relationship to that customer.

What are some other benefits to CRM implementation?
Today's technology allows a hotel to get to know loyal customers and provide special gifts such as sending flowers to a spouse or gifts for children simply from remembering how the customer feels about those who are special in their lives. Technology also gives a hotel the ability to provide advertisements to guests who are of a certain age who may or may not have children to provide them with personalized information based on who they are vacationing with.

Which customers have become the primary focuses for CRM?
Business customers travel frequently and high-end service is important to them in the hotels they stay in. Hotels are often impersonal for business customers, and it is important to make them feel as comfortable and as much at home as possible. Learning their needs produces more stays and requests for your particular hotel. CRM is important for logging the personalized amenities of business customers in order to ensure they have the best stay.

What is the profitability for a hotel with CRM?
With the primary focus on the customer's personalized needs and not on finance, marketing or sales, CRM allows hotels to maximize profitability by creating loyal customers, improving customer service and improving customer retention. The more customers who continue to stay due to the relationship they have built with that hotel through CRM implementation, the more profitable that hotel becomes.

Attention to the preferences and dislikes of a customer allows a customer's stay to be enjoyable, and implementing CRM applications into hotel technology creates a streamlined approach to personalizing the stay of customers. When preferences and dislikes are tracked, a hotel is able to provide the most comfortable stay, and becomes an enjoyable place for all customers to come back to again and again.

Increasing customer loyalty is extremely important for the modern hotel, and CRM provides the relationship link between that hotel and the customer in order to give the customer a quality experience. It is important to understand that CRM is a way to run your hotel, and not just a tool to use within the way your hotel is run. Although technology is used in the organizing of customer data, Customer Relationship Management is a strategy that your entire staff should be on board with implementing individually and completely.

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Posted in: CRM,customer loyalty,customer management,customer relationship management,hotel management,modern hotel,organizing,strategy

The Importance Of Human Recources Management For Hotels

One of the most important departments of any hotel staff is human resources management. Proper human resources management can be the difference between a really well run hotel and a poorly one hotel. The human resources manager can control almost the whole feeling and presence of the entire hotel. This makes the importance of human resources management for hotels very evident.

There are several different areas in which human resources management is very important. One of these areas is for newly hired employees. The employees that are hired in a hotel can really alter the quality of service and the whole atmosphere of the hotel. This means that it is very important to pick upbeat, dedicated workers for each position. It is the job of the human resources manager to make sure that good people are chosen to work in the hotel. In many cases many hotel workers are only participating in hotel work because they can find nothing else to do. Not very many people have a dream of running or serving in a hotel environment. However, there are some people who do want to work in that capacity, and it is the job of the human resources manager to find those people.

Retention of employees is another large problem in the hotel service business. Since so many of the employees do not have hotel work as their ending career goals, many of them only work in a hotel for a short amount of time. Other employees may have to be let go because of poor work ethics or other issues. However, there are ways that a hotel human resources manager can curb some of the desire and likelihood that employees will move to other jobs quickly. The importance of human resources management for hotels is very large in this area. Managers can provide good training and incentive programs that will cause employees to stay longer at the hotel. Having a clear progression plan to advance to higher levels of service will also cause employees to stick around much longer.

The issue of employee progression and promotion is also another large issue for the hotel industry. The importance of human resources management for hotels is proven in this area. Hotels which provide ways for employees to advance in position, or that provide training for employees so that they can gain skills necessary for an advanced position are very important to the retention rate of employees. It is easy to implement services of this nature and the expense is negligible compared to the expense and time necessary to constantly find new employees to replace the ones that always leave shortly after being hired. One of the easiest things to implement is English lessons. Many hotel employees do not speak English very well, and so it is a great incentive for them to stay working at a hotel if they are offered English lessons.

The importance of human resources management for hotels is also important in the area of employee services. If the employees know they can come to the human resources manager whenever they have a problem or issue then it is easier for them to work in good conscience. Many human resources departments implement different games and activities to make the work environment more interesting and fun for employees. There are many different services that a human resources manager can think of to help employee morale. Maybe the hotel could implement a babysitting service, or have a park day every year. These little services go a long way towards making happy employees. Happy employees make happy companies and happy customers.

As you can see, the importance of human resources management for hotels is very great. There are thousands of ways that a human resources manager can make a hotel run more smoothly and more efficiently. There are many different areas that can benefit from the experience and guidance of a human resources manager. Therefore it is very important to not undermine the manager's importance. Without the human resources manager a hotel is not the same or as pleasing to customers and employees.

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Posted in: employees,hotel environment,hotel management,hotel manager,HR management,human resources,human resources management,importance of HR