Everything about hotel staff and the teams that help hotels.
In this age of technology, does the live concierge have reason to fear the digital one? The attraction of hospitality lies in face to face interaction and personalized service. Getting the guest experience right is what drives the passion hoteliers have for their vocation, but some fear that digital takeovers will soon displace these valued interactions. While technology platforms can bring a new level of service, brands are best served using technology to enhance, not replace, concierge service. For instance, many requests such as weather information can be taken from the shoulders of the concierge in order to free up time to make the rest of the experience more enjoyable and perhaps even more personalized. Local recommendations, even if they are stored and accessed using digital means, are best curated using personal experience and word of mouth. Hotel apps can be used in this way to help the concierge reach more people that would be possible in conversation while still providing face to face access for those who would benefit from it. If you are considering adding a tech component to your existing concierge service, get your concierge involved in the process to ensure that your guests have access to …
We were thrilled to work with RLH Corporation on the release of their updated Hello Rewards App earlier this month. “We built the Hello Rewards App with the modern traveler in mind,” said SVP and Chief Information Officer John Edwards. Some of the key updated features include: More convenient mobile keys built to work with multiple door locks, letting owners choose the manufacturer that works best for their property. Text capabilities with the ability to communicate directly to hotel staff before, during, and after the stay. App check in at all Hotel RL locations. Synch with interactive screens in select lobbies to give guests information on local area in the lobby, then take it with them on the app. Guests enrolled in Hello Rewards guest recognition program have a tailored experience with access to their account and stay credits in real time. Hotel curated local recommendations.
Good customer service skills are practically inherent for people who love the hospitality industry, but brand standards exist to turn a good guest experience into a remarkable one. Often these are seemingly minute touches, but they have the potential to make a huge impact on the guest. I have found all-staff training to be one of the biggest tells for a culture of service. This typically includes eye contact and some form of communication from every staff member when they are in contact with a guest, even if they are not in a guest-facing role. It’s about being gracious and accommodating through absolutely every phase of the guest journey and includes every staff member who is in uniform, even if they are off the clock. Management makes a big impact here as well. Experience scores go up when management is engaged with the guests, even if they’re not doing anything different than the staff. It’s a little thing that nudges the general culture in the right direction. Any growth in service development should be sustained with recognition. Both immediate praise and a tangible reward in the form of a comped meal or an extra long lunch can go a long …
As those of us in the States head into Labor Day, hotel workers are gearing up for a busy three-day weekend and some of the hardest-working days of the year. We want to take some time on this day to appreciate them. Passion for the industry is a vital trait for hospitality workers. Driving this passion is a true concern for guests and a desire to see a job well done at the end of the day. For many, the qualities that go into great hospitality are inherent and working with them is a joy. For those of you working hard to make the long weekend great for others, may your Labor Day weekend be fruitful!
Increasing technology use by travelers to interact with brands means that the guest experience, formerly taking place almost entirely within the bounds of a hotel property, now extends to almost anywhere in the world. Whether it be research via tablet, mobile check-in, virtual concierge, or SMS chats with staff, maintaining a seamless guest experience across any channel is a serious challenge for hoteliers. One of the best features to come out of hotel mobile technology is instant translation. This means that travelers or staff from anywhere in the world can communicate with each other clearly and quickly. This has tremendous potential within the industry. Let’s take a look at 12 things that happen when you’re using your staff-facing app to remove the language barrier. Staff and guests feel more comfortable No more searching for the one staff member who speaks the one language Food service becomes safer – “Je suis allergique à l’arachide” is French for “I have a peanut allergy.” Assigned tasks become more clear and precision increases across all departments Work gets done faster due to interdepartmental communication Crucial emergency messaging reaches more people Safety improves with more accurate communication Guests feel comfortable asking for what they need …