Tag: hotels

Chicago Ordinance Would Notify Guests of Work Stoppages

Jul 28

Ashley ChalmersNews, Places to Stay, Tips for Meeting Planners Chicago Hotels, economy, Hotel Unions, hotels, meeting experiences, meeting industry 1 Comment

Chicago’s City Council is hoping to pass an ordinance that would notify potential hotel guests of work stoppages.

Specifically, work stoppages of 20 or more hotel employees having gone on for more than 15 days would be reported to guests prior to booking.

The ordinance would protect guests from being surprised with unions picketing outside hotels or a lack of staffers during their stay.

Quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Roper said,

“With business as difficult as it is to attract, all the meeting planners need is one extra little thing to say, ‘We wanted to get out of Chicago anyway. This is our out.’… In these tough economic times, we don’t need any more negative impressions.”

What do you think?

As a meeting planner, do you have a right to know if the conditions at a hotel are abnormal? How would your decision to stay at a property be affected by a union strike, if at all?

From the hotelier side, do you agree with Mr. Roper? What are some alternative solutions?

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Ethics Rules Alter Travel

Jul 16

Ashley ChalmersNews economy, hotels, Keep America Meeting, meeting industry Comments Off

USA Today posted an interesting article about the ethics of Congressional travel.

Here’s the linK:

Ethics rules alter travel by Congress – USATODAY.com.

The amount of travel over the past few years for lawmakers has dropped significantly, according to the article. From the ethical standpoint, I do not want lawmakers traveling on the dime of a non-profit in order to sway legislation.

However, I can’t help but think about the matter from the hospitality industry’s standpoint. Any travel cutbacks I read or hear about cause me to cringe…because, as we know and have experienced, businesses have been canceling trips and meetings to avoid seeming lavish and excessive in the eyes of Congress.

My hope is that the travel industry, which has already experienced significant lows this year, will not be bundled with Congress’ unethical behavior.

Let the industry have a fair chance for the good to be seen – awareness is the best way. Let’s help spread the word of campaigns like Keep America Meeting to help generate positive press about the travel industry.

What are your thoughts? Does it bother you to see travel associated with negativity? What are some other ways to spread the importance of the industry?

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Radisson Fort McDowell Named Hotel of the Year

Jun 17

Ashley ChalmersMember News, News, Places to Stay Awards, hotels, Radisson Hotels Comments Off

Congratulations to the Radisson Fort McDowell Hotel & Casino…

…for being named Radisson’s Hotel of the Year for 2008!

The property was honored at a special reception yesterday – during the company’s annual meeting.

The Hotel of the Year Award is presented to the property that displayed outstanding sales and marketing efforts, distinguished itself with a high level of commitment to guest service, supported the Radisson brand and has had exceptional financial success.

This is the first time that the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino has been honored with the Hotel of the Year distinction.

Click here to learn more about the gorgeous award-winning resort!

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San Diego Meeting Deals

Jun 04

Ashley ChalmersMember News, Places to Stay, RFP, Tips hotels, hotels in San Diego, Hyatt, meeting planner help, San Diego Comments Off

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is making meeting planners several offers that will be hard to refuse…

with a variety of ways to save on your total bill, meeting room, and even earn 100,000 rewards –

and some of these offers are valid until June 2010!

Check out these fabulous to save by viewing the Manchester Grand Hyatt’s deals.

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How Hotels are Cutting Back

May 05

Ashley ChalmersMisc Tidbits economy, halloween business trends, hotels, travel tips 3 Comments

Hotels have reputations to maintain…

…and a decrease in travel is surely making it difficult to find ways to cut costs without compromising service, quality, or anything of the sort.

The New York Times reports that many hotels have found room service as the best way to cut costs – especially since the offering has not been profitable for quite some time.

The most common cut backs for room service seem to be offering comfort foods, less refined food options, and smaller portions which are priced lower to appeal to customer (and cost the hotel less, too).

To hear what properties across the country are saying on the matter, check out the full article here.

Hotel guests: are you ordering room service less when you travel? Would lowered prices change your mind?

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Hotel Toiletries – For the Taking?

Apr 28

Ashley ChalmersMisc Tidbits, Places to Stay best travel practices, hotels, travel tips Comments Off

Yesterday I saw a commercial for CitiBank that showed several Americans sharing their money saving tips in the current economy.

One in particular stuck out to me: a woman says doesn’t purchase toiletries, and instead takes them from the hotels she stays at.

Perhaps I am misinterpreting the message of the commercial, but it did spark some questions in my mind.

Where do we draw the line? Certainly toiletries are present in a hotel room for guests to use and enjoy, but are they for the taking?

During room service visits, if toiletries have not been used, they will usually not be replaced. Is it wrong for a guest who does not use the toiletries to move them in order to receive more?

I have heard many different guest practices on this issue, and it seems almost everyone has an opinion on it. So…tell me what’s on your mind!

Do you work in a hotel? What’s the standard practice on toiletries?

Are you a frequent traveler? What do you do?

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Dover Delaware Group Deals

Apr 10

Ashley ChalmersMember News, Places to Stay, Tips for Meeting Planners Dover, hotels, meeting ideas, travel tips Comments Off

Deal alert!

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino has announced special rates for group and convention bookings…

…with rates of just $99 a night to stay at the AAA 4-Diamond hotel!

Here are all the details for the great packages!

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Micro Hotels to Spread to U.S.

Mar 24

Ashley ChalmersMisc Tidbits, News, Places to Stay, RFP, Tips, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows economy, environmental-friendly, hotel reviews, hotels, meeting experiences, meeting ideas, unique activities Comments Off

Would you stay in a hotel like this to save some $$?

Micro hotels have been spreading across Europe, and are beginning to reach U.S. cities like New York…

…to help travelers enjoy luxuries for less.

These Micro Hotels focus on making the rooms feel special instead of mall.

What do you think — will the idea catch on? Would you stay here? Will this become the cheap way for businesses and associations to continue meeting?

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