The Role of the Hotel Reception Staff

To a great extent, people judge whether their stay in a hotel was good or bad by how they were treated by the reception staff.
The reception staff are the visible representatives of the hotel. They therefore have a lot of responsibility on their hands. Anything that goes wrong in the hotel is considered the receptionists' fault, and this is often true. Good planning and preparation on behalf of this department leads to less complaints and more satisfied returning guests.

Reception is where the hotel is coordinated. They are the ones that know how many guests are in the hotel, how many are coming and how many are leaving at all times. Arrangements must be made to accommodate everyone appropriately or complaints from guests will be justified. If a guest needs anything, they go to reception first. For this reason, the reception staff must be informed of everything that happens in a hotel.
The receptionists are the image of the hotel in the eyes of the guests, especially. A good receptionist will make you feel comfortable in your "home away from home". There are many times when we don't even see the guests during their stay -save for giving them their room key on petition, but others go to reception quite often, because they need advice on touring the area, have a problem, or just need someone to chat to.
There are very few times when receptionists in bigger hotels have nothing to do. it's a misconception that they are only there to hand out keys and listen to complaints. Reservations are handled, overbooking must be controlled and accounting must be done. You need to know which rooms are ready for your guests, which rooms need to be repaired, repainted, and so on. Receptionists are in constant contact with the maid service and maintenance mainly to ensure everything is just right before guests arrive.
Efficiency, friendliness, insight and patience are essential qualities that every receptionist must have to do their job properly.

Hotel Lobby Dynamic Signage

On a recent visit to the Marriott hotel group, we where met at the reception with a digital advertising screen that had a inbuilt motion sensor.
This gave us some basic information for the hotel, such as what leisure facility operating hours are, what was on the menu in the restaurant and in the bar and information about Internet access.

This bought time as the receptionist was busy dealing with another customer who was checking in, and by the time the ads had looped completely we where being checked in.
This is the most basic use of digital signage, however a more complex digital signage solution is deployed at the Hyatt group of hotels, here they have an interactive check in and an express check out. Also in their car park they utilize outdoor digital signage to advertise their group of hotels in various destinations throughout the globe, this type of solution is common in hotels and this is how they achieve it.
Check in desk dynamic advertising.
Here numerous large flat panel displays are deployed above the desk and are viewed by guests as they check in. The content is stored on a local networked media player just behind the wall, kind of a back office application; this is then connected to the massive displays using Category 5e network cables, this enables the content to be uploaded from a local PC connected to the media player.

Self serve check in and check out.
This application uses a floor standing kiosk that is touch sensitive so guests can input their data, i.e. reservation number. This can either be on a secured wireless network that is also used by the handheld terminals used by staff to take card payments, or alternatively they can be wired to the main computer network or be a standalone solution with the media player inbuilt.
Advantages of WIFI interactive kiosks - is there are no unsightly wires running across the floor or from the ceiling, also the kiosks can be located any where in the foyer of the hotel lobby and can be moved to another location with very little disruption.
Disadvantages of wireless touchscreen kiosks - these can be costly.
Benefits of hard wired interactive kiosks - kit costs are less than the wireless type as the hardware is more expensive.
Challenges of hard wired interactive kiosks - due to the nature of the installation, the location is really restricted to either the edges of a room of near a pillar to conceal the cables. Moving the kiosk to a new location is expensive as engineers have to be called in to re-lay to the new location.
Advantages of an interactive digital kiosk - these are very affordable, due to the media player being built in and can even run Flash content. Moving to another location is easy, just move the kiosk with no purchase any wireless adapters or having to pay for engineers to come to site.
Conclusion.
If you are going to install digital signage in a hotel lobby, you need to think how to connect it, bearing in mind if it is likely you be moved during any event, such as a wedding - the bride does not want to be upstaged by the digital signage hardware. If this is the case a digital poster is the most affordable solution.

How to Start and Run a Hotel Business Successfully

If you are thinking to start to start your own hotel business, it is better to plan your business priorities first. It will help you to know what exactly you need in order to achieve your business objective. Every business needs a robust business plan before it gets started whether its matter of raising funds or to run the business. Here are few steps to enable you to start your hotel business successfully.

Raising Funds
Every business needs money to be invested in it to function properly and when you are starting a new hotel, money is the critical element of your planning. Whether you are planning to buy an established hotel or constructing your own from the scratch, you need strong financial planning for it. The best source to raise funds is taking a business loan from a bank. You can approach to any bank of your choice but before that keep your business plan ready. Nearly all banks need a business plan as an integral part of your loan application
Location of Hotel
A right location matters a lot for your hotel to get success. For example if your hotel is located in an area where competitors are unable to fulfill the requirements of travelers your hotel can touch the heights of success and if your hotel is located on a walking distance from the main tourist attraction but there is lot of competition your hotel might not get enough guests. If you hotel is located near to airport or railway station or bus stand, you will get many guest without doing any thing. You also have to think that shopping places and entertainment places are easily accessible from hotel.
Strategy
Business strategy is the foundation of successful hotel business. Your strategy should be very clear in concept without any confusion. It is better to plan your business strategies in advance. Just ask few questions to yourself like "How you will fulfill the requirements of families, kids, honeymoon couples, business travelers and international tourists." And "What kind of services you will offer to your guest." A good strategy is always a key to success in any business.
Hospitality Experience
If you are new to this industry you might face lots challenges to gain success. You must know "How you want your guests to be treated in your hotel". Every guest in your hotel needs highest level of attention and service whether it's a family or business traveler. It is better to first get a job in a hotel, learn some basics of hospitality industry and then start your own hotel.
Marketing
Once your hotel is up and running, you need customers. If you will not get enough guests in your hotel your business will fail. To attract guest you must run effective marketing campaign and you must advertise your hotel. You must contact travel agents and franchise to get bookings in your hotel. There are many online hotel booking websites, you must register with them. Your hotel must have an effective website of its own with online hotel booking facility so that your customers can make direct booking with you and you don't have to pay commission to travel agent. You can pass this saving to your guest by lowering down your tariff or by providing then additional services.