Hospitality leaders agree: lifestyle hotels are more than a passing fad. The new norm focuses on guest experience and upscale communal features like critically acclaimed restaurants and WiFi friendly lobby seating.

Travelers want their hotel to be a desirable place to hang out, and “have a room upstairs.” The results can vary depending on the target market (young millennials, business travelers, international tourists) but the emphasis on a unique experience runs across the board.

A recent profile of the Freehand Hotels shows how the new chain learned from its first project, a hostel-style boutique in Miami with private and shared rooms. Guests loved the community lounge spaces but strongly preferred private rooms. Freehand changed gears for its subsequent hotels, moving away from shared bathrooms but keeping the lounge spaces.

Pod Hotels in New York City show the same commitment to the “lifestyle” concept. Guests are greeted by a twenty-something concierge dressed to go DJ at a nightclub — and find themselves immersed in a trendy bar scene before reaching the front desk.

Mainstream hotels and business hotels are embracing lifestyle, too. Some spotlight the beauty of restored historic buildings, local artwork, or lobby filled with business productivity tools.

For hotel management, the shift toward lifestyle hotels means creating a consistent atmosphere. After  choosing new decor and lobby furniture, the hotel can streamline daily operations with new tools for hotel and hospitality cart movement. Employees work with motorized carts to get cleaning and maintenance done quickly — putting the best foot forward for the hotel’s lifestyle experience.

For more info on hotel and hospitality cart movement, visit DJ Products.com.

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A successful hotel is more than just a place to sleep. The hospitality industry is always adapting to accommodate evolving customer needs and incorporate current marketing methods.

Industry newsletter 4Hoteliers weighs in with significant hospitality trends that hotel managers should keep an eye on in 2017.

What Does 2017 Hold for the Hospitality Industry?

• Technology continues to revolutionize the workplace as companies develop robots to enhance customer service in positions like housekeeping and concierge. While some workers may become displaced, this change will open up opportunities for those who are willing to learn new skills.
• Guests will be able to use mobile check-in by means of a “pod” or simply by going to their room. In some hotels, guest room phones are being replaced with in-room tablets which can be used to order room service and control other functions.
• Airbnb may be considered competition today, but in the future they are likely to morph into more of an overall distribution channel for both hosts and hotels. In the meantime, use Airbnb as inspiration to make your hotel the preferable resource for travelers.
• How do you define your company culture? Improve employee retention by treating them with the same respect and value that you give to your customers.

Lighten the Load for Employees with Powered Hotel and Linen Carts

Providing a safe and effective workplace is a vital step in boosting employee satisfaction. Powered hotel and linen carts from DJ Products reduce risk of injury and allow employees to perform more efficiently.

Visit our website to learn more about the CartCaddyLite and our full line of powered hotel and linen carts.

The post What Important Trends Should Hotel Managers be Watching for 2017 appeared first on DJ Products.

Continued concern about family finances and potential job loss have kept families at home. Group travel is down, and tours are being cancelled for failure to meet minimums. Businesses have cut travel to hold the line on expenses. Convention and trade show attendance is down. Hotels and motels are competing for a narrowing traveler pool that has forced many to cut staff until the economy improves and the hospitality industry rebounds.

Savvy hoteliers are turning to ergonomically-designed hospitality carts that allow a single employee to accomplish a greater workload with less physical effort. Ergonomic design eliminates strains and pains that workers can develop from pushing heavy laundry, cleaning and linen carts at hotels, motels, casinos and resorts. Powered housekeeping carts and clean and dirty linen carts allow a single employee to safely manage heavy loads of linens or cleaning supplies.

Powered platform carts and electric carts allow easy and safe movement of supplies, materials, parts or machinery from one area of a facility to another. Compact design permits operators to easily and safely maneuver carts through heavily traveled hotel corridors and narrow behind-the-scenes hallways. Motorized dump hoppers makes trash removal a breeze.

DJ Products, the national leader in the manufacture of ergonomic motorized carts and tugs, offers a full line of material handling products designed to meet the needs of the hospitality industry. Our motorized cart retro kit can be adapted and installed on any cart to increase safety and productivity. Visit the DJ Products website for more information.

The post Ergonomic Carts Can Help Struggling Hospitality Industry appeared first on DJ Products.