By Dr. Elinor Garely, Editor in Chief, TourismExecutives.com (a division of eTN Publishing) | Mar 26, 2015
So. What is New?
To differentiate suite space in this ever-competitive landscape, and to accept the reality of allergies and food safety/security issues for c-suite executives, some top-of-the market properties are putting in full-service kitchens and laundry rooms. Celebrity chefs are hired to prepare meals and staffers handle housekeeping chores (shades of Hugh Hefner who started the personal sheets and pillow-case trend).
While these spaces could be spectacular, most of the time it looks like a staffer made a Home Depot run, and – overnight – the space was filled with an oven, micro-wave, dish washer, and clothes washer and drier. The space looks more like a truck stop than an environment for a c-suite executive.
It is time for hoteliers to wake up and integrate new and wonderful fixtures, appliances and technology into their hotel suites. Any wealthy millennial or senior executive worthy of a hotel suite is worth an interior that is as beautiful, original and memorable as the homes they left to attend to business.
From Yawn to Buzz
The new and creative ideas for living space are now being generated for the residential market – but easily adapted to the hotel landscape.
I recently attended the 2015 New York Architectural Digest Show and found lots of WOWS. To help hoteliers recognize what is new, wonderful and “must have” for the newly built or renovated suite, I offer six opportunities to make senior executives remember your hotel and make plans to return. Perhaps it is time for GMs to call their very high priced (and dull) interior designers and demand they turn the hotel space into something that will create a buzz rather than a yawn.
My Recommendations
1. Stuff Safety
I want my jewels, passport/visa, Prada’s and Jimmy Choo’s to be safe. I am tired of the tin boxes that can be opened by a child with a pair of safety scissors. I also want the safe to be gorgeous! My recommendation is the yellow-lacquer Crown Jewel that is torch, tool and fire resistant. It offers the highest security safe available in the market place. It has six solid steel, chrome or gold plated bolts as anchors. The UL listed digital lock or fingerprint keypad is available in chrome or gold plate finish, the handles are chrome or gold-plated. The interior is so yummy that I was motivated to keep the safe “unlocked.” Additional information acmesafenewyork.com
2. Playtime
I may have to work in my hotel suite; but I also want to play. To do this with style and class, my space MUST have crystal glass game tables (pool and table tennis). The Calma-E-Gesso tables combine Italian style with technology. Not for hoteliers on a budget, the billiard table is priced at $69,000 and the ping-pong table starts at $30,000 (it can also double as a dining table). Additional information: bdcollection.com
3. Getting Clean
A bathtub could be just a place to take a bath, or it could be a work of art. Enter the Newton Bathtub made of black lacquer brass spheres with high gloss varnish finishing and gold plated spheres in the base.
The Lapiaz tub would fit well into the 2nd bathroom of the suite. Lapiaz (French) name given to the typical karst formations produced by surface dissolution of limestone or dolomite rock. The polished brass details and mirrored sides of the tub speak luxury. For additional information maisonvalentina.net/products/bathtubs/
4. Chillingly True
There is nothing more embarrassing than sitting down with business associates in the hotel suite, opening a bottle of Macallan 64 year old in a Lalique decanter ($460,000), Stoli or Makers’ Mark, placing the Baccarat high ball glasses ($730 per glass) on the side board – and realizing there is no ice for the drinks. How horrible and embarrassing (and a waste of time) to have to trudge to an ice machine located in hotel Siberia or wait for room service to bring the bucket. The answer to this crises is the in-the-room-in-the-wall ice machine from True. For over 70 years this company has led the refrigeration industry. This Made in the USA necessity makes it almost worthwhile to spend $5000+ a night for a place to sleep. For additional information: truemfg.com/
5. Lifestyle on the Wall + Security
A wall should be more than a wall. Each guest should be able to have walls filled with their favorite works of art and be surrounded by their personal music choices. Whether the art is Rembrandt or photos of buffalo roaming the plains, each suite must have its own entertainment design and control system. Personal security includes cameras, intercoms, door locks, phone systems and biometric entry systems. AHT and Blackdove align their tech savvy (audio/video/lighting/motorized window treatment systems, security infrastructure) with the needs/wants of the guest so each room can be personalized through a few apps and login codes. For additional information: Ahtglobal.com and blackdove.co
6. Chef Happiness
Executives travel on their stomachs. To keep the President happy, he/she requires the culinary comfort that only comes from a Private Chef. If the Chef is happy then the meals will be memorable.
To make the chef smile, the suite must have a state-of-the art kitchen. No – the Celebrity Chef cannot prepare and complete the menu in the hotel kitchen and have room service deliver it on a cart! Not for the executives you are seducing into your hotel! The brands that qualify for this major league environment: Bosch, Gaggenau, Meile, and Dacor. Designed in cooperation with professional chefs, the designs meet the functionality required to make the dining experience exquisite. From induction cooktops to convection/microwave ovens, from in-room washers/dryers, the suite guests should have everything at their fingertips. For more information bosch.us, gaggenau.com/us/, miele.com/, dacor.com
Suite Adventures
A 2014 Gallup Poll of the hospitality industry disclosed that for guests at the high-end of the market, price is not a top factor in repeat business; rather, it is the look and feel of the hotel that is a crucial consideration. If your hotel suite is a clone of every other suite – there is no motivation for this level of guest to return. Turn the living space into a memorable royal adventure, and guests will return time and again. Create a suite worthy of a royal and he/she will add the property to their personal reservation list.
the culinary comfort that only comes from a Private Chef. If the Chef is happy then the meals will be memorable.
To make the chef smile, the suite must have a state-of-the art kitchen. No – the Celebrity Chef cannot prepare and complete the menu in the hotel kitchen and have room service deliver it on a cart! Not for the executives you are seducing into your hotel! The brands that qualify for this major league environment: Bosch, Gaggenau, Meile, and Dacor. Designed in cooperation with professional chefs, the designs meet the functionality required to make the dining experience exquisite. From induction cooktops to convection/microwave ovens, from in-room washers/dryers, the suite guests should have everything at their fingertips. For more information bosch.us, gaggenau.com/us/, miele.com/, dacor.com
Suite Adventures
A 2014 Gallup Poll of the hospitality industry disclosed that for guests at the high-end of the market, price is not a top factor in repeat business; rather, it is the look and feel of the hotel that is a crucial consideration. If your hotel suite is a clone of every other suite – there is no motivation for this level of guest to return. Turn the living space into a memorable royal adventure, and guests will return time and again. Create a suite worthy of a royal and he/she will add the property to their personal reservation list
http://www.tourismexecutives.com/51507/hotel-suites-are-boring
