Key Facts About Hotel Benchmarking

What is needed for the hotel management to optimize hotel performance? Perhaps, the first thing they need to know is what problems and weaknesses they have a moment. The next thing is to design strategy for future development. Yes, in a modern business world it is impossible to survive without having a comprehensive strategy. This is explained by a tough competition in the markets. Hotel industry is not an exception here. It is possible to say that the competition is even tougher in a hotel industry than in other business areas. Indeed, if business owners do not know where they are driving at it is very difficult to achieve positive results, especially if competitors and rival hotels are looking for a chance to wipe them out. Strategy is a protection method. A strategy is about dealing with problems even before they occur. Strategy helps and organization to focus on most important thing and problems both in internal and external environment. Use of a reliable and effective strategic management tool is a must for every company that wants to achieve success. Perhaps, you will not find a single hotel that is not happy to welcome guests. However, the hotel management wants that these guests will come back next time. In such a way hotel creates customer database which consists mostly of regular customers. It should be noted that Balanced Scorecard is so far the most effective strategic management tool used to drive strategy into action.

There is a very simple principle behind Balanced Scorecard. It consists of four categories: financial, customer, internal business processes, learning and growth. Each category contains key performance indicators, which are measures to be evaluated. KPIs represent critical success factors for various business aspects. Having found the right combination of key performance indicators, the hotel management will possess up to date information on current hotel performance. Choice of key performance indicators is the most important stage of Balanced Scorecard implementation. Every individual business has own indicators, and hotel is not an exception here. Lets review a couple of key performance indicators that are widely used in hotel benchmarking.

Occupancy % of rooms. This indicator will demonstrate efficiency of marketing and advertising campaign. If hotel has 100 rooms and only half of them are regularly occupied, such a hotel will most certainly suffer losses because of expenses for maintenance of all rooms. Evaluation of this indicator will help optimize hotel performance and its booking policy.

Average cleaning costs per room. This KPI is related to the first one since all rooms have to be cleaned and maintained while not all of them are regularly occupied by guests. This indicator will help top management of a hotel optimize cleaning costs and introduce some measures that will save costs.

Average length of stay per guest. This indicator will help top management figure out what services guests would need during their stay and for how long (on average) rooms have to be clean. If guests stay mostly for several nights they would need additional services.

Management Of Hotels Scorecard With Bsc

It happens that Balanced Scorecard turns into said waste of time and money. This explains critical reviews of Balanced Scorecard submitted by top managers with a negative BCS experience. The problem is that Balanced Scorecard is often considered and magic business management tool that can solve any problems. BSC is a strategic management tool and thus some top managers think it can substitute strategy. Balanced Scorecard mistakes are quite typical, although they differ throughout various industries. Sometimes sets of key performance indicators and implementation guidelines are taken from online sources without proper revision and harmonization with company strategy, organization structure, goals and objectives etc. This also concerns implementation of Balanced Scorecard in hotels. As known, hotel industry is extremely competitive. In order to maintain competitive advantage and revenue rates hotels have to make unique offers to customers providing them with top quality services at competitive prices.
This is only possible if everyone in the company is thinking of ways to improve his or her performance and contribute to implementation of strategic goals.

Balanced Scorecard is perhaps the best tool for these purposes. It does not only serve as performance evaluation tool but also as a powerful strategic management system. It communicates operational in strategic management and takes strategy from presentations and strategic plans to real actions. Implementation of Balanced Scorecard in a hotel has its own peculiar features which are mainly represented in the choice of key performance indicators and customer oriented strategies.

The first thing top managers and hotel owners have to do before making a final decision to implement Balanced Scorecard is to develop a strategy. Do not hope that Balanced Scorecard will substitute the strategy. One should think of future. There is nothing wrong in earning immediate cash, however, you will lose in the long term since competitors make plans for three, five and even ten years. In this sense Balanced Scorecard is just perfect. BSC makes it possible to design long-term strategic plans and control their implementation in real time. Previously, hotel top managers analyzed only financial indicators which represented financial results for past periods. With Balanced Scorecard it is possible to be kept informed on implementation of hotel strategy all the time.

Once the strategy is developed, top managers and maybe Balanced Scorecard consultants have to look for key performance indicators which will be measured in order to obtain information on strategy implementation efficiency. Key performance indicators cover critical success factors in various spheres and aspects of running hotel business. KPIs fall into several categories: financial, customer, internal processes, as well as learning and growth. Names of categories are quite explicit and it is easy to imagine what key performance indicators can be found there. It needs mentioning that implementation of financial goals is only possible through implementation of goals in the other categories. Big profits are made only when more and more customers are coming to hotels, which is only possible through optimization of internal processes, development of unique offers and improvement of personnel professional skills and knowledge.

Luxury Hotels Chicago Providing Lavish Accommodations

Being one of the best travel destinations in the world, Chicago is home to a myriad of great hotels accommodations that are specifically caters to the needs of millions of tourist visiting this city every year. All these Luxury hotels Chicago offers the latest amenities, superb service and fantastic locations.

One of the best Luxury Hotels Chicago is the Peninsula Hotel Chicago. This hotel is perfectly situated at the center of the “Millennium Mile”. It is surrounded by prime attractions, business and entertainment centers in the city. It is also located near the airports for great accessibility of their guests. It has 399 deluxe spacious guest rooms and suites that are all decorated in magnificent classical style. Each room is equipped with high end electronic system which allows the guests to control their room features with just one touch. All room also includes a deep soaking tub with a television above the tub, a large executive table, a data port and a wireless high speed internet connection.

The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is also one of the Luxury Hotels Chicago that speaks of great accommodation and services. It is ideally located near the citys business and financial center. It also offers great view of the astonishing Lake Michigan and other wonderful views of the city. You can enjoy delectable cuisines that combine the taste of France with the flavors of North America. The Four Seasons hotel also offers two private dining rooms that are ideal for intimate activities.

The Trump International hotel also belongs to the Chicagos collection of great luxury hotels. This hotel has a clean and lovely interior design that offers a wonderful luxury experience for their guests. Trump also offers exquisite facilities like a large swimming pool. A well facilitated gym, spacious suits that will remind you of your high-class social status. This hotel also offer a wonderful view of the splendid Chicago River and the citys Magnificent Mile. This hotel offers you nothing but great service and superb accommodation.

These are only three of the most exquisite hotels that Chicago provides for their millions of visitors every year. If you are about to visit this city, you surely wouldnt want to miss having a stay with these exquisite hotels in Chicago. There are a lot more hotels in this city that will provide you with all your accommodation needs and wants. All you have to do is choose which one will serve best your preferences and interests.

Kasauli Luxury Hotels Offering The Best Deal To Travelers

Kasauli is a small historic hill station located in Himachal Pradesh that gained popularity during the peak of the British Empire in India. Kasauli appears to live in an enchanting time warp of its own. Kasauli rests at the foot of Himalayas and delivers the mesmerizing views of plains on one side and the majestic Himalayan peaks, which seems ready to be explored, on the other. Kasauli is a paradise on earth full of tranquil and serene trails, plush gardens, vibrant flowers and intoxicating fragrances. It has been attracting many tourists from all across the world and has become a fast growing and popular tourist destination. Many hotels have sprung up here in the last few years to cater to the needs of hundreds of tourists who visit this place every year. As a traveler, you need to explore and experience the hypnotic beauty and peacefulness of Kasauli to understand its lure. Kasauli Hotels offer a host of facilities and amenities for a wonderful, unforgettable, luxurious and fascinating stay such as

Home Away From Home
Kasauli Luxury Hotels envelop everyone into the soothing and relaxing ambience and pamper the guests to boundless magnitudes. They make their guests feel at home even if their stay is a short one only. Kasauli Luxury Hotels include all sorts of modern amenities and features such as well-appointed and fascinating rooms, travel desk, doctor on call, to the most basic ones like the telephone facilities, running hot and cold water, laundry facilities, etc. With an unmatched quality of room service, they leave no chance to satisfy their guests.

Food At Its Best
The best of Kasauli Luxury Hotels offer an unending range of mouthwatering delicacies to the guests. The guests can indulge their taste buds & enjoy lip-smacking dishes in the hotels dining area .They can indulge themselves & explore different local & continental dishes that are prepared using some of the best ingredients to satisfy each and every palate. The wide assortment includes the traditional and authentic delicacies of Kasauli and Shimla as well.

Recreational Facilities
Kasauli Luxury Hotels provide all possible assistance to their esteemed guests for t excursion and sightseeing purposes. A host of services such as the availability of cars on rent, cheap holiday tour packages and tour guides are offered by the hotels to their guests.

Corporate Tie Ups
Many of the Kasauli Luxury Hotels also cater to the corporate needs of their guests. Guests can hold meetings and conferences in the business center which is equipped with all the basic and important facilities such as Internet access, projectors, email or fax, etc.

If you also wish to spend a perfect relaxing vacation at Kasauli, then explore Winnies Holiday Inn Resort. It is an ultimate destination in the calm and soothing surroundings of Kasauli. Winnies Holiday Inn Resort attracts many tourists because of its heartwarming hospitality beyond the realms of imagination. The magnificent splendor of the resort is reflected in sophisticatedly designed interior. They offer the best accommodation with all the modern amenities and facilities like Bed tea & Breakfast, Laundry Service, 24 hour hot and cold water supply, Multi-cuisine A-lal-carte, Spacious car parking, STD calling etc. Visit the official website and explore the world of Winnies Holiday Inn Resort. Log on to http://www.winniesholiday.com/ and make your bookings right away.

Hostile Takeover At Popular Luxury Hotel For Beach Miami Holidays

One of the most sought after Miami hotels- the Setai South Beach has recently undergone an unusual management shake-up. The hotel, owned by Setai Owners LLC (a unit of Lehman Brothers) was managed by Singapore based firm General Hotel Management (GHM) until a hostile takeover on 31st March 2012 which saw GMH replaced by Trevi Luxury Hospitality Group a firm which specialises in luxury hotels and resorts.

GMH was ousted in a dramatic style, reminiscent of a something straight out of a film, with owners of the Setai South Beach arriving with armed guards at 2:30 am announcing the management change.

According to a press release from GMH, Representatives from Lehman Brothers arrived at the hotel with armed guards and off duty sheriff officers in uniform in the early morning hours on March 31st. They informed us that they were taking over the property and that General Hotel Management (GHM) was no longer welcome on the property. These actions took us by surprise, as we had no prior indication they were intending to do this, nor were we under the impression that they were unhappy with our performance. We had just achieved the second best financial performance year since the inception of the hotel, not an easy accomplishment in the current economic environment

The luxurious hotel has proven to be one of the most popular with travellers spending Miami holidays in South Beach. The Setai is currently ranked 14 out of 204 Miami Beach hotels on popular travel review website TripAdvisor. However, based on the information gathered following a request for arbitration at the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, Lehman Brothers claim that under the GMHs inefficient management the hotel was not as profitable at it should be claiming that GMH squandered $7.6 million in incremental profit.

The Setai South Beach boasts three swimming pools, a spa- perfect for unwinding after the shopping sprees that most travellers relish when booking holidays in Miami, guests can also enjoy a wide range of dining facilities as well as the picturesque landscaping echoing the serene minimalist Asian-inspired motif woven throughout the hotels decor.

A single nights stay at this lavish hotel in Miamis trendy South Beach can cost anywhere upwards of $725 USD. Given all that the hotel has to offer there is no doubt that despite the peculiar circumstances under which management changed hands, guests will continue to enjoy first class accommodation during their Miami holidays. Vice president of Lehman Brothers Holdings, Anthony Barsanti expressed optimism stating, We believe that under the right management, this property has limitless potential.