Monday, April 11, 2016

Free For All: Staff-Approved Hotel Giveaways

Ask and you shall receive. This is particularly true in asking for freebies while checked-in at a hotel. Gone are the days when guests snuck in their bottles of shampoo and bubble bath in their luggage. It is better to be straightforward about wanting to take home hotel giveaway.

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 Image source: Travelsort.com

After all, these travel-sized goodies can be used for other purposes. Aside from the items on the tables or on the bathroom counter, a hotel may have more stuff that they could give their guests for free. Here are some items that guests can ask for when they’re checked-in at a hotel:

1. Magazines and newspapers A guest can ask for the day’s paper and perhaps a fashion magazine from a publishing company with which the hotel has a partnership. In fact, guests can select from a range of publications that they can bring along. Some of the magazines could be helpful for travelers who want to explore a foreign city as there could be event listings inside.

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 Image source: Garciamedia.com

2. Fruits and snacks- Some hotels offer fruit like apples and pocket-sized snacks that their guests can munch on. Entirely separate item from the mini-bar, more complimentary peanuts, raisins, or chips can be supplied by the friendly housekeeping staff. Independent and boutique hotels may also offer other snacks such as biscuits and cookies to please their guests.

3. Laundry bags- Not only are these bags sturdy, they can also be used multiple times especially if the guest does a lot of traveling. It is good to have a laundry bag inside a luggage as it helps in keeping some items separate.

4. Sewing kits- Every person needs to have this inside their bag. Who knows when a clothing emergency will happen? Having a small, pocket-sized sewing kit will help survive fashion disasters such as missing buttons or ripped sleeves.

Guests can ask for extra items before they checkout or when housekeeping drops by the room to clean up. Though hotel staff will gladly give the stuff for free, it is still polite to tip these people who make a guest’s accommodation worth the time and money.

Top Caribbean Hotelier John Jefferis is the chairman and sole shareholder of the Palm Reed Hotel Development Company Limited and the Island Resorts International Limited. A veteran hotel manager, he is also the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious recognitions Caribbean Hotelier of the Year in 1990 and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. Visit this blog for more information about Mr. Jefferis’ career.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Fully Booked: Work Stability in the Hotel Industry

The hospitality management industry thrives. There are a lot of worldwide events that bring in guests, regardless of the season. From business functions to parties, the rooms and services of a hotel are always needed. Hotel management then requires the efforts of employees who are selfless and committed to serving guests. Jobs in this industry also offer a lot of rewards, especially for the faithful workers.

There is always a market for a place to stay. There is always a backpacker, a businessman or a couple on a honeymoon who need accommodations. And there must be a workforce to ensure that these guests feel at home and get VIP treatment. Hotel staff then should cater to the satisfaction of their guests, even in little details like a dish on the buffet or the temperature of the swimming pool.

 
Image source: Jobsearch.about.com

Employees in hospitality management who want to get promoted must start with serving guests, as this is the core task of the business. There’s always a new way of serving customers better. Especially in the era of social media, it’s easier to get feedback and to devise ways of knowing what patrons want.

Image source: Hotelschool.co.za

With new information coming in, hotels must capitalize on novelty that people will enjoy. In this results-oriented job, the career growth of employees can be easily tracked. There’s always an area for improvement when it comes to hotel work but the upside of it is that there’s always an opportunity to excel.

Known as one of the most influential hoteliers in the Caribbean, John Jefferis lives to see guests enjoying the luxurious facilities in his hotels and resorts. Get to know more about the hospitality industry on this page.