Hotel Blogs - When Hotel Marketing gets Social

PR companies, please read this...(or not if you don't understand rules)

I can't believe how much nothing has changed since my latest rant on PR companies exactly a year ago.

I am still receiving endless and boring emails giving me the news - if we call this "news" - that this partnership has been formed and this hotel has upgraded their rooms with plasma screens and this hotel chain has opened its Xth hotel in the Asia.

I mean how much more could I cope with?

The problem is my inbox is also full of interesting stuff like entrepreneurs introducing their venture or what next killing app will come out in the online travel world or questions about how companies could sponsor Hotel Blogs. But I only get to answer them when I got rid of all the junk.

Also it looks like key leading blogs has also some issues with PR, read the latest rant from Robin Waters from Techcrunch about the 10 words you should ban in press releases.

So here's the conclusion of all this mess and actions I will take forward from now on.

Rule #1: if you drop me an email with no header personalization (meaning the beginning of your email doesn't start with my first name or last name), this goes straight to the bin

Rule #2: if you send me more than 2 PR per month (regardless of how many companies you represent, your email address is getting straight to my spam list (so that I don't see anymore of your emails on my email inbox) and guess what I can already name offenders on that rule

Rule #3: if you email start by "For immediate release", I won't read it further and this will go again straight to my bin. Again on that one, I would say 90% of PR email have this pointless header on the beginnig of their email.

And finally... if you break the 3 rules in one go, not only I would put your email on my spam list but I will make sure your company feature on the blacklist published on these columns.

The competition starts now...Bring it on...

Disclaimer: I do have good relationship with a few PR companies who are inventive, creative and know how to work with bloggers. So this post if not targetted at them. And in no circumstances do I want to offend the PR industry and those persons who do their job brilliantly.

Press Release - CitizenM hotels wins The European Hotel Design Award of the Year!

The European Hotel Design Awards, presented by Sleeper Magazine on Thursday, 6 November 2008, is the premier celebration of outstanding innovations in the hospitality industry and hotel design in Europe.

"This was perhaps the most hotly contested decision I have seen the judging panel have to make in the six years I have been involved in these awards. But I think it is fair to say that the eventual winner is a hotel that stood out from the competition in all aspects of its conception. Not just it's design and architecture, but also its use of technology, it's marketing, its future development potential and most importantly, the seamless integration of all these into a product that offers the guest a rewarding experience. The winning project was acknowledged by the panel to be a radically new hotel concept that will have considerable influence on others in the industry for years to come." Says Matt Turner, editor in chief Sleeper Magazine.

The Dutch hotel group citizenM hotels has won the grand prize:

The European Hotel Design Award of the Year and three awards in the categories:

THE INNOVATION AWARD

"The judges looked at the added value for the guest, the  concept design, various use within the hotel, the building, the property, guest experience, use of information database, to check out and unanimously award the hotel who has accomplished to achieve this within all aspects of a hotel." Ahmed Akudi, International Projects Director, Grohe AG

THE TECHNOLOGY AWARD

"...  We've seen moving facades.  The innovation of this hotel gives a scope and a degree of innovation... There's one clear winner.. citizenM hotels!" Guy Dittrich, journalist.

THE GRAPHIC DESIGN AWARD

"The art within hotel design illustrates a choice, a brand, an unique website, an experience recognisable through website, brochures and overall decor..." Juliet Kinsman, editor in chief, Mr & Mrs Smith.

citizenM hotels, which opened their first property in June at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, was also among the four finalists for awards in the categories:

Best Architecture (Newbuild)

Best Interior Design (Standard Branded Guestroom)

”We are thrilled by the recognition of the European Hotel Design Awards jury. Our team and partners worked hard to create an innovative, contemporary hotel for the cost conscious traveller. We looked at every business process to enhance and improve the stay of a guest in our hotels. The result citizenM hotels has made is a quantum leap in innovation, which now is prestigiously recognised by hotel industry professionals from all over the world.” says Michael Levie, CEO citizenM hotels.

The European Hotel Design Awards recognise the ambitious work of architects, designers, developers and hotel owners across 18 different categories. Judged by an international panel of leading hospitality experts and journalists, the European Hotel Design Awards is one of the most renowned events in the lifestyle travel industry of the world.

Press Release - The best way to relax when travelling? Cuddle up and watch a movie!

When it comes to chilling out, research shows in-room entertainment is the most relaxing activity to undertake in a hotel room, with 71% of guests rating it higher than a restaurant meal or a luxurious bubble bath. 

Not only is switching on the TV considered the best way to unwind– but it is also deemed to be the biggest away-from-home indulgence,  with 34% of those surveyed saying watching a movie in bed in a hotel is the thing we most enjoy as we can’t or don’t do it at home.

When watching movies, there is no better place than the comfort of our hotel beds.  We are a nation of snugglers, with 38% of respondents choosing to curl up under the duvet.  More than a quarter of respondents climb on top of the bed to enjoy our viewing – and 14% of us enjoy eating our way through the film.   

These findings come from a report recently commissioned by Filmbank - the leading distributor of Hollywood movies to the hotel industry - and Opinions takes a look at the hotel room habits of business and  leisure travellers (1).

45% of guests are technology “snobs” – with the quality of the TV and entertainment system having a direct link to our impression of the hotel room, third only after the quality of the bed linen and the bathroom goodies.  And 37% of techno-savvy respondents say access to the latest programming and in-room entertainment are key drivers when booking a hotel in the first place!

In fact, 35% of leisure travellers said that they would like to watch the very latest cinema releases in their hotel room.  However, 79% of leisure hotel guests don’t realise that many hotels provide “early window” movies (i.e. movies screened after their cinema release but before they are released on DVD or on pay-TV).   After the cinema a hotel is the next place to see blockbusters like the Dark Knight or Quantum of Solace.

The research has also revealed that although we are a nation of movie lovers with 90% of us watch movies in everyday life, the way we watch movies is changing.  A third of us now expect our hotel-room movie watching experience to emulate our at home one – with guests expecting to be able to stop and start movies.

Luckily, many hotels now offer dip-in TV, so movies can be paused, rewound and picked up again as and when it’s wanted – often from the comfort of the hotel room bed.

(1) Research carried out by Filmbank Distribution Limited and Opinion Matters in October 2008.  Sample size - 2920.

Press Release - Buddha Bar Hotel & Spa selects Panama City as next location

For almost one hundred years, The Panama Canal has served to connect the East to the West; now, Buddha-Bar – the unique concept that has become an international phenomenon, is set to accomplish the same goal. With their first Oriental inspired Luxury Hotel in the Americas set to open in fast growing Panama City, Buddha-Bar will expand on their vision, bringing a sumptuous hotel, restaurant and spa to this thriving metropolis. As seen with their monster success in Paris, Buddha-Bar creates an exotic journey that includes eclectic design, hypnotizing music, and magical food mixing the boldness of Asian flavors with the delicacies of France. The combination results in an incomparable escape from the everyday world, bringing elite guests back over and over again. The unique group will open their first hotel in Prague this summer.

With more than 10 years of experience that began in Paris and expanded to cities like London, Cairo, Beirut, and Dubai, Buddha-Bar uses their “East meets west” sensibility to create celebrity-filled hot-spots wherever they go. Employing original music that carries a worldwide cult-following, and exotic Pacific-Rim food, these pioneers created the concept of “eatertainment”. Buddha-Bar Hotel & Spa leverages its unique vision and extensive experience catering to the most sophisticated clientele to create “see and be seen” exclusive locations that offer glamorous, avant-garde yet peaceful and private lodging alongside an indulgent Zen spa replicating their celebrated creation in Evian, France.

This privileged hotel will be located in the heart of Panama City, featuring full service suites with cozy and contemporary Asian interiors, an iconic restaurant, and their internationally acclaimed spa. Guests will enjoy the glamour and elegance of a 5-star hotel and unparalleled customer service that defines Buddha-Bar’s philosophy. Visitors to the hotel, spa, and restaurant will be immersed in the enigmatic atmosphere that Buddha-Bar is known for worldwide. Residents and tourists of Panama City will be overjoyed to finally have a sophisticated scene for evenings out that compares to the rest of the world’s top cities.

Buddha-Bar Hotel & Spa Panama arrives in collaboration with the Revat Group. The company was founded by a group of top international professionals with the goal of developing superior branded properties in fast growing markets. Revat brings to the table more than 100 years combined professional experience and an ultra premium intercontinental network, as well as international hotel experience. Revat and its affiliate Hera Capital have worked with top international hospitality brands in markets like Aruba, Spain, US, Turkey, UAE, and now Panama.

Panama is rapidly becoming the center of business in the heart of the Americas, and is currently experiencing amazing economic growth comparable to places like Dubai. The country’s quality of living, cosmopolitan allure, top financial services, ideal climate, varied landscapes, biodiversity, a dollarized economy, and ever expanding airline hub attracts more and more tourists, which explains why investors from around the world continue to invest billions of dollars in this country.

All of these ingredients make Buddha Bar Hotel & Spa Panama the new hot spot not only for those visiting this incredible, budding metropolis, but for the upper-echelon of Panama who can finally enjoy one of the world’s most exclusive and distinguished brands in their own country.

For more information, visit: www.buddhabarpanama.com

Press Release - Hyatt Travel Quiz

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts today unveiled a first-of-its-kind travel personality quiz to help individuals identify their travel temperaments and test their travel companion compatibility. Participants who complete the quiz before Nov. 7 and prove to be a match with reality television stars Trista and Ryan Sutter will be entered for a chance to win a Hyatt Retreats getaway with the celebrity couple to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa.

The Hyatt Travel Quiz at www.hyatttravelquiz.com asks 12 questions adapted from an established personality test, and categorizes participants into four travel types: Romantic, Balanced, Energetic and Driven. The results offer tips on how to relate to different travel personalities, along with suggested Hyatt Retreats packages and destinations based on the personalized travel profile. The quiz is also available as a shared application on the social networking site Facebook.com.

The content is based upon a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. Hyatt created the quiz in conjunction with its global limited-time offer in which travelers receive a $50 USD credit toward dining, golf, spa activities and more when booking a two-night Hyatt Retreats weekend package using their American Express^® Card, and completing the trip before Dec. 28, 2008.

“This quiz is a unique and creative way for Americans to consider how their travel temperament may impact their travel experiences—and companions,” said Nick White, director of partner marketing, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “While the quiz content is based on robust psychological theory, we tried to keep it fun and succinct. We hope participants will find the results both enlightening and inspiring.” The Hyatt Travel Quiz identified the Sutters, who became a beloved American couple after meeting on ABC’s popular reality television show, “The Bachelorette,” as Romantic Travelers. Quiz participants who also prove to be Romantic Travelers will be eligible to win a three-day, two-night trip to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, located along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, courtesy of Hyatt and American Express.*

Whatever mood strikes, Hyatt Retreats packages including Amour, Balance, Awaken and Explore present a solution, accentuating the special offerings and distinct location of each participating Hyatt hotel in more than 40 countries.

• Amour packages focus on      romance and reconnection. Hyatt provides unforgettable settings and      romantic amenities for opportunities to reconnect. 
• Balance packages are      designed for wellness, renewal and relaxation. Escape the everyday with a      few days to relax and rejuvenate.
• Awaken packages extend      leisure moments. These retreats feature freshly prepared breakfast for two      on guests’ own schedules—thanks to late check-out (based on availability).     
• Explore packages offer      site-specific adventures of local discovery. Designed around each hotel’s      particular location and cultural setting, these packages allow guests to      experience authentic local life at its best.

Hyatt Retreats packages are available at all Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency-branded hotels and resorts worldwide and may be reserved by calling 1-800-233-1234 or visiting hyattretreats.com.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Starts 10/15/08. Ends 11/7/08. Restrictions apply. Visit hyatttravelquiz.com for Official Rules & complete details.