Hotel Operations

🏨 Seasonal staffing in hotels involves hiring temporary workers during peak demand periods like summer or ski season. This ensures top-notch service when guest numbers spike, controls labor costs, and reduces burnout among full-time staff. However, challenges such as last-minute hiring stress and managing quality persist. Best practices include early recruitment, streamlined onboarding, and flexible cross-training. Tools like Mews' property management system aid in forecasting needs and simplifying operations.

📰 Andrew Arthurs, President and COO at Actabl, shares insights on career acceleration in hospitality by focusing on problem-solving over technology. As a former CIO, he emphasizes starting with the right questions to unlock opportunities and scale solutions. His approach aids in driving value and fostering career growth. For more insights, listen to the full episode and implement the strategies to enhance your business.

📈 Last week, a post on LinkedIn highlighted key business concerns for 2026: technology won't save your business without focusing on people; culture should be a strategic priority; and budgets must prioritize training, leadership, and cultural transformation. Engagement was high on ideas, but when asked about commitment and budgets, only three comments addressed accountability versus seven for technology and 20-30 for luxury topics. The industry faces repeated challenges by prioritizing convenience over meaningful action.

🏨 Hotel Equities will manage the 182-room Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina located in Atlanta, Georgia. This marks the first Hyatt Regency in their portfolio. Situated in the Perimeter Center district, this hotel offers a rooftop pool, three dining options, and event spaces. It is close to major corporate offices like Cox and Mercedes-Benz. Currently, Hotel Equities operates 13 hotels in Georgia, strengthening its presence in the state.

📈 Andrew Arthurs, President and COO of Actabl, discusses labor cost management in hospitality on a podcast. In October 2025, Arthurs emphasizes enhancing labor efficiency using cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making. Two key articles by Arthurs address the industry's talent crisis and strategies for talent retention. For more insights, visit Hotel Effectiveness by Actabl or subscribe to Hospitality Daily for summaries and actionable insights from each episode.

💻 Andrew, in the hospitality industry, emphasizes the importance of networking and relationship-building for career growth. He notes the "network effect," which brings value to companies like Actabl through deep-rooted professional connections. Andrew compares Aimbridge's role in developing hospitality leaders to the "PayPal mafia" effect. He stresses the need to give back and nurture these connections, as demonstrated by leaders like Geoffrey Ballotti, CEO of Wyndham. This approach aids in identifying and fostering talent across the industry.

📚 Over a weekend stay at a luxury hotel in Australia, the guest experiences were hindered by transactional staff interactions. Behavioral economics, such as Kahneman’s “peak-end rule,” highlights the impact of emotional moments. STR notes top 20% hotels earn 7-15% ADR premiums, while HBR mentions a 5% retention lift boosts profits 25-45%. Cornell states 95% guest satisfaction is staff-driven. Hospitality leaders are encouraged to train staff for emotional cues, storytelling, and customer delight for enhanced guest experience.

📅 Shoulder season strategies for luxury resorts: create meaningful midweek events (e.g., chef residencies, wellness immersions) and engineer a 6-9 month “reasons-to-travel” program. Engage locals through memberships and protect average daily rates by adding value, not cutting prices. Design for longer stays and sell the sense of place. Make direct bookings a habit with exclusive offers and leverage AI tools for targeted marketing. For more insights, comment “SHOULDER” to receive a detailed guide.

Luxury as a Discipline 📖 Repetition and discipline are key to luxury, akin to athletes like Michael Phelps, who trained 6 hours daily for 5 years. Luxury hotel staff often lack training, with many spending just 2 hours on sessions, leading to subpar service. Excellence demands more: weeks of practice, role-play, and study. Without sustained effort, expecting elite results is unrealistic. For 2026, focus on rigorous training to truly embody luxury.

🏨 Personalized service, flawless first impressions, exceptional room experience, food & beverage excellence, and emotional connection are key for guest satisfaction in luxury hotels. Anticipate needs using guest data, ensure pristine cleanliness, and provide luxury amenities. Facilities should include spas and exclusive experiences. Consistency across touchpoints is vital, measured by surveys and Net Promoter Scores. Effective problem handling and training are essential. The success formula: Anticipation + Personalization + Consistency + Emotional Connection.