Skip to main content

Coming Soon: Possible Upgrades of Extended Stay, $1 Drink by McDonald’s, and 4G Mobile Networks

Image
By
Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal (MarketPlace) reported several pieces of hospitality and technology news that caught my attention. I feel these issues might have great impact to the hospitality industry.

1. Starwood and Extended Stay Chain were negotiating a deal. I used W Hotels by Starwood as an example for hotel design trend. I would like to see how Starwood may help Extended Stay turn around its business. Regarding the extended-stay segment, I tweeted an article by Inc.com about four great extended-stay hotel examples (http://bit.ly/bXWzUO). From the pictures of a guestroom in Vdara Hotel & Spa, Las Vegas, NV and a kitchen in Element by Westin, Lexington, MA, we can see the design trend for extended-stay hotels --- contemporary, light color, chic decors, etc. I feel it is time for the “old” extended-stay hotels to update their images. I will pay a close attention to the changes of this segment.

2. McDonald’s is going to offer $1 soft drinks for all sizes. Even though $1 seems a big cut, it still offers the restaurants good profit margin. More importantly, if consumers stop by McDonald’s for a drink, they may order a snack or even a meal. Other fast food brands and even soft drink companies will possibly feel the pressure. Will everyone follow McDonald’s move?

3. 3G brought us smart phones with a variety of apps and already have great impacts to consumers and operations. Sprint is introducing 4G service in selected markets. I have a Sprint cell phone. I look forward to the 4G experience and want to see what influences it will bring to us.

What are your thoughts?

References:
Inc.com (pictures were also copied from this site): http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok03192010-1
The Wall Street Journal (March 18, 2010): Extended Stay chain switches bedfellows (B1 & B2); Spring wagers on 4G phones (B1); McDonald’s bets pricing drinks at $1 will heat up summer sales (B6).
Labels:

Comments

  1. Linchi KwokMarch 19, 2010 at 1:57 PM

    Today, Extended Stay accepted Starwood's offer.

    http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/extended-stay-accepts-starwood-offer/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linchi KwokApril 6, 2010 at 10:40 AM

    Update on 04/06/2010:
    Extended Stay Battle Escalates; Centerbridge Matches Rival Bid

    http://on.wsj.com/9JlNq1

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linchi KwokMay 29, 2010 at 9:55 AM

    WSJ.com (May 29):

    Centerbridge Snares Extended Stay --- Hotel chain fatches nearly $4 billion; Competitive auction illustrates hunger for distressed assets (http://on.wsj.com/bvcSMw)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

By
Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society .   This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, w...
4 comments
Read more

In what ways will AI affect restaurant operations?

By
A new wave of industrial revolution is here --- AI (artificial intelligence) will change everything we do. Undoubtedly, AI can improve restaurant operations.     Menu Engineering and Quality Control    AI can provide insights into a restaurant’s menu offerings and pricing strategies based on consumer data and market trends. Restaurant owners can adjust the recipes/menu and price accordingly.     AI can help restaurants monitor food temperature, cleanliness, and safety procedures, ensuring they comply with health and safety regulations. For example, AI can remind a sushi chef to replace a sushi plate that has been “sitting” on the conveyor belt for too long with a more popular item.     Consumer Experience   AI can help restaurants create location-based, personalized marketing campaigns to reach specific and targeted customers at the right time. Then, AI-empowered chatbots, reservation, and table management systems can help restaurants an...
18 comments
Read more

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

By
Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P
30 comments
Read more