From The Simple To The Swash

As I sit in my office in mid-August, hot news crossing the wire services has slowed considerably. Europe and America are on vacation, the deal pace has been muted for a brief moment by an unsteady credit market and it is the best time of the year, at least here in the Chicago area, to have some fun.

By Jeff Weinstein, Editor in Chief -- HOTELS Magazine, 9/1/2007

AS I SIT IN MY OFFICE IN MID-AUGUST, hot news crossing the wire services has slowed considerably. Europe and America are on vacation, the deal pace has been muted for a brief moment by an unsteady credit market and it is the best time of the year, at least here in the Chicago area, to have some fun. So I am here to present some fun ideas and muse a bit about the fall and yet another fast-approaching New Year. With apologies in advance to my friend Peter Simoncelli, general manager of the Westin River North in Chicago, I have to start with one of my favorite fun stories of the year, the Brondell Swash 800. What is the Swash 800, you ask? Well, it is nothing less than a state-of-the-art toilet with technology that includes a warm seat, front and rear washing jets and an air drier. Temperature and water pressure are adjustable via remote control. I know we are in an era of in-room amenity creep that drives some franchisees to drink, but this is the ultimate luxury. What makes the story even better is that the test toilet is getting rave reviews from guests, according to Simoncelli, and it could be rolled out in more rooms.

Let me switch from the wonders of high tech to the simplest of ideas, and whoever thought of it deserves a bonus. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Georgia, is helping guests get organized for the journey home by providing customized one-quart, clear, zip-top bags as the last night’s turndown amenity. Security here requires all carry-on cosmetics and toiletries be visible in this exact size tote. How perfect is this? This is the essence of great customer service and it is so simple. Bravo to whomever came to the team meeting with this idea. Looking forward, a trend that bears watching is medi-tourism and medi-hotels. The lead story in our Global Update this month addresses this topic with our top contributor Mary Scoviak looking at hotels that go way beyond a spa by partnering with wellness institutes, leading clinics and medical specialists to become “cure hotels.” These are one-stop solution for a broad market of perma-youthers seeking anti-aging therapies or cosmetic surgery, stressed-out workers who want to relax and people who want to preserve or improve their health with preventive and diagnostic sessions offered by a team of specialists. Not only does it potentially increase market share, but it creates an entirely new revenue stream in a world where “what have you done for me lately” has become the norm.

Thayer Lodging Group, Annapolis, Maryland, just announced the appointment of a director of wellness to develop innovative wellness ideas such as healthy menus, spa packages as well as environmentally safe products at each hotel. In addition, the company has implemented allergy-friendly guest accommodations at 10 hotels and 99.9% allergenic-free meeting facilities at four executive meeting centers and conference centers.

Just stop and think about the daily newscast, the greater amount of stress we all face and the medi-hotel sounds like a great concept. Marriott is showing pretty good returns and plans to grow its Renaissance ClubSport concept that includes a full-service sports club, a vibrant bar and restaurant, as well as a rejuvenating day spa all under one roof. The medi-hotel can take it one step further, especially if every room includes the Brondell Swash 800. Now I have to give them a plug, so if you want to see it for yourself, go to www.brondell.com.

Jeff Weinstein, Editor In Chief