Challenges To Hotel Companies (Part 2)

I do not think that there are to many brands. I feel that it is better to be able to have the choice to pick the hotel that bests fits your needs rather than a cookie cutter hotel that tries to meet most peoples needs.

"separating the chaff from the grain"??? methinks the phrase is just another cleverer way of branding "bankruptcy"!!

There are too many brands and as an operator of a new brand I am noticing the increasing confusion amongst hotel owners in their franchise selections. Your follow up point regarding over supply of hotel rooms in America is also very relevant. Another brand that was moth balled and recently revived is Budgetel. One distinction that must be pointed out, however, regarding some of the "

There are too many Brands and as an operator of a "

Too many brands, yes, I had such a tough time before I bought cloth bags when they asked me whether I wanted paper or plastic. We are making ourselves crazier with brands, branding, choices and I think this economy will help separate the chaff from the grain. ( Whatever that means!)

There are few genuine 'brands', but an abundance of hotel names. Most 'brands' lack any true identity, which leads to the problem of consumers being unable to distinguish between them. For example (and Michael won't like this!)...to me there is no real 'brand' distinction between a Hyatt Regency and a Grand Hyatt. Nor do I see any real distinction between a Marriott and a Renaissance for example. In short, hotels are not great at creating genuine brands that resonate with consumers. That is not to say however that the likes of Starwood, Marriott, Hilton, IHG etc. should not operate with multi-brand strategies as, when the brands are well defined and executed, they can add a great deal of value to the development community.

Franchise company introduced brands to avoid impact study to existing contract conflict. Then they get too creative with designers brand etc. The matter is does the brand big enough to achieve the minimum size to support and service the infrastructure promised to the owner and guest?

Suites brand. The limited-service Wingate Inn brand was folded into the Wyndham brand and renamed Wingate by Wyndham. The company is in the processing of phasing out the limited-service Ramada Limited tier.

Wyndham Worldwide folded its Villager extended-stay brand into its budget Knights Inn and its limited-service AmeriHost Inn brand into the limited-service Baymont Inn &

Kudos to U Michael!!! Be it hotels, autos, appliances or deoderants the manufacturers and suppliers have all bought way too far into "consumer choice"!!! In these recessionary times the consumer is now looking for fewer differentials but is eyeing more the old GOOD - BETTER - BEST scenarios at a VERY GOOD $$ VALUE. The suppliers that reign in their product line and concentrate on "core value $$" delivery will shed a lot of overhead and expense and be able to deliver a real value - an easly understood product at a great price point. My prediction (unpopular as it may be) - this recession could go on for several years and those that simplify their business, cut costs and provide clear differation will be the ones who survive with the consumer be it hotel rooms or widgets!!! Nobody asked but I say the mantra now should be simplification and clear differation at good value points not the mantra of "consumer choice" to ad-nauseum and minute product differations.

I think that Best Western has the right approach - a single brand that consumers understand. With so many brands coming on line, it is giving strength to the independent hotel sector - and with the increasing Internet channel (for consumers to acess reviews and property information), consumers just don't need to rely on a brand for a guarantee of quality.

Of course there are way too many hotel brands, but don't expect that to change anytime soon. What (if any) incentive would the franchisor have for limiting their reach? As an analogy, why worry about menu size if you don't have to pay for the food cost?