Hotel Myths

What’s the latest myth you’ve heard about hotels?  For example, one common myth is that all of your personal information is stored on those electronic room key cards you’re given.  It’s not true but it’s one of many myths that hotels just can’t seem to shake.

Another myth is that all name brand hotels have the same type of room.  This is not true.  Each room in a hotel has structural differences which means the room may have small differences, different views, yet they come with the same price tag attached.  Why would a hotel try and say otherwise?  They may be hoping a guest will overlook a bad room.  There may be rooms for instance that are smaller because they’re being cut off by the elevator shaft.

Even though it might be nice to think otherwise, telling the hotel staff that you’re on your honeymoon will not automatically result in receiving a nicer room upgrade.  Sure, it may try and make your stay that much better, but there’s no guarantee it will happen.

Lastly, it is not necessarily a better deal to book directly with a hotel than with an online travel agency.  Hotels are legally required not to undersell travel agencies yet hotels often allow these agencies to undercut them despite the agreements in place.  True, hotels are beginning to offer more incentives to encourage guests to book directly, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a better deal over an agency.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

Will Robots Replace Human Concierge?

Concierge is a standard feature at just about any upscale hotel or condominium.  Someone is always available to speak to should you wish to perhaps book a flight, reserve a limo, or make reservations at the local dining hotspot everyone’s been talking about.  Usually, when you’re doing this, you’re speaking to a human, but have you ever heard of a robot concierge?  That’s where one hotel is taking a unique approach.

Over at the Hilton Hotel in McLean Virginia, the concierge isn’t human at all.  She is a robot that goes by the name of Connie, named after the Hilton chain’s founder Conrad Hilton.  The two and a half foot tall robot will happily respond to dozens of questions you may need answers to, allowing the front desk to concentrate on other matters instead of having to answer common questions asked by numerous guests.

Connie is able to respond to natural language questions and is even capable of understanding multiple languages beyond English.  To enhance understanding, the robot can also move its head and limbs to make gestures.  For the time being, Connie is limited solely to this Virginia hotel, but depending on how well she performs, it could mean that robots will eventually be the ones making those reservations or taking care of room service requests for you instead of a human being.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

Jamaica’s Jewel Dunn's River Resort

For our final project spotlight of the week, we’re packing our bags, grabbing our essential beach gear and setting off to the Caribbean island of Jamaica.  The Jewel Dunn's River Resort in Ocho Rios is one of several belonging to Jewel Resorts.  In the case of the Jewel Dunn's River Resort, it is recognized as being all-inclusive and maintains the same exclusive ‘Jewel Only’ features that have made the resorts among the finest lodging and vacation experiences.

The Jewel Dunn's River Resort is exclusively for adults and is located near Jamaica’s best sights, including Dunn’s River Falls.  Guests will enjoy a spectacular experience that includes just about everything necessary to complement the wonder, beauty, and hospitality of the island of Jamaica.  Dine casually or in a sophisticated ambiance complete with white-glove service, have a snack at any time of day, enjoy entertainment on a nightly basis, or stay active in the fitness center.  Guests will also find an 18-hole golf course, a selection of local and branded liquors, water sports, and much more.

Accommodations are aplenty at the Jewel Dunn's River Resort.  Guests can choose from a Premier Guest Room, the Sapphire Mountain View Guest Room, the Emerald Lanai Guest Room, the Sapphire Ocean View Guest Room, and many more.

The Jewel Dunn's River Resort has received numerous awards and accolades including Expedia’s “Best of VIP Access” for two consecutive years.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

San Antonio’s Marriott RiverCenter

Pack your bags, everyone!  Today we’re heading to the metropolis of San Antonio, Texas to take a look at another one of the projects we’ve worked on, in this case, the Marriott RiverCenter.  Located next to the beautifully scenic River Walk, the 38-story building is ideally situated near some of the finest dining, shopping, and entertainment in the city as well as many attractions.  The San Antonio Zoo, Sea World, and even the historically revered Alamo are among the places guests will be able to visit at this hotel rated nearly five stars.

The Marriott RiverCenter features a fusion of high-end rooms and luxurious suites that uphold the high standards of the Marriott brand.  Focusing heavily on ensuring that guests enjoy a relaxing experience, these rooms and suites feature amenities and conveniences like high-speed Internet access, LCD television sets, premium cable, and the Marriott's Plug-In Technology.  Other features include a swimming pool, event space, a fitness center, and more.

Speaking of event space, Marriott RiverCenter won the 2014 Meetings & Conventions Magazine Gold Key & Gold Platter Award and has also been singled out as a Cvent Top 100 Hotel during the same year.

Marriott RiverCenter is located at 101 Bowie Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205.  It is ideal for families and couples and is also perfect for a leisure or weekend stay.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

The Historic Hotel Duval

We’re packing our bags for a trip to the Florida state capital of Tallahassee and taking a look at the Hotel Duval.  As the city’s first boutique hotel experience, the Hotel Duval is known for its perfect fusion of mixing business with pleasure and is designed to feel more like a home than a hotel.  It is also part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, an exclusive group of boutique hotels known for their innovation and style.

The Hotel Duval’s history dates all the way back to the 1950s when it was then called the Duval Hotel and was considered the place to be in Tallahassee.  Florida legislators often gathered at the hotel to discuss the state’s future and make important deals.  The hotel received an extensive renovation in 2009 focusing largely on its interior design.

The modern version of the Hotel Duval has features like more than 6,000 square feet of function space that can accommodate as little as ten people or as many as 200.  The rooms are equipped with modern technology and there is a catering and sales staff available.  Other features include the street level LeRoc Bistro cafe offering a breakfast and lunch menu, the Shula’s 347 Grill, and the Level 8 Lounge, located on the rooftop.

The Hotel Duval is located at 415 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

Spotlight: Element Omaha Midtown Crossing

Continuing our showcase of some of the projects we’ve previously worked on, today we’re shifting the focus over to the Element Omaha Midtown Crossing in Nebraska.  Located a mere two miles from TD Ameritrade Park and positioned next door to the offices of Mutual of Omaha, the hotel provides a perfect position near these places as well as the varied shopping, entertainment, and dining establishments located at Midtown Crossing at Turner Park.

Each of the Element Omaha Midtown Crossing rooms are designed to emphasize space and come with features like fully-equipped kitchens. Guests will also enjoy the convenience of fast, complimentary Wi-Fi, open areas that are ideal for corporate travelers or families, and much more.  The Breakfast Bar is complimentary while the Evening Reception is great for a fun night socializing and having drinks with friends, family, or fellow hotel guests.

Other features at Element Omaha Midtown Crossing include a gourmet pantry, a fitness center open at all hours of the day, a business center, and bikes to explore the city.  The hotel also prides itself on being environmentally friendly.  As for the event spaces, they provide over 950 square feet and also come with 50” television sets.

Element Omaha Midtown Crossing’s address is 3253 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68131.  To book a stay or for more information on the hotel, call 402-614-8080.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

All about the Omni Tucson National Resort

Today we’re taking a trip from Dallas to Tucson, Arizona and taking a look at the Omni Tucson National Resort.  Located near the Santa Catalina Mountains foothills, the resort is near one of the best golf courses in the city of Tucson. In fact, the resort has played host to various PGA Tour events with golf legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus having made appearances at some point.  The resort is a fusion of recreation and beauty and provides truly spectacular vistas of the mountains.

Among the many highlights of Omni Tucson National Resort are the spa treatment rooms where guests can relax and enjoy an array of services designed to keep the body, mind, and spirit rejuvenated.  Guests can choose entire packages or individual treatments that include facials, massages, body treatments, and more within a facility that spans over 11,000 square feet.  Guests can also receive a pass to the resort’s Sweetwater pool that includes snacks and beverages plus cabana rentals.

While golfing may be the Omni Tucson National Resort’s “piece de resistance”, it also has an illuminated sports complex with a quartet of tennis courts and a range of classes for players of all skill levels.  Other amenities include meeting spaces plus various dining establishments nearby.

Omni Tucson National Resort is located at 2727 West Club Drive, Tucson, Arizona 85742.  The phone number is 520-297-2271.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

Why A Renovation Project Can Fail

Recently, there has been an increase in hotel visits, mainly because the business travel culture is gaining traction and more individuals are choosing to go on vacations, and as a result, some establishments have found themselves caught unprepared for the sudden influx of patrons.  Additionally, some of the owners that have decided to prepare for this great turn of events, have found that while they were prepared for visitors, they weren’t prepared for what that mean for the hotel building.  Owners and managers of hotels must be aware of the factors that can cause a potential profitable renovation into a disaster.  Below are a few things that hotel proprietors should be aware of when undergoing a hotel renovation.

Hint #1: Always hire the right people – Renovation and remodeling projects are expensive and complex.  Hiring unprofessional or unqualified individuals can be detrimental to an upgrade plan, costing the owner thousands, sometimes-even millions, of dollars, in revenue.  It is important to ensure that the people hired to complete a project are certified and professionals in the task they were contacted to complete.

Hint #2: Understand trends and target market likes – One big mistake owners make when outlining a renovation or remodel project, is not fully understanding the target market they are going for.  Even if the target market is being updated or re-evaluated, it is highly important to research what that particular market likes in a vacation destination.  Not knowing this valuable information is not only a costly mistake, but also is a discourtesy to all current and future guests of the establishment.

Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management has brought this update to you.  To find out more information on the hospitality renovation services available, contact them at (214) 295-3570 or click here to email them.

Top Ranking CRM Systems in the Hospitality Industry

CRM Software is extremely important.  Having the incorrect software can cost a company a huge amount of money and loss of valuable employee work time.  Despite this, some businesses still put a relatively low value on implementing the correct CRM systems.  Jaguar Hospitality, experts at hospitality project management has reviewed a few of the CRM software that is currently available to establishments in the hospitality industry.

Salesforce.com – With capabilities including, sales management, marketing automation, partner relationship management, and customer service, this software is one of the leaders in on-demand customer relationship management.  By offering a wide range of CRM applications to small, mid-market and enterprise organizations, the company has managed to come out on top in customer service and sales.

Infusionsoft – This software offers online sales and marketing solutions solely to small businesses.  Featuring lead generation tools, marketing automation, email and social media tools all aimed at converting leads into actual sales, this company is perfect for an entrepreneur just starting out.

TeamSupport – Utilizing one of the top conditions for a successful customer support team, teamwork, this program is designed to help teams work together more efficiently and effectively.  By eliminating miscommunications, improving customer communication, and providing a platform to address client issues quickly, this software is perfect for businesses that have a huge focus on teamwork and customer service.

Jaguar Hospitality offers the best in luxury hospitality renovations and solutions like capital management, FF&E and OS&E procurement, and 24/7 reporting, in order to help hotels maintain their profits and keep their guests happy.  To learn more contact us at (214) 295-3570 or click here to email us.

Tips on Hotel Re-branding

The re-branding process is quite overwhelming if not done correctly.  The planning, strategizing, and marketing stages can be complex, but there are important to complete an effective and efficient rebranding campaign.  The most significant thing that hotel owners must remember is the campaign needs to include the associates running the hotel and communicate how the new hotel will make the guests and patrons feel.  Additionally rebranding the hotel is a wonderful way to rejuvenate sales and upgrade the way the hotel is seen.  Jaguar Hospitality, leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management, has employed the expertise of their associates to bring some tips and ideas that can help to accurately rebrand a hotel for maximum results.

The first step is the most obvious but probably the hardest.  Before a hotel can be rebranded, all instances of the old brand need to be removed.  Have old signage thrown away, ensure the previous name is gone from all marketing and office materials, change the website and website address to the new name, and cease associates from using all of the old promotional materials.  Some of these ideas may seem extreme, but it is essential for the rebrand campaign to work.

Although it is a fact, rebranding does not work for every business, as the rebranding campaign is different for every situation.  There are things hotel owners and managers can do that will significantly higher their chances that their campaign will be a success.  One of these things is be prepared for an initial drop in profits, which can be helped by considering closing the hotel temporarily.  While there will not be any more booking sales, a break can help balance the finances, meaning the limited daily upkeep costs will be significantly lower, offsetting the lower booking sales.


Jaguar Hospitality brought this update to you.  The company offers the best hospitality project management solutions like Capital Management, FF&E and OS&E Procurement, and 24/7 Reporting, in order to help hotels maintain their profits and keep their guests happy.  To learn more contact us at (214) 295-3570 or click here to email us.

Four Things to Keep in Mind When Renovating a Hotel

The process and steps involved in any type of renovation project can be overwhelming to even the most experienced project manager.  However, no matter how inundating the renovation experience is, a good project manager knows how to stay on task.  Below are a few things to keep in mind when undergoing a renovation project, no matter how big or small.

Number 1: Planning is key – It is important to make sure that every task involved with the project is outlined fully.  That means coming up with “what if” scenarios, as well as ensuring all materials related to each task are properly stated.

Number 2: Fixtures are Important – Do not skimp on the fixtures.  While high-end, quality fixtures can seem quite expensive, not investing in this important feature can cost the hotel in the future in terms of lower guest visits and room bookings.

Number 3: Budgeting is necessary – Having a clear budget is the difference between the renovation being a success or a costly failure.  It is critical that the project managers, contractors, and owners are on the same page in regards to how much the project should cost.  Many wonderful project management software programs are available with helpful budgeting templates.

Number 4: The little details matter – Guests notice everything, and when undergoing a renovation project, so should the project managers and owners.  When a hotel is updated, guests expect a “Wow” factor, and it is the responsibility of everyone involved in the project to ensure that happens.

Jaguar Hospitality, a leader in hospitality renovations, brought this update to you.  To learn more about their luxury hospitality renovations and project management services, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

Different Types of Project Management Tools

Good project management is key to ensuring your renovation project is a success.  The contractors at Jaguar Hospitality are leaders in luxury hospitality renovations and project management.  By utilizing the expert experience of their associates, they are able to complete luxury hotel renovations easily.  Below is some common project management tools used during a renovation:

Event chain diagram: This diagram shows the relationships between events and tasks and how each of the events effect each other.

Gantt chart: A type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule, with the main function being to illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal and summary elements of a project.

Project plan:  A formal document used to guide both project execution and project control.

Project management software:  A type of software that includes scheduling, cost control and budget management, resource allocation, collaboration software, communication, quality management and documentation or administration systems, used to deal with large, complex projects.

Risk register:  A commonly used tool in project management for defining and planning for any organizational risk assessments.

Project Management Schedules: A list of the project’s terminal elements with intended start and finish dates.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): A tool used to define and organize a project’s core elements so that the entire work scope is properly outlined.

What tools do you use for your project management needs?  Jaguar Hospitality is ready to offer the best hospitality project management solutions like Capital Management, FF&E and OS&E Procurement, and 24/7 Reporting, in order to help the hotel maintain the profits and the guests happy. To learn more about the Hospitality Renovations contact us at (214) 295-3570 or click here to email us.

How to Solve The Biggest Problems With Hospitality

In the hospitality industry there are a variety of issues that can arise.  From labor and skill shortages to escalating construction costs, being in hospitality can be a hot bed of problems.  Below are some of the biggest issues in the hospitality industry and how they can be fixed.

Labor & Skills Shortages –When people stay at a hotel, especially a luxury one, they expect to get high-end, quality service, and when that expectation is not met, hotels can expect to see a major decline in sales.  The best way to fix this issue is to ensure your screening process for potential employees is top notch, including checking their references and running background checks for all departments.

High Renovation and Construction Costs – As the economy gets better or worse, depending on your opinion, construction and renovation costs have steadily grown.  While there is no quick fix to this particular issue, any hotels undergoing renovations or construction can ensure that they make a budget and stick to it.  This will help keep costs down as much as possible.

The Ever Changing Technology – Keeping up with the all the different and new technology options that consumers have can become very costly for a hotel.  The best option to fight this expensive cost is to ensure that the basics that all guests expect of their hotel selections, like free Wi-Fi, and guaranteeing the hotel gets the best packages available from the providers.

Future Hotel Profits – As prices go up, hotels must also raise their prices, however, the higher their prices get, the less likely patrons are going to choose their establishment for the traveling needs.  A way to fix this issue is to ensure that the rates you charge your guests are at least competitive to the other rates being charged.

This update was brought to you by Jaguar Hospitality, a leader in hospitality renovations.  To learn more about their luxury hospitality renovations and project management services, contact them at (214) 295-3570.

Ways to Make Your Hotel Renovation Go Smoothly

Successful renovation projects come about when all parties involved are aware of and have planned for all of the unique challenges that a renovation project can pose.

As a Hospitality Renovations company with considerable experience in the industry, Jaguar Hospitality has a few tips to help your hotel renovation run smoothly. The keys to ensuring a successful project are:

·         A clear vision and objective concerning the project
·         Clearly defined standards for the time, cost and quality of the project.
·         Linking the scope of the project directly back to the previously defined objective and performance standards

Tip #1: At the start of your renovation project it would be a good idea to work with your project manager to develop a reliable schedule that makes sense for your renovation.  That can mean including standards for any part of the renovation done during operating hours and/or standards for how to transition guest rooms in and of service.

Tip #2: Hiring qualified contractors that understand the work involved with your renovation process can be the difference between a successful renovation and a renovation that ends up going over budget.  An experienced contractor is also great because they have the experience to deal with any unexpected challenges.

Tip #3:  Make sure all standards, prior to starting the renovation project are clearly defined, including time, cost and quality. A clear vision and objective are critical elements to keeping renovation projects on track.

Tip #4: Before starting a renovation project on your hotel, it is a good idea to research the market to ensure that any renovations you do on your hotel will provide a big enough return on your investment.

Tip #5: Lastly, when undergoing a renovation project it is very important to ensure that you, your contractor, and project manager stay focused during the entirety of the renovation.  If you don’t account for your staff and your guests your project could end up being quite disastrous.

Jaguar Hospitality adheres to strict standards of performance and innovation with each and every renovation project. With our cutting-edge strategies, resources, and personnel, we are ready to offer the best in luxury hospitality renovations and project management to ensure an optimally smooth project.

 To learn more about the Hospitality Renovations we can offer, contact us at (214) 295-3570 or click here to email us.