Posts Tagged ‘boutique hotel’

Do you believe in Cupid?

January 31st, 2012

 

Goodbye Santa, hello Cupid! February 14th is just around the corner and the arrows are already starting to fly.  We see it every year, millions of couples panicking and stressing in search of the perfect way to express their devotion.   Some choose the boring and predictable “go-to” box of chocolates ….but come on!?  Then, there are those who go to the other extreme, like giving a Rolex, or a shiny new BMW.    Don’t get me wrong, I would personally be very happy to receive either (hint), but just feel it’s a tad out there.   So, what is the perfect answer?   This is where I plug my hotel….Well, OPUS Vancouver is here to the rescue!  This year we have hired CUPID, to assist the frantic and calmly assist individuals looking to plan an amazing romantic experience.   When you book our “Exclusively Yours” package,  CUPID takes care of everything.  He’ll frame your favorite photo and place it in your room with a personal hand written note from you all before you arrive.  Don’t worry CUPID is discreet, and keeps the romance real.   Happy Valentines day to all and remember in the end it’s the thought that truly counts.

Exclusively Yours Package starts at $295, and includes:

  • Deluxe king guest room
  • Sparkling wine welcome beverage at check-in
  • 375ml bottle of Veuve Clicquot delivered to guest room
  • Your choice of ½ dozen red roses or a fresh orchid
  • Handwritten note and framed photo of your choice

Connect with Cupid Concierge year round:  cupid@opushotel.com

 

 

Man’s Best Friend

August 24th, 2011

We recently took a trip to Oregon State, and brought along our beloved puppy dog, Molly.  She is a well loved dog, to the extent that I feel she clearly ranks above me in every category at home, including who is the king of the castle a.k.a house.  We took a week to enjoy the fantastic beaches and outdoors that the Oregon Coast has to offer, which is a prefect road trip to have with your furry friend. The challenges though began early as we prepared for our vacation, starting with where to stay.  It’s interesting to see how most motels/cottages/hotels didn’t pay a lot of attention to marketing or communicating to prospective guests their pet friendly initiatives.  Coming from a neighborhood in downtown Vancouver called Yaletown; where I see most dogs wearing collars that are worth more than my watch, you get the feeling that dog owners are a great market to tap into.  On the contrary, there were the properties that I really got a kick out of that did market themselves as “Pet Friendly”, but upon closer review they weren’t that friendly… One property charged $25/night to have your dog cozy in with you.  Hmmm… so an extra cost of $175 to bring along the little flea bag puppy for a week.   In the end we found a cozy hotel that suited our needs and accepted dogs, albeit with a flat $25 fee, which was much more reasonable.

All of that said, I have started to reconsider our Pet Program here at OPUS Vancouver.  Are we too generous in what we currently offer? We currently do not charge any fee, even though we dedicate extra cleaning to the room, like steam cleaning the carpet.  As well we provide  the guest with a doggie toy and treat, along with a copy of Modern Dog magazine, a must read for any doggie owner.  I looked to Molly to help me with some direction and guidance, which I usually do in important business matters, and those big puppy eyes told me there was no way I could charge for Mans Best Friend, or maybe just a little…

Lifestyle Hotels: Gotta Have Soul

July 7th, 2009

Now that luxury is a bad word, hoteliers are scrambling for ways to reinvent their hotels without spending a whack of money. The quick fix? Simply delete all references to “luxury” in marketing materials and replace them with “lifestyle”. Magically, the hotel’s image transforms from visions of champagne baths and gold-plated toilet seats to a holistic experience involving discovery, connecting and environmental responsibility.

Travelers beware. A similar trend started about a decade ago, after word got out that boutique hotels were more profitable than other hotels. Suddenly hotels large and small were calling themselves boutique. But then a number of players tarnished the boutique reputation by emphasizing style over comfort and hiring mannequins for staff. When the big hotel chains got into the action, the boutique reputation suffered even further. Soon hotels couldn’t distance themselves quickly enough from the contemporary boutique moniker. A new buzzword was needed, and along came the next generation of boutique hotels: the lifestyle hotel. (more…)

Emerging Trends in the Hotel Industry: A Lighthearted Approach

March 10th, 2009

The hotel industry is built on cheerfulness and spirited optimism, yet in these challenging economic times it’s getting increasingly difficult for employees to hold their smile. Amidst all the doom and gloom I thought I’d take a more lighthearted approach to identifying some of the trends emerging in the hotel industry.

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Guest Feedback: The Devil, the Details, and Pierre

December 5th, 2008

A recent guest took our Lifestyle Concierge quiz and was so surprised by his similarities to Pierre he sent us this letter. We thought you’d enjoy.

To: Mr. Nicholas Gandossi, General Manager

I have just spent an evening at your trendy little address in Vancouver and felt I should convey my observations for the sake of fellow travelers, loungers and food lovers.

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