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All Things Independent
2018 TIEWN Conference Mobilizes Women in Hospitality on International Women’s Day
March 15, 2018
Boardrooms and C-suites are feminizing, but there's more to be done Los Angeles, California – The Travel Industry Executive Women's Network (TIEWN), a global networking association with over 10,000 members, held their fifth annual educational and motivational conference at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on March 8, 2018. Timed to International Women's Day, the event celebrated female leaders across several industries, sharing successes and challenges to motivate and encourage progressive change within the hospitality and tourism sectors. Organized by TIEWN and BLLA Founder and CEO Frances Kiradjian, and her daughter, B...
How the New Airbnb Offerings Impact the Hotel Industry and What Hotels Brands Can Do to Win in the Sharing Economy
Kyle Killion | March 15, 2018
Boutique Hotels Beware: The Hotel Industry Gets a New Frenemy By Kyle Killion Longtime hotel industry rival, Airbnb, continues to make headlines with its latest offering. In an effort to own more vacation accommodation bookings, the company, which built its business on being the anti-hotel alternative, now offers more boutique hotel listings than ever before. But, even as Airbnb adds more hotels into the mix, hotel brands are not featured. Despite this, there is a lot that hotel brands can do to stay competitive in the sharing economy. Why are hotel brands letting Airbnb win? Hotels have experienced strong growth since 2008, but alterna...
Women on Boards in Travel and Hospitality
Frances Kiradjian | March 2, 2018
By Frances Kiradjian Women's equality has been put into the spotlight recently including the subject around the #MeToo movement, and the response has been tremendous, with an increase in the number of female-focused conferences and meetups. While the issue has been taken out of the dark and into the public eye, there is still a need for change within in the corporate setting, primarily within positions of power such as top executives and public and private boards. A lack of women in executive positions is not a new issue or area of focus for some companies. A perfect example of who has been leading the path is Women on Boards 2020; an i...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Announces New Inner Circle Club Members Who Have Joined for 2018
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | February 15, 2018
The "Club" members represent major supply networks and hospitality organizations owning and operating some of the world's finest boutique & lifestyle hotels Los Angeles, February 15, 2018 - It is with extreme pride that BLLA announces its newest Inner Circle Club (ICC) members. They join the association in a much-esteemed Club that already contains some of the nations top organizations. They have proven to be a force in the boutique sector and a supporter of the association. This year, they'll be joined by brands we hold in the same regard. 2018 is poised to be a historic year for BLLA as we have grown our network and reach like nev...
Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) Beso Del Sol Resort to Exhibit at Upcoming Bridal Show Beso Del Sol “The Venue” Will Offer Discounts to Attendees
Global Connections, Inc. | February 6, 2018
DUNEDIN, FL— (February 6, 2017) – The Venue at Beso Del Sol Resort (Dunedin, FL) is the place for celebrations ranging from Weddings to Anniversaries to special occasions such as birthdays, holiday parties and corporate meetings. The Venue will be among many high level and innovative exhibitors at the Tampa Bay Bridal Show presented and produced by Tampa Bay Times. "Kiss of the Sun" (Beso Del Sol), a resort owned and managed by Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) is regarded by many to be the best boutique resort in the Tampa Bay area. GCI, the highly respected travel club developer, fulfillment and service provider, owns and man...
Pushing Boutique Forward!
Frances Kiradjian | January 25, 2018
By Frances Kiradjian The Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association, as many of you already know, exists as the official resource for boutique hotel owners, operators, and any hospitality facing businesses. We've garnered a global community over the course of the (near) decade we have been operational, and now we look ahead to the coming trends and innovations that are sure to play pivotal roles in the industry as they're proliferated. While the majority of BLLA members are (and will remain) hotel properties, we've broadened our reach to aid capital investors, technology companies, designers, restaurateurs, PR and marketing experts and ...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Connects Travel and Hospitality Industry Executives for 5th Annual Executive Women’s Conference in L
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | January 10, 2018
Conference to feature hospitality, travel & tourism executives for one-day event, March 8th at the SLS Beverly Hills Hotel Los Angeles, CA, January 10, 2018 – BLLA is pleased to announce the fifth installment of the Executive Women's Conference, focusing on elevating the voice of women in an industry that benefits so much from their impassioned efforts. The event is taking place on March 8th which is International Women's Day. After the Golden Globe Awards Sunday night and the 'Times Up' message and action, this conference is perfectly positioned to bring together professional women who work in travel and hospitality. Internat...
Educating the Boutique Community: Take-Aways from Stay Boutique Leadership Conference
Frances Kiradjian | December 20, 2017
By Frances Kiradjian In line with our continued efforts to educate the people who make the world of boutique hotels go 'round, BLLA hosts many annual conferences designed to connect and inspire the community. In our first branded 'Stay Boutique' Leadership Conference, the association curated a lineup of speakers that included the CEOs of powerhouse hospitality groups like sbe, Viceroy, The Hospital Club, h.Wood Group, and many others. Major take-aways from the three-day meeting: A leader not only leads his team to success on paper, but fosters an environment where his or her employees feel proud of and invested in the work they are pr...
Hotel Industry Pillars: You Sleep, You Dine
Georges Panayotis | November 7, 2017
By Georges Panayotis The two pillars of the hotel industry are accommodations and restaurants. A fresh wind is also blowing on the catering industry, with newcomers and changes in customer expectations and practices. The days when pubs served a single menu to employees at lunchtime and great dishes of French gastronomy graced starred table are fading. The Food & Beverages sector is emerging in a new light, sometimes with determination. Here again, digital companies such as Deliveroo, are multiplying the catchment area of restaurateurs without forgetting to take a substantial commission - any resemblance to hospitality players is not...
Scent of a Lobby
Benoit Gateau-Cumin | October 26, 2017
By Benoit Gateau-Cumin Have you noticed, in recent years, that little "je ne sais quoi" that feels so familiar when you step into the lobby of a luxe hotel? Is it that all the beautiful women are exquisitely made up and perfumed? Or does it feel more like getting off the elevator at Neiman Marcus' cosmetics floor? Your olfactory senses are hijacked by the cacophony of fragrances at Neiman Marcus: they are there to "perfume" you, hoping you will like and buy. The chic hotel has a totally different approach and goal: it wants to seduce you, to relax you, to make you happy, maybe giddy, to make you feel plush. You feel like inhaling deeply...
BLLA’s 2017 Stay Boutique Awards Presented to Industry Executives & Innovators
BLLA | October 23, 2017
Each fall, the boutique community comes together to honor the finest people and projects on their contributions that are disrupting the industry Los Angeles, October 19, 2017 - The Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) presented the 8th annual Boutique and Lifestyle Lodging Awards at a ceremony and celebration on October 5th during the organization's annual Stay Boutique Leadership Conference. The Awards, now branded as the Stay Boutique Awards, recognize leaders, innovators and icons in every corner of the boutique, lifestyle and luxury worlds. Founded in 2010, the Stay Boutique Awards originally served to recognize lea...
BLLA Redefines the Meaning of Boutique Hospitality at Annual Stay Boutique Leadership Conference, in Los Angeles
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | October 11, 2017
Industry Powerhouses Come Together to Discuss Future of Luxury, the Boutique Concept and What Hospitality Means for 2018 Los Angeles – Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) successfully closed its 2017 Annual Stay Boutique Leadership Conference held at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center last week. Over 230 attendees and 56 speakers came together to dissect the boutique and lifestyle industries and divulge into the boutique movement, by redefining what the industry means and where it is heading in 2018. At the forefront of this movement, BLLA is redefining what hospitality is by further merging the fashion, lifestyle, ...
Elevate Your F&B Game at the Stay Boutique Leadership Conference!
Frances Kiradjian | October 2, 2017
Once upon a time, planning and budgeting for food and beverage was almost an afterthought in the process of running a hotel. But ever since the sea change brought about by boutique and luxury lifestyle hotels, on-site bars and restaurants have been linchpins of the hotel sector; and today your hotel brand could perhaps be said to live and die on the quality of its food and beverage offering. It's an important factor in attracting potential hotel guests, for whom the quality of these services may well be paramount; but also the increasingly large share of revenue coming from outside patrons, who may be drawn to your establishment as a de...
Small Brands Are Defined by Big Stories
Michael Tall | September 19, 2017
By Michael Tall The boutique hotel customer is looking for a certain type of experience that transcends a bed in a room. This traveler is looking for a broader experience that is driven by authenticity and discovery. These two aspects directly play into a boutique hotel's story. For a hotel to be authentic, it needs to relate to something real and relevant with significant meaning. This can be achieved through its relevance to the local neighborhood, or its representation of a time period or style—if done correctly and genuinely. Defining a fully-developed story behind the hotel's unique brand identity can convey a greater sense o...
Boutique Hotels Driving Trends
Frances Kiradjian | August 24, 2017
By Frances Kiradjian Even for an industry known for being in a constant state of flux, the hospitality industry was barely prepared for the sea change that came over it with the arrival of boutique and luxury lifestyle hotels two decades ago. The repercussions of that change are still being felt today, as the boutique sector has consistently remained a driving force for changing trends in the hotel industry. From design havens to signature restaurants and a focus of local suppliers, many of the big stories of recent years have originated in the boutique and luxury lifestyle environment. This is due in no small part to the independence o...
Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) Launches Stay Boutique™ Leadership Conference in Los Angeles
the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) | August 22, 2017
Inaugural Conference to Connect Boutique Powerhouse Brands and Hospitality Innovators for Three-Day Event, Oct. 3-5 Los Angeles – August 22, 2017 – This October, BLLA is disrupting the boutique space with the launch of the Stay Boutique™ Leadership Conference, replacing the association's annual Leadership Symposium. Designed to congregate the leaders and influencers in the community, the new conference will take the boutique and lifestyle sector to new heights, dissect the "new boutique mindset" and forecast ahead to what boutique means for 2018. Hotel pioneers, lifestyle authorities and hospitality innovators will gat...
Dream Training Programs for Boutique Hotels
BLLA | August 9, 2017
By Frances Kiradjian Training is one of those things that just about everyone agrees is a good idea on paper. But in the hectic day-to-day business of running a hotel, the dream of establishing a formalized training program often takes a back seat in favor of "learning on the job". This latter solution, apparently saving time, is no substitute for a well-formulated staff training program. Let's look at some of the reasons why. BLLA is gearing up to launch the boutique hospitality program in collaboration with UCLA Extension and would love your input on the challenges and needs of the hospitality world. Follow this link to complete a bri...
A Look at the Future of the Boutique Hotel Industry: BLLA’s 2017 Sentiment Survey Results Revealed
Frances Kiradjian | July 7, 2017
By Frances Kiradjian A little insight is a valuable thing in the hospitality industry, and the value of comparing notes and getting an overview on the industry in general and broader trends is huge. These kinds of insights are also one of the reasons BLLA is such a useful organization to be part of for the Boutique & Lifestyle sector. And nowhere is this clearer than in our annual Sentiment Survey, an essential overview of the state of this thriving area of the hospitality industry. We reached out to you, our ever-expanding network of more than 1,000 of the finest Boutique & Lifestyle hoteliers, to find out the truth about the s...
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs to Make Fall 2017 Debut in California
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs | June 29, 2017
Soaring to new heights in Palm Springs is Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs, now accepting reservations in anticipation of its opening this fall. The seven-story, 153-room urban desert escape anchors the city's major downtown revitalization project and features Palm Springs' first and only rooftop pool, two restaurants and two bars, serene views of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, and inspiring spaces for meetings & events. The first full-scale hotel built in the area in decades and Kimpton's first project in the Palm Springs market, Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs is a celebration of the desert's organic, rugged beauty artfully bala...
The Complexities of Boutique Hotel Development
Frances Kiradjian | June 22, 2017
By Frances Kiradjian The complexities of boutique hotel development were discussed by an illustrious panel of hotel-industry luminaries at the fifth annual BLLA Boutique Hotel Investment Conference New York. Moderated by Jay Newman, chief operating officer of The Athens Group, the panel featured Michael Fuerstman, co-founder of Pendry Hotels, a new luxury brand from Montage Hotels & Resorts; Allie Hope, head of development and acquisitions at Virgin Hotels; Matthew Livian, SVP and CIO of Sydell Group; Chris Pardo, co-founder of Arrive Hotels; and Jason Pomeranc, chief executive officer of The Pomeranc Group. The panelists were asked...
Why Are Other Industries Attracted to the Boutique Hotel Sector?
Frances Kiradjian | June 16, 2017
By Frances Kiradjian One of the many exciting things about the boutique hotel world is its ability to absorb exciting elements from disparate areas—from the art world to music, fashion and cuisine—anything it can harness to add character and interest to a hotel's offering. And this diversity of influences was highlighted this week at the BLLA Boutique Hotel Investment Conference, where a panel of luminaries from very different backgrounds converged to discuss their shared interest in the boutique space. Chaired by Gettys Group president Andrew Fay, the panel featured David Bowd, principal of West Elm Hotels; Tony Kurz, CEO o...
Major Hospitality Powerhouses Reveal Key Trends at Annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference (BLLA)
BLLA | June 12, 2017
Executives from Leading Hotels of the World, Equinox Hotels, Sixty Hotels, PENDRY, West Elm Hotels, Arianna Huffington and More, Converge in New York to Talk Boutique Hospitality New York, June 12 – Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) successfully closed its 2017 Annual Boutique Hotel Investment Conference in New York, June 7, with some of the most influential hospitality powerhouses in the game. Worldwide hotel luminaries, executives and developers gathered at the Times Center in the heart of New York, to discuss major hospitality trends and provide an in-depth analysis of the ever-developing industry. Over 45 sp...
How the Staff of a Midtown Manhattan Boutique Hotel Became Even More Productive Without Radio Communication
ALICE | June 7, 2017
New York, NY -- Luxury Midtown Manhattan boutique, Kimberly Hotel & Suites, has selected hospitality operations platform ALICE to improve staff communication and efficiency at the 194-room hotel. ALICE unites all staff departments together with a shared work management and communication system. The Kimberly Hotel's housekeeping, engineering, room service, front desk, and concierge teams have all been using ALICE since February 2017. Implementing ALICE has had an immediate impact on staff productivity throughout the hotel. Prior to ALICE, the Kimberly ran their operations with pen and paper, walkie talkies, and a fair bit of staff lo...
Embracing New Technologies and Hotel Security in Our World Today
Frances Kiradjian | May 30, 2017
by Frances Kiradjian To the uninitiated, the current fad for virtual and augmented reality technologies might seem to have little overlap with the travel industry. Why go to the trouble of traveling anywhere if you plan to sit in a darkened room wearing a headset and exploring a fantasy world? Such a view is echoed by the sentiments of Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Expedia, in 2016 who told a technology conference, "I hope that VR in travel fails miserably because I want people to go places." But technology has a habit of making itself useful in situations where we least expect it – which can only explain why, a year later, Expedia it...
