Many of us strive to work while we vacation in a pursuit of work life balance. Can popular lobby workspaces have adverse affects on business and leisure travelers alike, and is there an argument for some hotels to keep 'business centers?' 

For those of you who read the HOTELsMag blog by Craft House Founder and Director, Yvette Jong, you may have read her piece titled, "I heart Airbnb." After both backlash and support from industry colleagues criticizing or supporting her point of view, Craft House distributed a survey to understand what the industry really thinks about Airbnb. The results are here!

Classic cocktails have made a huge comeback, but are speakeasies and labor intensive cocktails appropriate for all beverage outlets? Is there something to be said about cocktails on tap, like there are wines on tap?  

Most business travelers are quick to stay in their room and order room service. Is there an opportunity to bring single business travelers down to belly up at the bar with other travelers and make some extra revenue?

Service issues are sometimes unavoidable, but when you put the safety of a customer at risk, the least you can do is show empathy and make some service recovery efforts. Amtrak's negligence during a recent trip shocked me, but their response to my complaint left me speechless.

Do hotels pay to get good reviews in guidebooks? And if so, who's to blame?

The most valuable asset a luxury hotel has is its brand and brand reputation. Investment in this asset is a long-term investment with a return over several years, not just one. So is an investment like this a wasted expense or a strategic capital investment?

Are short lived promotions that feature sustainability good, bad or ugly?

How people travel is changing and hotels and other destinations have to adapt their offering as such to attract and build long term loyalty. Here are our thoughts on trends moving forward - from staycations to Airbnb, food tourism to voluntourism.

Should old colonial buildings be restored into new hotels with butler service reminiscent of the English occupation? Should hotel employees start dressing in traditional gear and bowing to guests? I suppose that's what travelers want. Perhaps it's even what I wanted. But is it right? 

With the growing number of certifications is the growing list of uncertainties.

Being proactive and measuring your hotel’s carbon footprint in one form or another is commendable. But regardless of how you measure it, who you do it for or why you do it at all, be transparent about your methodology and overall CSR strategy. Written clearly and concisely, a CSR report can speak volumes.