There's so much more AccorHotels could be doing with its loyalty program, including integrating it with its Accor Local mobile app. For now, however, the company seems more focused on making sure it doesn't upset any elite loyalty members from Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel.
This AccorHotels investment in SBE aligns with its strategy for growth in North America as it adds more properties in key cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. It does, though, contradict, in some respects, the chain's push to go asset-light.
Smart hotel brands like AccorHotels know that the real threat isn't Airbnb or even their fellow hotel companies. It's the Googles, Tencents, Facebooks, Amazons, and Apples of the world.
Where is luxury going next? In a nutshell, everywhere. Today, luxury travelers can be found anywhere from second-tier cities to remote destinations in developing countries. And as travelers increasingly flock to novel places, expect hospitality companies to bookmark them as well.
Maud Bailly has been at the heart of AccorHotels' recent transformation. She'll hopefully shed some light on the company's digital strategy and how it intends to use all its new acquisitions.
Hotels can spend a surprising amount of time on bathroom amenities. Why? Because guests — especially big-spending ones — actually pay attention to what they put on their hair and body when they take a shower.
The general manager of Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris once told us that "the bathroom says everything about a hotel." We agree. Focusing on the bathroom amenities — the soaps, lotions, and potions — provides a valuable insight into the brand story.
If AccorHotels actually does invest in Air France-KLM that certainly would bring the company that much closer to being the full-service travel services company/brand that its CEO Sebastien Bazin has said he wants it to become.