Many hotel companies have a family of brands, each offering a different level of amenities and services. This is an attempt to reach more consumers and market segments, rather than limiting to only one particular market segment.
choose one particular family of hotels (there are many parent companies) and identify a specific brand within that hotel company. Examples of brands include Hampton Inn or Waldorf Astoria (Hilton family), The Ritz Carlton or Westin (Marriott Bonvoy), Quality Inn or EconoLodge (Choice Hotels), etc.
Based on what you are able to learn about that particular brand from their website and locations, identify their particular target market. This could include business/leisure travelers, upstairs versus downstairs, long term versus short term, etc. Explain why you came to that conclusion.
What particular amenities or brands do you look for when you are traveling? Does it change if it is for business, military, or leisure?
Finally, if you were to begin a career in the hotel industry, would you choose to begin in a full service hotel or a limited service hotel and why would that particular choice support your career goals better?
Full Answer Section
- Amenities: While not offering extensive amenities like a spa or fine dining, Hampton Inn provides basic amenities like a pool, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi, catering to essential needs of leisure travelers.
My Hotel Preferences:
My hotel preferences vary depending on the trip type:
- Business Travel: I prioritize reliable Wi-Fi, a workspace, and on-site business services like printing or a fax machine.
- Military Travel: Proximity to base, government rates, and amenities like laundry facilities are important.
- Leisure Travel: For leisure trips, I prioritize location (near attractions or in a scenic area), comfortable beds, and potentially amenities like a pool or hot tub.
Starting in the Hotel Industry:
For a career in the hotel industry, I would choose to begin in a limited-service hotel like Hampton Inn & Suites.
- Reasons:
- Focus on Operations: Limited-service hotels allow a strong foundation in core hotel operations like housekeeping, guest service, and front desk procedures.
- Transferable Skills: These skills are valuable across the hotel industry, making it easier to transition to different brands or full-service hotels in the future.
- Guest Interaction: Limited-service hotels often have more guest interaction, providing valuable experience in guest service and communication.
Starting in a limited-service hotel provides a strong base of knowledge and transferable skills for a successful career path within the broader hotel industry.