Business Travel News - August 18, 2008 - (Page 16)

LODGING Hotel Guest Satisfaction Dropping,According To J.D. Power Survey with guest rooms and food offerings. Hotel guest satisfaction is slipping, Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlalthough brands traditionally rated ton brand rated highest in the luxuhighest are maintaining their popu- ry tier, followed by Four Seasons Holarity, according to the J.D. Power tels and Resorts, echoing the opinion and Associates 2008 North America of travel buyers in Business Travel Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. News’ 2008 U.S. Hotel Chain SurThe study, released July 29 and vey. Both brands tied for the top in its 12th year, is based on respons- score in BTN’s survey. This is Ritzes from more than 53,000 guests Carlton’s second year to top the tier over the past 12 months. Hotels are in the J.D. Power survey. rated on seven measures: reservaThe biggest complaint among luxtions, checkin and ury guests is parking Access BTN’s 2008 checkout, guest rooms, fees, according to the U.S. Hotel Chain Survey food and beverage survey. “While guests see btnonline.com/hotelsurvey service, hotel services, who visit luxury hotels hotel facilities and costs and fees. tend to be somewhat more immune Compared with the 2007 study, to price pressures, parking fees are overall satisfaction dropped in every becoming more commonplace and tier except luxury and extended an increasing source of dissatisfacstay. The drop was sharpest in the tion,” said J.D. Power executive dieconomy/budget tier, which had the rector Linda Hirneise in a statement. highest year-over-year fall in the Embassy Suites Hotels, a Hilton study’s history, marred by issues Hotels Corp. brand, was the highBY MICHAEL B. BAKER J.D. POWER TOP-RANKED BRANDS FOR HOTEL GUEST SATISFACTION LUXURY Ritz-Carlton MIDPRICE FULL-SERVICE Hyatt Place EXTENDED STAY Homewood Suites ECONOMY/BUDGET Microtel Inns & Suites UPSCALE MIDPRICE LIMITED-SERVICE Embassy Suites Hotels Drury Inn & Suites est-rated upscale brand. Guests rated the budding Hyatt Place as the top in the midprice full-service tier, and Drury Inn & Suites topped the midprice limited-service tier, the third year in a row it has done so. As in BTN’s survey, Hilton’s Homewood Suites ranked highest in the extended stay category. Travelers’ biggest issue in the segment was Internet use at properties. For the seventh year in a row, guests gave top economy/budget rankings to Microtel Inns & Suites. Overall scores in the tier slipped due to difficulty meeting customer demands for bedding, business amenities and food choices, Hirneise said. “While many economy and budget brands had begun implementing new product and food and beverage initiatives in the past few years,” Hirneise said, “tight economic times may have forced these properties to slow their progress.” ■ mbaker@btnonline.com ■ If the buck stops with you, rest easy. Corporate business travel is full of tough decisions. Where to book your clients shouldn’t be one of them. Choosing a Homewood Suites ® hotel means everyone gets a generous suite, complimentary hot breakfast every day and a complimentary light meal Monday through Thursday evenings. It’s probably the easiest decision you’ll make all year. homewoodsuites.com 1-800-CALL-HOME ® Points & Miles® and No Blackout Dates. Only from Hilton HHonors. ©2008 Hilton Hotels Corporation. 36 USC 220506. All Rights Reserved. 16 Monday, August 18, 2008 www.BTNonline.com Business Travel News http://btnonline.com/hotelsurvey http://homewoodsuites.com http://homewoodsuites.com http://www.BTNonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - August 18, 2008

Business Travel News - August 18, 2008
Contents
Inside Track
Travel Manager Of The Year
Aviation
Ground Transportation
Lodging
Destinations

Business Travel News - August 18, 2008