Hotels are reinvesting in their properties, adding amenities, and getting creative with marketing as business improves in the economic recovery. Renovation projects, which started a couple of years ago, continue as hoteliers’ outlook remains positive heading into the busy summer season. The Business Journal’s Kari Hamanaka asked general managers from several hotels here what they’re doing to attract guests while generating new revenue sources. Here are edited excerpts of their responses.
DANIEL KUPERSCHMID
General Manager
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Our $15 million reinvention encompassed all aspects of the property—from the grand front drive, porte-cochère and lobby to the 407 guest rooms and suites, pools, extensive grounds and restaurants—all with the goal in mind to keep guests at the hotel and reinvigorate the resort-style destination we have always been. We are keeping guests at the hotel by offering a new fresh-food concept with SHOR American Seafood Grill, which offers guests food that has been thoughtfully sourced, using local ingredients, and serves world-class dishes for lunch and dinner. In addition, we have created a new cutting-edge, smartphone app for guests that will generate revenue from the spa, rentals and pool food and beverages. We have also partnered with Toes on the Nose to offer activity rentals of the hotel, including kayak, outrigger, paddleboard, surfboard rentals and lessons, as well as cycling tours of Newport Beach. Keeping the activity rentals in-house will generate large revenue streams to the hotel this summer. Overall, the upgraded experience at our three new pools—especially the Oasis family pool with fun interactive water features and slides—will keep families entertained and at the hotel all day long. The Indulge Pool, a mature pool setting with food and beverage offerings, music and a sandy beach area, will be the perfect setting for couples and adults.
DON PRESCOTT
General Manager
Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel
Knott’s Hotel generates additional revenue outside of our regular booking fees through our hotel packages. These packages offer great savings to our guests and additional revenue to the hotel. Knott’s Hotel Premier Package includes Ride & Slide tickets for unlimited visits to Knott’s and Soak City (water park) during your stay. Additional perks available through our packages include Early Entry into Knott’s 30 minutes prior to the park opening on select rides and our Kids Eat Free package, which offers free lunch and dinner for kids 3-11 in our Amber Waves Restaurant.
GIUSEPPE LAMA
Managing Director
The Resort at Pelican Hill
A complete resort destination, Pelican Hill offers comprehensive activities and entertainment programming for guests of all ages.
Throughout the year, the resort provides activity and event information to local and resort guests through printed brochures, email communications and our online calendar. Quarterly Pelican Hill magazines are distributed, as well as in the surrounding communities, along with monthly Activities & Entertainment brochures highlighting seasonal resort offerings. Each month, the resort distributes two email newsletters. The first newsletter, sent at the beginning of the month, includes featured selections from the Activities & Entertainment brochure. The second newsletter features new and seasonal Epicurean Experiences throughout the resort. Guests can access Pelican Hill’s online calendar anytime from the website homepage to view current resort offerings and upcoming events.
For larger events and holiday celebrations, we feature a microsite solely dedicated to the event. For example, this fall Pelican Hill presents Festa dell’Autunno, the resort’s annual three-day harvest season celebration, including a series of weekend events and activities for guests and locals. The scope and size of this event prompted us to create pelicanhill.com/festa, a microsite with event information, accommodation packages, children’s activities, an image gallery and a video. For guests who may not be familiar with Festa dell’Autunno, our microsite allows them to be immersed in the experience before they even arrive.
