Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Seattle's Best Coffee Expands Franchising Program in U.S.
I never knew that Starbucks owned Seattles Best
Starbucks to explore value meal options for menu
You know now that things must be pretty bad ....
What Starbucks should do is get their operations and staffing "fixed". The other day I was in the Gallareria Shopping Mall in Houston TX. I went to the Stabucks Kios and ordered an Iced Tea. There were 5, Five, staff in this small kios. One simply took orders, one prepared the orders, and three stood around doing nothing. There was no line. But I still had to wait as there was only one person out of 5 who was capable of preparing an Iced Tea. I was ready to ask for my money back.
What Starbucks should do is get their operations and staffing "fixed". The other day I was in the Gallareria Shopping Mall in Houston TX. I went to the Stabucks Kios and ordered an Iced Tea. There were 5, Five, staff in this small kios. One simply took orders, one prepared the orders, and three stood around doing nothing. There was no line. But I still had to wait as there was only one person out of 5 who was capable of preparing an Iced Tea. I was ready to ask for my money back.
Friday, January 30, 2009
WORLDHOTELS-the Americas Adds 15 Hotels to its Regional Portfolio in 2008
This caught my eye as I have never head of World Hotels (http://www.worldhotels.com/) . I went to their web site to try and get some sort of feel as to what they are. Their web site states that they have been around since 1970.
The global portfolio of WORLDHOTELS is made up of hotels which are distinguished by their unique personality and individual style, as well as their excellent location, service and facilities. We invite you to browse through some examples of the unique styles of WORLDHOTELS properties.
So, me being me, look to see what exquisite hotels they have in, say, Canada. There are two hotels which are both in excellent locations. This begs the question though. Do they mean excellent location within the city that the hotel resides? Or excellent location in a more global sense? In any case the two wonderful hotels are located in Manitoba Canada. One in Winnipeg and one in Thompson. Now you ask, where is Thompson? (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=winnipeg&daddr=Thompson+Manitoba&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=55.756486,-97.850418&sspn=0.167303,0.615234&g=Thompson+Manitoba&ie=UTF8&z=5) 770 KM north of Winnipeg. Yes NORTH. Here is a first hand report on the Burnt wood hotel
http://www.worldhotels.com/index.php?id=85&hotel_id=517
I guess having a hotel in Northern Manitoba isn't all that bad but the issue here is a basic one. The biggest problem with a lot of companies is that they do not know what business they are in. This groups seems to be another Best Western in that you can find 5 star down to 3 star. Although each hotel seems to be marked, this does not project an image such as Leading Hotels would. I would think that anyone booking Leading Hotels has an expectation of what they will get. This seems to me to be a "we'll take anything within reason" collection of fine hotels and resorts. Perhaps someone should put together a collection of good, clean 3 star hotels around the world that have certain standards that guests can count on. This would be a good idea.
The global portfolio of WORLDHOTELS is made up of hotels which are distinguished by their unique personality and individual style, as well as their excellent location, service and facilities. We invite you to browse through some examples of the unique styles of WORLDHOTELS properties.
So, me being me, look to see what exquisite hotels they have in, say, Canada. There are two hotels which are both in excellent locations. This begs the question though. Do they mean excellent location within the city that the hotel resides? Or excellent location in a more global sense? In any case the two wonderful hotels are located in Manitoba Canada. One in Winnipeg and one in Thompson. Now you ask, where is Thompson? (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=winnipeg&daddr=Thompson+Manitoba&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=55.756486,-97.850418&sspn=0.167303,0.615234&g=Thompson+Manitoba&ie=UTF8&z=5) 770 KM north of Winnipeg. Yes NORTH. Here is a first hand report on the Burnt wood hotel
http://www.worldhotels.com/index.php?id=85&hotel_id=517
I guess having a hotel in Northern Manitoba isn't all that bad but the issue here is a basic one. The biggest problem with a lot of companies is that they do not know what business they are in. This groups seems to be another Best Western in that you can find 5 star down to 3 star. Although each hotel seems to be marked, this does not project an image such as Leading Hotels would. I would think that anyone booking Leading Hotels has an expectation of what they will get. This seems to me to be a "we'll take anything within reason" collection of fine hotels and resorts. Perhaps someone should put together a collection of good, clean 3 star hotels around the world that have certain standards that guests can count on. This would be a good idea.
Carter wears smudged crown as USA's 'dirtiest hotel'
According to this article Days Inn has 3 of the top ten dirtiest hotels
Earlier this week there was a similar list form the UK. It appears that none of the hotels on the list were Branded chain hotels. On the US list 50% are branded. Doesn't say much for the value of choosing a chain hotel over an independant.
Earlier this week there was a similar list form the UK. It appears that none of the hotels on the list were Branded chain hotels. On the US list 50% are branded. Doesn't say much for the value of choosing a chain hotel over an independant.
