Viceroy brings Art Deco fusion to the Windy City

Is room service becoming irrelevant? Check in for today's edition of Mint Pillow to find out how hotels are evolving in-room dining.

In today's newsletter:
🥙 The room service dilemma
🤝 Fixing labor pains
🏩 Historic charm in Chicago
🚂 Orient Express inspires revamp
📱 Hotel agent goes VR

Hotels reinvent the room service experience

Room service in hotels faces challenges from food delivery apps like Uber Eats, prompting hotels to rethink their approach or eliminate room service altogether. Some hotels are embracing partnerships with delivery apps, while others are focusing on enhancing the luxury and convenience of in-room dining experiences. Despite the decline in traditional room service, luxury hotels continue to innovate with digital ordering systems and specialized menus to meet evolving guest preferences. (Thrillist)

Viceroy brings Art Deco fusion to the Windy City

The Viceroy Chicago, nestled in the city’s upscale Gold Coast neighborhood, combines historical charm with modern luxury. Its design features a blend of a 120-year-old landmark façade with an 18-story glass tower, creating a harmonious fusion of past and present. Inside, guests are greeted by an intimate lobby adorned with elegant furnishings and artistic touches, while the guestrooms reflect Chicago's architectural heritage with Art Deco-inspired decor and breathtaking city views. (Hotels Above Par)

How to navigate the post-pandemic labor market

Hotel executives recognize the challenges of the labor market post-COVID, including rising wages and difficulty in finding and retaining employees. Among the solutions shared at last month’s Asian American Hotel Owners Association conference in San Francisco were:

• leveraging social media for recruitment
• offering flexible hours and benefits
• focusing on building a positive workplace culture to attract and retain talent

Industry leaders emphasized the importance of actively recruiting younger workers, providing training and career advancement opportunities and fostering a supportive environment to address labor shortages. (Lodging Magazine)

Crawford Hotel celebrates 10th anniversary with $11M reno

For its 10th anniversary, The Crawford Hotel at Denver’s Union Station underwent a significant renovation, investing $11 million in updates to all 112 rooms and introducing a new lobby space with private elevator access. The renovations, designed by DLR Group and Sage Studio, include custom-made furniture, jewel-toned decor and locally sourced art, inspired by elegant train rides on the Orient Express. Additional updates to the Great Hall, Cooper Lounge and meeting/event space are expected to be completed in July, marking the culmination of the $54 million revitalization of Union Station since its reopening in 2014. (KDVR)

Grand Hotel unveils first 3D virtual concierge

 The Grand Hotel in Salem unveiled IZZY, a first-of-its-kind 3D virtual concierge accessible via the hotel app. IZZY personalizes the guest experience by offering information, reservations and local recommendations through voice or text commands. Read more about this tech at Travel and Tour World.

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