Tuning into the music tourism trend

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Ever thought about your hotel as a live music venue? Music tourism is on the rise, and luxury hotels are redefining the experience with exclusive concert series. And thanks to a curated program by Bedside Reading, authors are reaching new hotel audiences, too. Plus, despite labor shortages and the transformative nature of AI, are brighter skies in the forecast for the hotel industry? Read on for more.

What we’re following: The unorthodox cost-cutting measures hotels are taking to save money, at the cost of privacy.

What we’re saving: These concierge tips and tricks for getting the VIP treatment.

What we’re re-watching: This straight-from-the-archives SNL hotel skit from Season 43 (2017), starring Kumail Nanjiani as a front-desk employee.

Where we’d like to spend Election Day: At one of these stress-relieving “Not Watch Pawties” at Aloft Hotels around the country, featuring pups from local shelters.

Founded in 2017 by former TV/film producer Jane Ubell-Meyer, Bedside Reading provides bestselling books in the Hamptons and 50+ luxury & boutique hotels and partners with authors and publishers. Hotel brands include Waldorf-Astoria, Fairmont, Conrad, Kimpton, TAJ Hotels and more. 

The company's multi-fold mission: Offer hotels a wellness/literary amenity; help authors by connecting their books to readers; allow hotel guests to unplug and delve into the world of words at some of the most sought-after destinations. The program offers ebooks and audiobooks through its Bedside Reading Digital program, podcasts, meditations and author events. 

Ubell-Meyer is also a No. 1 Amazon best-selling author of the newly released independently published book, From 'Wanting' to Having It!: The Non-Freaking-Negotiable® Manifesting Method Love, Cash, Career, and Even Parking Spaces!

Here's what guests are reading around the country right now, according to Bedside Reading:

Conrad New York Downtown: Conscious Wealth by Brandon Hatton

Kimpton Palomar Philadelphia: Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit by Eric Schmidt, Henry A. Kissinger and Craig Mundie

The Benjamin Royal Sonesta: The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows: She Thinks Big: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide to Moving Past the Messy Middle and Into the Extraordinary by Andrea Liebross

Conrad Nashville: The Sacred Plate by Sarah Vie

Hotels tune into music tourism boom

Music tourism is growing as more travelers plan trips around live performances, and luxury hotel brands like Auberge Resorts Collection are tapping into this trend with its exclusive concert series. Featuring intimate performances in stunning settings, the series offers a unique alternative to traditional concert venues, with artists like LeAnn Rimes (The Lodge at Blue Sky in Park City, Nov. 15) and Maren Morris (Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Dec. 1) headlining. Guests can choose from weekend packages or individual tickets, combining live music with the chance to unwind and experience the destination’s unique atmosphere.

The future’s looking suite

The Lodging Conference highlighted optimism among hospitality leaders about the industry's future, despite challenges like labor shortages and the integration of technology. Hotel transactions are projected to increase due to low supply and interest rate cuts, with extended-stay accommodations remaining a key focus for developers and guests. Hotels are also leaning into experience-driven offerings, particularly in the luxury segment, by integrating local art, partnerships and unique amenities to stand out from the crowd. (Hotel Dive)

Cultivating connections with hourly staff

Scott Greenberg, author of Stop the Shift Show: Turn Your Struggling Hourly Workers into a Top-Performing Team, discusses the significant differences between hourly and salaried employees, highlighting the unique challenges managers face with hourly workers. Greenberg emphasizes that these employees often juggle multiple responsibilities and require more empathy, understanding and tailored management approaches to thrive. By focusing on emotional needs, clear performance metrics and actionable company values, businesses can transform their hourly workforce into a valuable asset rather than a challenge, he underscores. (Training Magazine)

Navigating the new age of hotel tech

Hospitality Daily Podcast sits down to chat with Hotel Tech Report co-founder Jordan Hollander to discuss the shifts in hotel technology, highlighting the more informed buying habits of customers and the transition from centralized decision-making to decentralized approaches. Hollander emphasizes the need for hoteliers to be proactive in evaluating technology vendors and integrating solutions tailored to their unique requirements. “Reed Hastings from Netflix would always tell his employees, 'Constantly go out to the market and interview for other companies and find out what your value is so that you're not that person sitting in my company thinking, why am I getting paid half of what I should be?'” says Hollander. (Hospitality Daily)

How to design a holiday wonderland

This holiday season, hotel designers are moving beyond traditional red and green, favoring diverse color palettes like whites, creams and jewel tones for a fresh, creative twist. Personal expression is key, with DIY and vintage decor adding layers of charm and meaning. Natural touches, such as greenery and fruit, combined with retro accents like tinsel, will create warm, inviting spaces that blend contemporary trends with classic holiday nostalgia. (Veranda)

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