Are you using Google local business centre to promote your hotel?

I've been been doing some work on Google Local Business Centre (LBC) in the last week or two and it amazes me that so many hotels still do not manage and update their details on a regular basis on what is a FREE service and is a sure fire way to get your website into the top section of Google search result pages.

LBC returns search engine results for most geographical based search phrases as part of Google maps which usually appear just below the Pay per click sponsored search links.

To edit and maintain your entry your either need to create it or if there is one already online then claim it. The system is easy to use and there is a multitude of information that can be completed, not least images, business categories, description and video.

And then theres more as it also allows you to enter Coupons for promotions. These are not being widely used in the UK - yet - but are sure to catch on soon. Read more about it here or view this online video
and I think they could prove really effective in terms of local F&B marketing promotions.

Google also appear to be planning on using Google Maps (and LBC data) more in the future by providing hotel information and online bookings. Read this article.

Hotels not working with these free Google tools and services are definitely missing a trick - are you one of them?

Robert Smith

Best Western Premier Blunsdon House wins awards

I was delighted to hear a client of Complete Hotels Services, the Best Western Premier Blunsdon House Hotel in Swindon has won not one but two accolades.

Firstly, the hotel has joined the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) was recently assessed by the GTBS on over 200 individual “Green” criteria and awarded a prestigious GOLD award, the highest standard available. They are the first hotel in Wiltshire to achieve this exceptional award and one of only a handful of larger four star properties in the country to attain it.

Secondly, at the annual Best Western GB conference they were awarded the Best Venue in the country. That's some accolade when you consider there are 290 odd members in Best Western GB!

Well done to all the management and staff at the BW Premier Blunsdon House Hotel.

What facilities & services do business travellers most value in a hotel room?

We have now been managing the Plough and Harrow hotel in Birmingham for 10 days and are starting to consider what services and facilities we should be aiming to provide in the bedrooms when we start our refurbishment. The hotel will be operating in the mid 3 to 4 star market in close to the centre of Birmingham.

As a person who stays in hotels in this market on a regualr basis I have formed my own opion about what I expect to find but would like to know what other people think.

So what tell me what, in your opinion, you want to see in new bedrooms. To help here are my top 10:

1) Larger beds - 5 or 6 foot minimum with quality duvets, pillows and bedding.
2) TV with freeview
3) Ipod docking station
4) Free internet access
5) Good levels of lighting
6) Plenty of power sockets - at desk level
7) A good quality desk chair
8) 24 hour room service
9) Laptop Safe
10) Interesting biscuits on the tea and coffee tray

Post your views using the comments link below.

Thanks
Robert Smith