Q: I want to improve overall guest satisfaction in my guestrooms without investing in a remodel. What are some things I can do to improve my ratings?

A: One of the most overlooked topics in improving guestroom satisfaction is room smell. No matter how soft the sheets or how plush the complimentary robes, if the room has a displeasing odor, guest satisfaction will always be low.

If your rooms have a musty smell, check for mold behind the walls, in the bathrooms and under the vanity, and then replace all of the air filters. Black mold (also called toxic mold) is a big concern for the hotel industry, especially for properties located in Florida or near the Gulf Coast of Texas.

One way to control mold is to replace old thermostats with sensor controls. Mold tends to grow in temperatures ranging from 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 percent to 70 percent humidity. By switching to sensor control thermostats, you can help stop the growth of mold by increasing the temperature of the guestrooms by a couple of degrees when they are not occupied. If you discover mold at your property, call a certified mold expert to help eliminate the problem.

 If your hotel has recently converted to a smoke-free property or if there is a kitchen or a hotplate in your property, your guestrooms may be suffering from lingering odors. There are many products you can spray on draperies or carpeting to neutralize the smell, such as plug-in air ionizers or non-toxic odor eliminators. If the odor persists, you may need to repaint the room and steam clean all the draperies, carpet and furniture.

Q: I have installed compact fluorescent lightbulbs in my hotel lobby and guestrooms, but I haven't been consistent with the kind of lightbulbs I have chosen. Should I be concerned?

 A: Swapping your incandescent lightbulbs for CFLs is an easy first step to conserving energy. However, as lighting technology advances, it is important to not lose the ambiance your hotel designers intended by installing lightbulbs with lumens that are too high or too low.

 CFLs come in a variety of color temperatures described in Kelvin temperature. Typically they range from 2700K (warm white—closer to the red end of the spectrum) to 6500K (daylight—at the blue end of the spectrum). Those with a higher color temperature can emit a bluer hue than incandescent bulbs, which can make upholstery fabric or paint color appear differently if they were originally designed to be seen under incandescent lighting. When selecting lightbulbs, test out a room under a specific color temperature to make sure it enhances the décor to your liking, and then stick to that Kelvin temperate as you replace lamps.

 Geoff Feingold is the director of national accounts for HD Supply.

Room scent, lighting can make a difference

17 Nov, 2008 By: Geoff Feingold Hotel and Motel Management