ARTICLES

Our series of articles

Series of Articles

News & Views from Suzanne Q Solutions

| Hotels & Hospitality, Luxury & Experiences

This is a series based on news in luxury and hospitality and views from Suzanne Q Solutions. They may be triggered by news in the industry or in relation so specific brands, activities or events or inspired by visits.

 

Guest Experience in Luxury and Hospitality

May 2024 | Luxury & Experiences, Luxury Hotels & Hospitality

A series of articles that looks at the guest or client experience and how it can build emotional engagement in both luxury and hospitality.

In the world of hospitality, experiences play a crucial role in creating lasting memories for guests. While everyone may talk about the ideal guest experience, it’s essential to recognize that not all experiences are created equal. What truly sets a guest experience apart and makes it unforgettable?

Here are just some thoughts of how to make an experience relevant to the individual and more memorable, whether through cultural sensitivity, personalization or use of storytelling.

The meaning of space for luxury hotels and hospitality

May - June 2020 | Luxury & Experiences, Luxury Hotels & Hospitality

A series of articles that explores space in relation to luxury hotels and hospitality and identifies opportunities for hoteliers to create space – or a sense of space – that meets the needs and demands of luxury travelers and guests today.

Given the current coronavirus outbreak, physical space has become increasingly critical, whether in the context of social distancing or simply the lack of it. As we look to the future, our consideration of physical space and how we feel about it as a guest, but also how hotel brands can provide it, is likely to become increasingly important. In this article, I will examine physical space and its relevance to luxury hospitality that goes beyond being simply a response to the current situation.

A few years ago, I wrote a series on “Redefining luxury in hospitality”. One thing I didn’t mention then was space. But even before the emergence of Covid-19, I recognized that luxury is about space – physical space, but also the broader concept of space and what it means for people – and no more so than in hotels and hospitality.

Luxury hotels and a ‘sense of place’

February - March 2020 | Luxury & Experiences, Luxury Hotels & Hospitality

A series that explores luxury hotels and how a ‘sense of place’ can help differentiate a luxury hotel and build loyalty.

‘Sense of place’ has long been a buzz phrase. Linked to a range of disciplines from urban planning to sociology, nowadays it is increasingly being used in the hospitality industry. It captures the physical aspects, culture and history of a place, as well as its impact on the senses, which can trigger emotions. Over time, it can create feelings of familiarity, comfort and security, as well as a sense of belonging: it’s a place where one feels, quite literally, ‘at home’.

In hospitality, ‘sense of place’ has obvious relevance. When I asked a well-traveled colleague what ‘sense of place’ meant to him, he told me it’s all about “emotional connection, historical resonance … but also a deeper and more textured story than just the place.”

On recent trips to Paris, Hong Kong and Dubai, I explored and reflected on the meaning of ‘sense of place’ in the context of luxury hotels as a means of differentiation and the opportunity it ultimately presents for building loyalty.

Redefining luxury in hospitality

May - June 2017 | Luxury Hotels & Hospitality

A series of articles on luxury hospitality based on interviews with leading hoteliers in Paris, which examines key pillars that define the luxury hotel, or more specially, the Palace, and the role of innovation in luxury hospitality.

If you ask friends and colleagues who appreciate the finer things in life ‘what defines a luxury hotel?’, you’ll likely get a range of responses from mod cons – with everything from a decent restaurant to a spa – to seamless, exceptional service and décor. All at a price justifying the offering and experience.

In the classroom, when I polled my students, words such as ‘elegance’, ‘glamorous’, ‘experience’, ‘personalized service’, ‘perfection’, and ‘amazing’ came up. But so too did words like ‘classic’, ‘tradition’, ‘super-modern’ and ‘design’.

On a recent fact-finding trip to Paris I set out to discover what the concept means to leading hoteliers living and working in the ‘home’ of luxury.

The power of luxury hospitality in luxury today

November 2017 | Luxury & Experiences, Luxury Hotels & Hospitality

Luxury brands are expanding into the hospitality industry to engage their consumers and create loyalty through unique and multisensorial experiences.

Within the total luxury industry, the delivery of luxury experiences is booming – much of which is driven by hospitality. “Luxury experiences,” as defined by Bain & Company, accounted for more than 29% of the total global luxury market and grew 5% faster than the total personal luxury goods segment in 2016. These experiences include luxury hotels, cruises and restaurants, as well as fine wines, spirits and food.

Luxury hospitality brands are well placed to deliver the experiences that today’s luxury clients seem to crave. But it’s not just hospitality brands that are focusing on creating experiences – personal luxury goods brands are also increasingly using experiences to engage clients, create buzz and build loyalty.

Experiential luxury

September - October 2017 | Luxury & Experiences

A series of articles that explores experiential luxury in the context of luxury brands as well as the power of hospitality in luxury today and how to deliver luxury experiences.

Experiences have always been intrinsic to luxury. They are associated with some of luxury’s key characteristics such as heritage and craftsmanship, as well as the human element in customization, personalization and service.

In the luxury world, intangible characteristics, such as experiences, are fundamental to creating value and motivating purchase. Today, the experience that always surrounds luxury has become increasingly important as “the client” for luxury — and their expectations — have changed…and so has the meaning of luxury.

The power of luxury in China

July 2013 - September 2013 - September 2017 | Luxury in China

How luxury and the luxury client has evolved and meeting the needs of today’s Chinese luxury clients.

Article 1: China provides a perfect example of the differences between luxury ownership and experience and why demand for experiences in luxury is growing.

Published as a blog series by Glion Institute of Higher Education.

Article 2: The opportunities for international marketers of luxury brands in China. But also, the dilemmas they face and the choices they need to make to attract the newly affluent Chinese consumer.

Published by The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Based on an interview with Dr. Suzanne Godfrey. Written by Louisa Wah Hansen.

Article 3: If International luxury brands want to succeed in China, they can’t be all things to all consumers. Whether they will succeed in capturing the lucrative yet ever-evolving market in China depends on how they manage to understand and anticipate the demands of the luxury client and how they play out their expansion strategy in a way that does not dilute their brand value.

Published by The Peak, Hong Kong. Based on an interview with Dr. Suzanne Godfrey. Written by Louisa Wah Hansen.

The Art of Luxury Leadership

September 2018 | Luxury & Leadership

Behind every great luxury brand is great leadership. But what makes a leader effective?

Balance, as Scott Stephenson points out, is certainly key. The CEO of Verisk Analytics believes that exceptional leaders are those who take a dual approach, giving vision and direction from afar while also leading by example and providing mentorship up close. He also notes their ability to anticipate short- and long-term consequences, with “one foot firmly planted in today and one foot firmly planted well into the future.”

Brands can help Myanmar

July 2015 | Brands in Emerging Markets

The role that brands play in people’s lives in emerging markets and the opportunities that this creates.

MNCs are excited about Myanmar. But how can they serve the country? Can brands close the gap between the excitement and doubt of today and the promise of tomorrow for Millennials? This article delves into the country’s culture and history to determine the place brands can occupy in people’s lives.