Welcome to the Resort Richard

One evening just a few weeks in the past I used to be having dinner with three lodge executives and a gentleman who’s a lodge investor. It was an off-the-cuff, “off-the-record” dinner.

Throughout the dialog, I used to be requested to explain my concept of the “good new lodge idea.” I stumbled a bit in my response, not anticipating the query, however I later put collectively just a few ideas in writing. I believed I might share a few of my random suggestions with you right here. That is the primary of two installments.

Location/dimension: The 75- to 150-room Resort Richard will characteristic a novel trendy inside positioned in a restaurant-rich, up-and-coming, low-crime neighborhood of a second-tier metropolis. 

The entrance window: One facet of the doorway, clearly seen from the road, will characteristic a well-lit, live-in “workplace” for the three live-in members of the property’s Labrador Concierge Group. Passersby would be capable to observe the canines enjoyable throughout their off hours. Throughout the day, they’d be obtainable to accompany visitors on metropolis walks with advisable dog-friendly routes obtainable. The Labrador Concierge Group would additionally greet arriving visitors and bid goodbye to others. 

Examine-in: The Richard will characteristic the trade’s solely “30-Second Examine-In.” No bank card would ever be requested. Friends could be handled like they have been getting into a good friend’s dwelling, and no good friend ever asks to your bank card on arrival. As a substitute, all financials could be arrange on-line prematurely so that each one the Arrival/Farewell Desk has to do is greet the visitors and current them with a packet that features their room keys and a small e book telling visitors all the pieces they should know in regards to the lodge in a lightweight, humorous model.

Signage: No, we can’t do signage. These within the know — effectively, they know tips on how to discover us. There shall be a Richard Wall within the foyer that includes framed pictures of two dozen well-known “Richards,” however nobody will know who’s the property’s true namesake.

Resort supervisor location: Our aim is to position the on-duty supervisor straight within the midst of “the motion.” The supervisor’s workplace shall be within the foyer, near the elevators. The workplace shall be an open house, and managers can provide drinks to visitors whereas personally greeting new arrivals and people departing. Each visitor will cross straight by the Resort Richard supervisor a number of instances every day of their keep. In fact, managers have work to do, so we can have sufficient administration workers to do crucial paperwork in addition to meet and greet visitors.

Meals and beverage: The Resort Richard won’t try and compete with space eating places. Our aim shall be to fulfill sure however not all meals calls for on the lowest attainable meals and labor prices. We can have one menu at our lobby-based Extremely Take-Out station. We are going to carry refrigerated sandwiches solely — three — chosen as the perfect in our metropolis from three well-known sandwich emporiums. We are going to put together lattes and a minimal number of different drinks. However we won’t have in-room supply.

The unique water wall: Within the foyer space, we’d characteristic the trade’s first “water wall,” the place show cabinets characteristic waters from world wide. Friends can choose their preferences and pay for them on the Extremely Take-Out. The backdrop of the water wall shall be a map of the world exhibiting locations whose water is featured.