Guest author: Mary Ann Hart, General Manager of Hampton Inn Batesville
Throughout my 24 years of working in hospitality, I’ve seen the industry persevere through many obstacles by changing its key practices and overall approach, and most recently, ultimately overcoming the aftermath of the 2008 recession.
Even today, as general manager of Hampton Inn Batesville, a position I’ve held for nearly 16 years, I am still witnessing the gradual upturn in business. During the last half of 2012, I’ve seen more leisure traffic than in many years’ past, with more people wanting to venture farther away from home as the economy slowly recovers.
This increase in business has also fueled a fundamental shift in business practices – moving more towards finding ways to satisfy the consumer’s needs, while remaining conscious of bottom line. One business practice in particular that we’ve begun implementing is sustainability – a venture that comes with many benefits, including appealing to green lodgers, preserving the environment and saving on costs.
An example of these benefits came into play when The Refinishing Touch completed a large-scale refinishing project at our Batesville location. At the time, we were looking for a solution to preserve our locally purchased case goods. We didn’t want to replace them, since they’re well liked amongst our guests and staff, and are very high-quality assets. After hearing positive feedback from a Hampton Inn corporate representative (whom The Refinishing Touch has worked with before), I was convinced – furniture asset management was the right solution for our hotel.
The Refinishing Touch team restored numerous wardrobes, desks, nightstands and luggage benches in 80 of our guest bedrooms, back to their original, like-new condition. Scratches and common wear were erased, all in a quick and seamless process. One of the best aspects of working with The Refinishing Touch was the fast on-site refinishing process, which helped us avoid completely shutting down the establishment. The production team was very conscious of our business operations, and when a block of rooms were occupied, they would only renovate them as they became vacant.
By investing in The Refinishing Touch’s furniture asset management services, we saved thousands of dollars, or about 80 percent in budget costs. Our case goods look new again, and we continue to receive positive feedback from guests and staff members alike. Not only did we save money, but we also saved an estimated 90 percent in carbon emissions, when compared to buying new furniture – helping reduce negative impact on the environment.
And Hampton Inn Batesville’s green initiatives do not stop there. We offer a towel and linen reuse program and have installed water aerators on our faucets, reducing water consumption. The free daily breakfast bar is equipped with ‘Enviroware’ plastic ware, a product that is easily compostable. We have also changed our light bulbs to become more energy efficient and provide recycling bins throughout the hotel.
If you are ever in Southeastern Indiana, why not book a stay at Hampton Inn Batesville and discover a balance of luxury, comfort and sustainability. We are conveniently located between Cincinnati and Indianapolis, right near golf courses, parks and water ways. To reserve your room today, visit our website.
For more information on The Refinishing Touch’s large-scale refinishing project at Hampton Inn Batesville, read the entire press release here.