Originally Posted by
hockeyinsider
This raises an interesting question. I mused about it once in a thread here on Flyer Talk.
Internationally, working in hotels -- particularly 4-star, 5-star hotels -- is prestigious. People go to hotelier schools and study it. They spend an entire career in the industry.
By contrast, at least outside of management and maybe the chef in the kitchen, hotel jobs aren't that great here in North America. They're a job, not necessarily a career. I can't imagine many of the front desk clerks at the Des Moines Marriott are getting more than minimum wage. Few seem to speak second or third languages, outside of major hotels in big cities. By contrast, you go to a Marriott in Europe or Asia and the 20-something working the front desk speaks two language and studied hotel management or hospitality in school.
I also question how many people working in hotels have ever stayed in hotels. Sometimes you feel like the answer is few and far between, judging from design flaws in rooms.
Great points. It highlights the main difference isn't between the hotels -- it's really about an engaged GM who went to Cornell or one of the other hotel schools and understands the business, as opposed to it being a job. Some of those people work in all the hotel chains in the US.
The Pennisula has great hotels but not much of a loyalty program or footprint. Plus I'd never put it on an expense account, sigh.
And, I think the difference between the legacy SPG crowd and the legacy Marrott crowd is that many of us could be in Des Moines or Dubai so while SPG has great properties in Dubai, it doesn't really work. Happy to have both now.