HOTEL BARS
RAISING THE BAR With the help of some of the industry’s biggest names, we explore how a quirky bar situated on-site at an overnight stay venue can be one of the simplest ways to add revenue to a business.
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ach hotel has a significant feature which decides where they are positioned competitively in the industry. This particular feature contributes greatly to the success of the site and determines how great the footfall
is. We now live in a time where convenience is key to guests when looking for their next overnight stay. Whether it be a pit stop during a long journey, a romantic getaway, or a solo self-care stay, a hotel bar is one way to enhance a customer’s experience as well as the atmosphere of a space. It goes without saying that a bar is one of the key revenue-generating areas of the food and beverage service department in the hotel industry. It all comes down to ‘getting the guests in’ and we don’t just mean those who are visiting the hotel; your hotel is there to be used by the wider public and passers-by too. Paul Rafferty, Deputy General Manager of The Mayfair Townhouse and The Dandy Bar, revealed that he sees it is important for guests staying at The Mayfair Townhouse to
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also enjoy a drink at their on-site bar. This demonstrates that the hotel is somewhere they want to spend time, as they feel welcomed and comfortable. It also allows for guests to enrich their overall stay experience and are then more likely to return, because not only did they purchase a comfortable room to spend the night in, but also time in a first-class bar with a delicious selection. “The friendly and knowledgeable staff are largely responsible for ensuring guests feel welcomed and comfortable, and want to spend time in The Dandy Bar. We ensure all staff can efficiently handle queries and that they are trained to recognise and capture guest preferences. In doing so, guests can be surprised with small acts of kindness, delivering the hotel’s aim to ‘expect the unexpected’. As an example, during our check-in process, we offer to escort every guest to their room/suite and this is an opportunity for us to upsell our services and gather data – which is then relayed to the appropriate operational team.” Explained Paul. We asked Paul for his tips on making a bar appealing, to which he answered: “Elegant but comfortable interior,
