THE 2021 GUIDE TO
GUESTROOM
AMENITIES
Choosing carefully:
2021 guide to guestroom amenities
Image courtesy of Hotel Products Direct
By Mandy Clarke, Editor
not have the experience to fully assist. Do they carry product data sheets and know the products characteristics? A good accommodation business should have insight into what they use, and a good supplier can help you with this.”
Guests love to find amenities in their hotel bathroom… They are excited to see which shampoo, body wash or soap you have carefully chosen for their use.
What are the latest trends when it comes to amenities and dispensers?
Why do guests have such a passion for bathroom amenities? My own theory is that it is all part of the accom stay ritual. Guests consider bathroom amenities a gift from you; something extra special that reflects the kind of experience they will receive at your property. Operators must contend with trends that come and go, in every aspect of providing a guest experience and, since the pandemic, our industry has seen more change than most! The size, shape and chosen brand of bathroom amenities evolves with hygiene and sustainability concerns, but guests will always want to stay in accommodation that promotes values that are equal to or that exceed their own. It may seem a small matter but choosing your bathroom amenities is an opportunity to shine and show what your accommodation stands for.
02
AccomNews - Winter 2021
Andrew and Judy Kloester
Andrew and Judy Kloester, Director and Designer from Hotel Products Direct, agree that people still get excited about hotel guest amenities… They say you can guarantee when a new guest arrives for the night, they will check the style and quantity of the complimentary amenities. It is one of the first things people do after unpacking. It is a little bit of excitement in a bottle, so why not work it to your best business advantage? Andrew explains…
What should managers think about when they change amenity suppliers? “Ask yourself, is the collection reflective of your property? Whether you are going for a classic or elegant look, an earthy-health
retreat or modern executive style, it should be reflected in your guest amenities. If you are feeling uncertain, ask your supplier for assistance, you may be surprised to find they hold a wider range than advertised online, or they can even customise a style to suit your brand of accommodation. If you are unsure about how popular a brand will be with your guests, a good secret is to look at the size of the brand’s collection." "Popular collections will usually include shower caps, dental kits, and sanitary bags in addition to the tubes and soaps etc. Less popular lines may only carry four tubes/bottles and a guest soap. Check that your supplier has industry know-how. If they are just a reseller only interested in the dollar value, they may
GUIDE TO GUESTROOM AMENITIES
“One of the latest trends that really got me excited were refillable glass 60ml bottles with shampoo, conditioner and body wash printed on them. I found them on my last trip to Thailand when I was staying in a 6-star resort just before COVID began. These individual bottles were strong and I know this because I inadvertently dropped them a couple of times on the tiles, and they did not break." "Personally, I prefer individual bottles to pump packs, if I am paying top dollar then I don’t want a share a bottle that everyone has handled. Closed draw amenities boxes are a great way to add items to a bathroom but also keep them out of view." "These can be filled with an assortment of items including some fun things like rosebuds or incense. Try not to be boring, throw something original into the mix!”
How has COVID-19 impacted the guest amenities landscape? “The guest amenities industry was rocked like the waves on an ocean. Over the past 12 months, just prior to the pandemic there was a big move towards bulk dispensers but once the pandemic hit, people did not want to touch used refillable bottles that may have been touched by many hands, so individual bottles made a resurgence. Hygiene is always at the forefront and should be paramount when making any decision on personal use products. Sanitiser gel and sachets are now an expected item in every room, we live in COVID times and prevention is better than cure. So, without a foreseeable end, this is the way to go.”
What are your current and future predictions for guest room amenities? “I would not be surprised to see the 15ml and 30ml bottles phased out for larger 60ml bottles, hence reducing plastic wastage. Dispensers will always have a place, especially in budget sensitive properties. The more exclusive brands of dispensers are a good option although guests are often sceptical of the bottles being refilled with generic liquids. The glass amenities mentioned earlier may also be a new benchmark if handled correctly, they certainly feel and look exclusive while maintaining class and hygiene. Biodegradable and recyclable products are at the forefront in everyone’s mind when it comes to hospitality.”
Tell us about bespoke amenities… “Bespoke amenities should reflect your property’s style. A spa-centre might offer massage oil and bath salts, whereas an executive penthouse presents linen spray and shoeshine. There are dozens of ideas that any good supplier can tailor to your property. As the property manager you are the maestro, and the memories you leave behind is the music, so play your best tunes and guests will rave about your property!”
What would you consider to be the essential guest room amenities supplies? “What is essential to one property may not be significant to another. It is often the small differences
Image courtesy of International Hotel Supply Company that make the biggest impact. Take for example a brand that simply offers a bamboo toothbrush and a timber shaver as its point of difference; its exclusive, upmarket and on-point with current trends. So whatever brand of amenities you decide, look for the point of difference that makes the loudest statement. This is key to success.” David Wright General Manager, Australia, NZ & Pacific Islands, International Hotel Supply Company also offered insights…
David Wright
What should managers think about when they change amenity suppliers? “It is important to take a holistic approach when looking into amenity suppliers. Not only is the amenity brand a key factor but the supplier’s distribution and supply chain management is crucial to a great partnership, particularly in uncertain times when lead time and global shipping has a significant impact on product availability. Large format dispensers are clearly a hot topic and there are a number of considerations when contemplating changing your amenities. There are pros and cons from a hygiene impact versus the guest experience, and the operational impact on housekeeping (labour and time) combined with their ability to implement SOP (standard
operating procedures) to refill bottles and replace used bottles every few months. It’s very important to understand the real motivation for change and the full cycle environmental impact and how this is measured.”
What are the latest trends when it comes to amenities and dispensers? “Popular trends for 2021 are: •
Australian brands
•
Natural Formulations
•
Non-refillable dispensers (theft proof and tamper proof)
•
Aesthetics: significant design improvements in the bracket systems that house the dispenser bottles, which are much more aligned with bathroom colours and trends.”
How has COVID-19 impacted the guest amenities landscape? “Supplier consolidation: Post COVID, hotels are running much leaner operational structures with less resources to manage supplies and on the ability to source a broad basket of goods from one source is very appealing. “Plan and forecast: Due to changing habits in guest bookings and travel restrictions it has become increasingly challenging for hotels to plan and forecast stock usage as well as manage budgets. Having regular communication between suppliers and customers is a great way to help work through these challenges and be aligned on the support available and the best way forward operationally. “Shipping: Significant increases in costs and extended lead times globally have had significant impact on local supply. We
GUIDE TO GUESTROOM AMENITIES
are in a global pandemic and there does seem to be a greater understanding on the macro environment.”
What are your current and future predictions for guest room amenities? “My current predictions are that there will be a period of consolidation, then global brands will trend set large format, and others will wait and see the impact to guest experience midterm. The jury is still out on future predictions but, we will likely see a continued need for a mixture of both miniatures and dispensers. This will be dependent on geographical locations, target markets and hotel’s position. A rise in CSR Aligned Brands. These are brands that have a robust story and action plan around key CSR aspects.”
Tell us about bespoke amenities… “Amenity customisation (their design/logo) is a shrinking market with a swing towards retail brands. Hotels are seeking an exclusive and new offering that is aligned with their core attributes and the experience they want to offer. They do not necessarily see the value in putting their logo on the product. Given the importance of getting guests through the door there is a preference towards leveraging the guest experience and offering consistency to ensure repeat business.”
What would you consider to be the essential guest room amenities supplies? “There is no denying that guests love to extend the memory of their stay beyond check out time. The retention of a small bar of soap or lotion is key to providing a ‘take home’ product whilst still utilising large format dispensers.” AccomNews - Winter 2021
03
The essential guide to hotel solutions by International Hotel Supply Company For 150 years our company has lived and breathed Hotels. With passion for the industry, the right footprint and the expertise derived from this tenure IHSC acquired the distribution arm of the Hunter & Concept Amenities business to launch in Australia and the Pacific region in 2018. We now serve customers in more than 170 countries with sales offices in the Netherlands, Dubai, China, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Australia. Being the only genuinely global hospitality supplier, our mission is to help our customers create memorable guest experiences and achieve brand consistency across multiple geographic markets; a crucial reason most of the top global chains work with us. Since the inception into Oceania in 2018, we have established a national distribution footprint, expanded our product portfolio, and aligned with key brand partners. We have drawn upon our vast years of international market experience to develop a new and innovative supply solution locally for hotels in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific that has not been seen before.
With our unmatched industry expertise, we deliver exactly what customers need, when they need it. We define ourselves by being experts in Sourcing, Distribution and Consolidation so our customers can focus on what matters most - their guests.
Sustainability
Our Strategy People and partnerships continue to drive everything we do. Our key focuses are:
In order to provide a single distribution point for our customers we have further strengthened our position in collaboration with our key brand partners to offer the best products in the market that can be delivered in two days to most capital cities via our national distribution footprint in Melbourne,Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane.
Our Mission International Hotel Supply Company helps the world’s hotels create memorable guest experiences. As a family of companies, our collective mission is to be the most valued supplier of hospitality products, everywhere around the world.
FR AGRA NC E FRAGRANCE
SPA SPA
•
To work with the 10 largest hotel groups in the world to offer a global solution
•
Support your global ambitions and adapt to customer opportunities
•
Invest where needed
•
Offer global sourcing capabilities
•
Be a single source for hospitality
•
Think global and act local
•
Provide a dedicated sales force and customer service team
AccomNews - Winter 2021
Why work with us
Our customers rely on our vast product assortment, our design and procurement capabilities and our supply chain excellence.
HAIRCARE HAIRCARE
We continually adopt practices to help protect our environment and strengthen our organizational sustainability and have also established philanthropic initiatives to support the wellbeing of our communities. Some of our green initiatives include recycling programs, supporting green vendors, promoting greener products, conserving energy within the office & distribution centres and going paperless where possible.
Our Method
Taking you through the various areas of the hotel our catalogue, The Essential Guide to Hotel Solutions, goes the extra mile in providing you with product codes, high quality images, product specifications and key features & benefits so that you can make an informed decision on your purchase.
Above and beyond this we work collaboratively with our customers to produce branded collateral for all your important guest touchpoints and source SKINCARE SKINCARE items specifically for you. Ordering has never been easier and in your own time you can place orders via our Webshop and expect an on-time, in-full delivery not long after your order is placed.
In a post COVID-19 world, Hotels are looking to operate leaner structures and simplify their hotel’s operation so our expansive portfolio has been tailored with high-quality, in-stock and sustainable products with a sole focus on the Hotel Industry.
04
At International Hotel Supply Company, we embrace our responsibility to make a positive impact on the people we serve, the products we bring to market, and the planet we are privileged to share.
We look forward to working with you to simplify your hotel purchasing and help you deliver memorable guest experiences. GUIDE TO GUESTROOM AMENITIES
LIFE LIFES
IHSC has drawn upon its international market experience to develop a new and innovative supply solution for hotels in Australia, NZ and the Pacif ic. We offer our customers a national distribution footprint, an expansive portfolio and alignment with key brand partners. Delight and pamper your guests f rom our extensive collection of every day products and luxury brands, available in a range of formats f rom miniatures to dispensers.
Download our Catalogue Here: The Essential Guide to Hotel Solutions
Soap Aid Australian based charity has a created vegan and skin-loving collection to help support their mission to save children’s lives.
Ideology With 100% Australian botanical extracts of Kakadu Plum and Kangaroo Apple, Ideology is an unrivalled bath and body collection.
Apotheke A luxury home f ragrance brand founded in New York and inspired by the unexpected beauty found in life’s simple moments.
Kudos Coastal Beach inspired and enriched with tropical coconut extracts and an intoxicating scent, escape f rom the everyday with Kudos Coastal.
Do Good with Impact IHSC are proud to partner with Hunter Amenities; one of the world’s largest global manufacturers of guest bath and body collections with a focus on sustainability:
FEST YLE FESTYLE
Certif ied Low Co2 business Skin-loving formulations Cruelty f ree products Ethically sourced ingredients Support for environmental and charitable programs Portfolio of carbon neutral products Let us inspire and create a memorable guest experience that adds values to your business and rewards guests. CERTIFICATION #LC335
100%
Global Experts. | Innovative Leaders. | Luxurious Brands. Order Online www.internationalhotelsupply.com.au | P: +61 3 9580 9977 | E: ausupport@internationalhotel.com GUIDE TO GUESTROOM AMENITIES AccomNews - Winter 2021
05
Why hospitality businesses must always use high quality commercial linens and towels At the end of the day, hospitality businesses must take note of the question – How do I want my guests to remember their stay? Says Judy the designer of Hotel Products Direct. Regardless of whether you’re gunning for the title of the most benevolent hotel or advocating your foundation’s fabulous area, you will all agree on something: you need to provide them with the utmost comfort necessary. More than the vacation destinations, your guests can appreciate only a short distance from your hotel or oodles of cash that they can spare, and by the day’s end – truly everything comes down to your guests’ appreciation of their rooms. A huge piece of your guests’ general housing experience is the commercial linens and towels you give. No top-of-the-line backdrop or extravagant vintage furniture can add up to the distinction
materials make during their stay especially on snow season. Settling on the correct decision on your commercial linens and towels can likewise spell an immense distinction in your overhead expenses. Below is a short overview of commercial linens and towels and why hospitality businesses must always use them.
Egyptian and Poly Cotton: For Durability and Softness of Commercial Linens Speaking to Andrew, the director of Hotel Products Direct, The quality of commercial linens are often measured by weight, not thread count. A retail sheet will weigh in at 90 – 100 GSM (Grams per square metre) where as a high quality commercial sheet will weigh in at 140 – 175 GSM. As well as being incredibly durable and gloriously soft, Egyptian cotton commercial linens and towels is less likely to produce lint or pilling, becomes
softer with age and washing and is much, much lighter than short staple cottons. Another advantage of heavy weight commercial linens over retail linen is that they are much thicker and therefore hold a higher absorbency rate, leaving your body dry against the sheet without any sticking. Egyptian cotton commercial sheets are ideal for hot, tropical and humid climates such as Queensland and the Northern Territory, while Commercial grade Poly-Cotton sheets such as the 175GSM sold by Hotel Products Direct are move favoured in the cooler climates as found in Victoria and Tasmania. They are refreshingly breathable during hot summer months and yet still insulating during winter. Just imagine how fantastic your guests will feel after sleeping soundly under such soothing sheets. They come in either loose and in sets if you purchase from Hotel Products Direct. Commercial linens and towels can greatly benefit guest house owners too. Due to their commercial weave, also known as a complex weave, these sheets are less likely to suffer from fibre loss when laundering, even under the toughest of industrial washes they will outlast any retail brand of Sheet or towel that are found in most retail outlets. Did you know that our 50/50 sheets are good for up to 700 washes. They maintain their structure and vibrancy when cleaned and not leave your guestrooms looking shabby or worn out. It is also worth remembering that commercial linens and
06
AccomNews - Winter 2021
GUIDE TO GUESTROOM AMENITIES
towels owes its durability and quality to the long staple length of the cotton fibre, meaning that cotton products that aren’t made of poly cotton but still possess this luxurious asset are of just as high a quality. It is also worth noting that our commercial towels and linen don’t come in any fancy packaging. Hotel don’t need the fancy packaging, so your not paying for the rubbish that goes in the bin and for that very reason can often cost less to purchase.
High-Quality and Functional Commercial Towels and sheets This is just the notion to bear in mind when looking to make a purchase of commercial towels. The thread count must ensure a really comfortable, luxurious feeling product. Rest assured you will find commercial towels, tea towels, cotton bathrobes and pool towels that are both high quality and functional. There is a wide selection of both 175GSM Poly cotton and 140GSM Egyptian cotton flat and fitted sheets from SB, LSB, DB, QB, KB and a wide selection of matching pillowcases including both King and European sizes. Sometimes there’s no substitute for just feeling the product before you buy it. Visit Hotel Products Direct showroom in Melbourne or the website for more information on commercial sheets. We have Poly Cotton and Egyptian cotton Duvet covers, pillows and protectors loose and in sets depending on your product needs and preferences.
HOTEL PRODUCTS DIRECT
THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN ONLINE ACCOMMODATION SUPPLIES
Bath Robes & Slippers
Guest Amenities
Mini Bar Supplies
Towels
Andrew & Judy Kloester Director & Designer
Bed Linen
Breakfast Provisions
Tea & Coffee
SHOP ONLINE OR VISIT OUR SHOWROOM HOTEL PRODUCTS DIRECT Importers & Distributors of Exclusive Guest Amenties & Custom Branding Available
35 Steane St, Fairfield VIC 3078 I 1300 651 355 hotelproductsdirect.com.au I sales@hotelproductsdirect.com.au GUIDE TO GUESTROOM AMENITIES
Luggage Stands AccomNews - Winter 2021
07
6XNLQ 1DWXUDOV
$VKOH\ &R
7ZR *RRG &R
/2&$/ ,6 7+( 1(:
/8;85<
5HDO %UDQGV /RFDOO\ 0DGH 6DOXV
6KRUWHU /HDG 7LPHV $XWKHQWLF ([SHULHQFHV 6PDOOHU &DUERQ )RRWSULQWV
*URZQ $OFKHPLVW
6HUHQGLSLW\ 6NLQFDUH
,17(51$7,21$/ ,17(5,25 ,0$*(6 LQIR#LQWHULRU LPDJHV FRP DX ::: ,17(5,25 ,0$*(6 &20 $8 $&&$ .$33$ ƒ $1<$+ ƒ $6+/(< &2 ƒ $63$5 ƒ ',37<48( ƒ (&2<$ ƒ ) 5 ( 7 7 ( ƒ ) , 5 6 7 : ( & / ( $ 1 ƒ * ( 1 ( 9 $ * 5 ( ( 1 * , / & + 5 L 6 7 6 2 $ 0 ( 6 ƒ * 5 2 : 1 $ / & + ( 0 , 6 7 ƒ . 8 % ( 6 < 6 7 ( 0 6 ƒ 0 $ / , 1 * 2 ( 7 = ƒ 1 $ 7 8 5 $ % , 6 6 e ƒ 2 5 $ 1 $ ƒ 3 5 , - $ 6$/86 ƒ 6$/9$725( )(55$*$02 ƒ 6(5(1',3,7< ƒ 68%7/( (1(5*,(6 ƒௐ68.,1 ƒ 7:2 *22' &2