As a hotel marketer, it really, really bugs me when I see hotel blogs (or worse, websites!) with AdSense on them.  That tells me a few things:

1. You’re willing to trade a potential $300+ room booking for $0.10 in click commission
2. You don’t understand the value of branding
3. You don’t know what you’re doing

Your blog’s purpose is to book more rooms.  Don’t jeopardize that opportunity for a few cents.

It makes you look bad.

Continuing on yesterday’s idea of using cutting-edge technology as a marketing tactic, reader Fred pointed out Chicago’s Hotel Sax.  In another partnership with Microsoft, they have created an experience for their tech-savvy guests that led the Chicago Tribune to crown them “king of next-generation hotels.”

From their website:

“Playfulness and Sophistication are not mutually exclusive. You discover this throughout Hotel Sax Chicago, where a unique partnership with Microsoft blends technology and entertainment seamlessly with high-end luxury. Select guestrooms feature Zune mp3 players and Xbox game stations adjacent to top-shelf mini bars and private dining menus. A one-of-a-kind Microsoft-powered luxury entertainment lounge invites every guest to play, watch, listen, relax.”

(Credit: Hotels Magazine)

Offering free WiFi is a nice start, but it isn’t remarkable anymore. 

What new technology could position your hotel as a market innovator?

Springwise shares how Sheraton Hotels is using technology to turn deserted hotel lobbies into activity planning centers for guests.  Launched last week in Sheraton’s Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle hotels, 30-inch displays using Microsoft’s Surface technology allow guests to find local attractions.

(Credit: Stefanie Olsen/CNET News)

How else could you use technology to engage your guests and build brand loyalty?