Accor SA (AC), Europe’s largest hotel operator, said third-quarter revenue fell 3.1 percent because of the euro’s strength and divestments. Sales declined to 1.44 billion euros ($2 billion) from 1.49 billion euros a year earlier, the Paris-based owner of the Sofitel and Ibis brands said in a statement today.

By feature writer Bärbel Pfeiffer: For decades now, hotel marketing online and off follows the same pattern and approach: To attract prospective hotel guests, it presents glamorous images of accommodations and locations, supported by more or less creative content, clever pricing and occasionally a really unique service offer. “A picture is worth a thousand words” is indeed a strategy that works but, does one uniform concept significantly make you stand out from your competition?

By feature writer Brett Patten: When it comes to creating a memorable guest experience, what has the ability to achieve a high level of customer loyalty conversion?

The 25 press correspondents and journalists from a selection of the world's most important media that make up the jury of the Villegiature Awards have announced the winners of the trophies for the Best hotels in Europe, Africa and Asia.

By feature writer Renee Radia: By now, you have likely heard about three specific types of media, all of which are integral to the success of your hotel's online marketing strategy. Paid, owned, and earned media, all while falling under the same general umbrella, vary in many ways. The following should give you a quick refresher of each type of media.

By Craig Offman: Fresh-cut flowers. Bathrooms as large as Roman temples. Curtains that make a room darker than an Ottoman prison. These are some of the ways first-rate hotels pamper their plutocrats. But woe to the five-star property that ignores social media: The public pillorying is too great a risk. If a customer on TripAdvisor says her room is too cold, a hotel manager had better jump on that complaint with Jeeves-like dispatch.

Forty-seven percent of business travels prioritize ‘green' hotels when on the road, according to the 2013 Global Business Traveler Survey published by Timetric. Environmentally conscious, well-informed travellers expect hotels to do more than just provide a comfortable place to stay. They want to know and SEE that the hotel they have chosen implements energy-efficient practices and is eco-friendly in many ways.

Whether it is hours of exhilarating water sports or a romantic moonlit dinner by the sea, everyone has their own idea of what the perfect beach vacation should comprise. No matter your preference, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts can make that dream resort getaway a reality. With world-class resorts across the globe, guests will be spoilt for choice as they decide between Polynesian sunsets, amazing Balinese seascapes or the golden sand of the Middle East.

TripAdvisor® today launches its innovative TripConnectTMservice. The self-service platform, a first for the hospitality sector, allows TripAdvisor Business Listings subscribers to participate in Hotel Price Comparison and to drive direct bookings from TripAdvisor to their own property's website.

By feature writer Alan Fairweather: Don't you just hate it when things go wrong? You have an angry guest to deal with who's been let down by some aspect of your facilities or service. It may even be an internal customer, a colleague or even one of your team who's unhappy with your service to them. Don't panic! This is a fantastic opportunity to show just how good your customer service really is.