Who doesn’t love a beach vacation? The sun, the sand, and the ocean all come together to make for a relaxing getaway that, when complete, will send you home rested and relaxed — and hopefully with a tan! Where you stay, however, can make a big difference on just how fabulous your beach trip is. That’s why we’ve found the 15 most decadent hotels on the sand to ensure that you enjoy the ultimate beachfront luxury.

By feature writer Gordon James Gorman: As concerns mount for the fading health of one of history’s most courageous and inspiring leaders, I wanted to share with my fellow ehotelier readers my memories of the “Big Man” from the time I spent looking after him at the Glasgow Hilton in 1993 during his first visit abroad, after being released from decades of detention, and how a few gently spoken words from him about the challenges of leadership changed my life forever.

By feature writer Mary Ylisela: Anyone in the hospitality industry knows how important it is to be able to get things done in an efficient manner. Accounting is a big part of back office operations since it helps maintain the flow of payments coming in and going out. Appropriate financial software can be instrumental in performing accounting tasks with efficiency and accuracy. There is a variety of accounting software programs available for those in the hotel industry. Read on for further information to determine which one might serve a hotel best.

By feature writer Alan Campbell: In recent articles that I have read there seems to be a debate on what to do with the in room phone – do we get rid of it, or what can be done to tech it up somewhat?

By Susan Stellin: With all the complaints about escalating fees that travellers have to pay, another pricing trend is on the rise that some customers may actually like: paid upgrades.

By Jill Becker: Whenever a new hotel opens, guests are quick to flock there, clamoring for its shiny new rooms and state-of-the-art features. But there's something to be said for staying at a venerable older property, like these top-rated hotels that are each celebrating their centennial this year.

By feature writer Benjamin Jost: The truth is, you can take a hotel executive out of his/her hotel, but you can’t take the hotel industry out of his/her blood. True-blood hoteliers have a condition that I refer to as the Hospitality Gene: super-hyper attention to every last detail. It’s a lingering condition. Even when you leave the hotel, you can’t turn off your checklist. It is a blessing. And a beast.

By feature writer Tom Costello: Every hotel sales manager who is prospecting for new customers will eventually get involved in a conversation with that prospect to discuss his needs and to find out if the sales manager’s hotel can provide the amenities, location and rate that can turn the prospect into a customer. This post is not about your sales pitch or handling objections but how to included some of the important elements of a conversation that allows you to have better control of the conversation and ensure that your prospect is better able to respond.

By feature writer Gordon James Gorman: Yasir, our hearing and speech impaired shoe shine butler is the staff member most often mentioned in our guest comments, as he is the first and the last person many of our guests see when arriving and departing from the hotel lobby, where he sits regally throughout the day on his Rosewood throne, waiting for the next recipient of his big smile and his highly “polished” shoe shine routine.

By GuestCentric: Marketing and selling hotel rooms online is changing. Travellers are constantly looking for an edge, something that reflects digital innovation from hotel brands. Some years ago this meant having a website and a basic booking engine. However, satisfying your guests' basic needs will no longer pave the way to success. Today, this means reaching for the device in your customer's pocket!