By Valerie J. Wilson: It’s all about being unique and thinking of the details that no other hotels think of.

Bob Taylor: In our consulting practice we frequently encounter managers that proclaim empathy as a professional strength, only to discover their real talent is being a good listener. That’s great and important, but it isn’t the same thing as being empathetic. Expressing empathy requires us to actually engage the individual, talk to them, use real words and, dare I say it, send some non-verbal messages, too.

Julie Weed: Hotels are changing the way guests check in to their rooms, eliminating the traditional stop at the front desk to speed up, simplify and, in some cases, personalize the process.

Nomadic Matt: I think travel makes everybody a more awesome person. We end our travels way better off than when we started. I’m not saying this to be conceited or egotistical; I’m saying it because I believe that travel is something that makes you not only a better human being, but a way cooler one too. The kind of person people gravitate towards and want to be around.

Mike Oppenheim, M.D: An FBI agent, a guest in an airport hotel, was suffering a bad cough. He informed me that this happened every year, and his doctor knocked it out with an antibiotic.

Alan Campbell discusses what hoteliers should be looking for when choosing a site to build a hotel.

By Steve Cokkinias: A veteran of the hospitality industry, Steve has many entertaining stories up his sleeve. Each Wednesday he will share a story on ehotelier.

By Helen Leggatt: It's all about optimizing for mobile in today's on-the-go world. But, what about online surveys? According to SurveyGizmo's latest benchmark report, a significant rise in the number of surveys completed on a mobile device means they need a mobile makeover, too.

By Aoife Dowling: More than two-thirds of travel agents saw positive growth in hotel, resort and destination spa bookings last year, according to a new SpaFinder Wellness survey.