By Pamela Whitby:  Typically hotel businesses are non-technology firms but increasingly technology is intricately woven into day-to-day operations. “Digital was in a silo and in a way very separate,” explains Jim Abrahamson, Senior Director Mobile and Digital Product Management, Marriott International, “but now the two are coming together. This is something we are trying to achieve but it is not always easy to do.”

By Andrea Smith: Gogobot, the social travel and location-based recommendation site, recently conducted a survey of UK hotels and confirms what we've all been thinking — the more expensive hotels charged the most for Wi-Fi access. More than that, the Wi-Fi was at times spotty and unreliable.

By Javier Tovar: A shortage of hotel rooms has led Rio authorities to invest millions of dollars to convert raunchy motels to accommodate the legions of tourists expected for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 summer Olympics.

Adventure seekers and nature lovers can spend the night at one of these incredibly detailed hotels, which boast first-class suites made from snow and ice.

By Alan Campbell: We walk in to a hotel without ever stopping to think what it takes to make our entrance spectacular. The lobby has to be cleaned, hallways, entrance, and of course the rooms. There is an army of workers behind the scenes that we seldom see. These workers are the unsung heroes of the hotel industry.

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 Winsor Dobbin: David Levin, owner of the award-winning Capital and Levin boutique hotels in London and a mentor to leading chefs including Gary Rhodes, says guests are being offered lower standards of hospitality in many top Australian hotels than they might enjoy in their own homes.

By Dorene Internicola: From sightseeing city runs and nature hikes down country trails to surfing sessions, hotels are luring leisure and business clients outside their climate-controlled rooms for outdoor activities to keep fit while traveling for business or pleasure.

By Gillian Meier: There has been a lot of controversy around Google's many updates – such as Google's Hotel Finder – that have significantly impacted the travel and hospitality industry over the past two years. Hotels are crying out against the latest Google Hotel Finder while travel agents seem to be enjoying the spotlight that their businesses are receiving.