By the JMBM Global Hospitality Group®: We are at the beginning of what looks to be a renaissance of "hotel-retail mixed-use" development. Shopping center developers nationwide are exploring the feasibility of adding a hotels to existing retail properties, while others are already implementing plans that have been in the pipeline. Some are adding hotels to the mix for new ground up development. Fueling this trend is research showing that both retailers and hoteliers make huge gains in revenue when they come together in the "hotel-retail mixed-use" environment.

By Derek Irvine: Trust your employees. You hired them for their skills, knowledge and talents. Unless they need you, get out of their way and let them do what they do best.

BluSky Marketing, a boutique marketing consultancy specialising in the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism sectors, has released its latest Luxury Hotel Benchmarking Report based on the results from the Online Hotel Guest Experience Survey Programme.

By Jay-Jay Stephens: As people become more and more conscious about their own impact on the environment they begin to adopt a more responsible approach towards travel which has led to a greater demand for more sustainable accommodation regardless of budget. Here are five examples of some of the world's most sustainable hotels whose unique and individual approach to sustainability should be admired.

In the context of the brand's significant expansion in Asia, including the opening of a Sofitel So label property in Singapore city, Sofitel Luxury Hotels has commissioned Karl Lagerfeld to design the emblem of the new Sofitel So Singapore.

By Alex Skjong: Nothing hits the spot quite like a chilled brew after a long day and, because sometimes the longest of days can come when you’re on the road, hotels have been upping the ante when it comes to the art of the beer. We sifted through the hops and barley and found five hotels particularly suited for thirsty travellers.

More than one in ten hospitality and leisure operators now generate up to half of all sales through social media according to new research from Barclays, but despite this the industry still questions its business potential.

Benchmark Hotels & Resorts announces the "Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2013" as observed by its properties.  Benchmark Hospitality International is a leading US-based hospitality management company, which operates 39 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centers coast to coast and off shore.

By Dennis Schaal: Get ready for some annoying new hotel fees, such as minibar restocking and baggage holding fees, in 2013 as projected modest occupancy increases embolden hotels to tack on new fees and surcharges even for their most loyal guests.