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by: Patrick Quek

PKF Consulting has been surveying the U.S. hotel industry since 1929.  During that time, we have amassed a database of lodging statistics that boggles the mind.  This extensive pool of information allows us to provide a variety of publications, presentations, seminars, white papers, and articles that benefit the industry at large.

During this holiday season, I’d like to move to the lighter side and share with you some statistics from the “dark side” of our database.
 
Who’s Sleeping With Whom?

Hawaii has always been thought of as a romantic destination for lovers around the world.  Therefore, it comes as no surprise the Hawaii leads all states in the percentage of rooms occupied by more than one person.  As depicted in Chart A, over 90 percent of all hotel rooms rented in the state of Hawaii are occupied with more than one person.  Close under the covers are the states of Florida and Arizona, both well above the nationwide of 48 percent.
 
 

Lagging in the cuddling column are the mid-western states of Kansas and Illinois.  Some are of the opinion that the agrarian atmosphere of the Midwest is more conducive to a roll in the hay, as opposed to one in the Holiday Inn.

Wall Street And Wet Whistles

If alcohol consumption is a measure of stress, then the hectic pace of the East Coast cities is graphically shown when comparing hotel beverage statistics.  A direct correlation can be drawn between the level of alcohol sold on a per occupied room basis and the perceived frenzy of these city’s respective business climates and lifestyles.  As shown in Chart B, the top drinking hotel cities are New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington, DC.  At least the average expenditure of $12.72 per occupied room in Washington, D.C. is cheaper than the cost of tea required to rent the Lincoln bedroom.
 

All-Suite Couch Potatoes

A warning to all Corporate Travel Managers; Beware the all-suite hotel!  If you are looking to improve the productivity of your traveling executives, you may want to avoid placing them in an all-suite property.  All-suite hotel guests spend the most money renting movies.  Given the comfort of a separate living room with a couch, a refrigerator to hold the beverage of your choice, and a microwave to cook your popcorn, it is no wonder that the all-suite hotel guest helps themselves feel right at home.  Too bad we can’t measure the types of movies that are rented.
 

Fruits, Nuts, And Yogurt

California has long be admired and chastised for its diversity and trend-setting way of life.  While Californians will dispute the fact that this makes them “weird”, the rest of the nation only has to look at certain lodging statistics to confirm their stereotypes.  For example, the odds of finding yogurt on the breakfast buffet at a California Bed-and-Breakfast Inn is 74.2 percent, far greater than the national average of 53.1 percent.
 

In general, the states at the bottom of the yogurt list are located in the colder climates.  You can’t blame these guests for eating a thick stack of pancakes or hot biscuits in order to warm their bodies.  Besides, it would be a sacrilege to pour a good Vermont maple syrup over a bowl of strawberry yogurt.

Sound Mind, Sound Body

Among the various types of hotels available to travelers, conference centers always rate high as a preferred meeting destination.  Obviously, these specialty properties offer uniquely designed facilities and services that make it easier for the meeting planner, as well as comfortable for the guest.  But another extra added attraction of most conference centers are the recreational facilities.  Not only are these amenities available for the enjoyment of the attendees, but they can play an important role in team-building exercises.

When looking at the list of recreational facilities most frequently offered at overnight conference centers across the nation, fitness clubs, tennis courts, and swimming pools are offered at more than half the properties.  Less frequently found are spas, bicycles, and pool tables.  After a full day of strategic planning and the ubiquitous President’s Message, there’s nothing like pumping iron or drowning yourself.

Happy Holidays

As mentioned before, the statistics presented in this essay are from the PKF Consulting database, which is administered by the Research Department of our firm.

At this time, I would like to announce the relocation of our Research Department to our Atlanta office.  There, Director of Research Robert Mandelbaum will work closely with Executive Vice President Mark Woodworth.  Together, they aim not only to continue the expansion of our database, but utilize our statistics for the benefit of our clients and the industry.

Obviously, there are very sound business reasons for some of the statistics presented in this article.  Drink prices are higher in New York than Denver.  It takes a lot less land and money to build a gym or tennis court than it does a golf course.  It certainly was not my intent to present any profound industry advice.  Simply, it was a chance to share some interesting oddities from this hospitable hospitality industry in which we work.  Have a cheerful holiday season, and best wishes for a successful 1998.

Patrick Quek is president and CEO of PKF Consulting, an international hospitality consulting firm headquartered in San Francisco.  He can be found dressing up as Santa Claus during the company’s holiday party.
 

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