As a hotel manager how much time do you put into your parking equipment and services? Probably not much. Think about this, when a new visitor arrives what will their first impression be of your establishment? It’s not your lobby or you’re front desk, but rather its your parking situation and attendants. Is there free valet? Is parking too expensive? These are all things that can immediately sour your hotel’s reputation. By thinking a little bit harder about how your parking program presents itself you could improve satisfaction and occupancy rates.
Guard Post
Now we are going to go over some essential pieces of parking equipment and analyze the benefits to your hotel.
Valet Podium: If you’re hotel doesn’t have a valet podium, then it should. Aside from key storage and organization, a valet podium also serves the purposes of advertising, tip collection, and can even hold a point of sale unit. A valet podium can increase your level of professionalism and the security and organization of your parking services in one investment. If you’re a larger hotel, a custom valet kiosk that matches the design of your building could also be a wise investment.
Parking Cones: Often overlooked, parking cones are one of the simplest and most inexpensive investments you can make when it comes to your parking services. Useful in directing traffic, or blocking designated areas, they can be even more beneficial if you get custom cone toppers. The purpose of a cone top is to temporarily or permanently mark reserved spots, or to more clearly identify certain landmarks such as rental car areas or VIP parking.
Tip Box: Many valet podiums come standard with a built in tip box, however if yours doesn’t then this is an essential item. To be fair to your valet team, and to curb the pocketing of tips, a steel, locking tip box ensures that everyone gets paid exactly what they deserve when it comes time to clock out.
With 100s of potential pieces of parking equipment you can buy, you should ensure the items listed are your first purchases. While many are tempted to overlook their parking services, the fact remains, putting more thought into it than the other guy will improve your customer’s happiness and the size of your bank account.
Looking to find the best deal on parking equipment? Visit The Valet Spot to find the best advice on valet podium selection.
