I Hotel

By Dohee Kim (dkim111), Mark Pollard (Pollard2), Nichole Maschhoff (nmaschh2), & Emily Morris (morris38)

 Introduction

On February 15th, we spoke with Dave Mulligan, the I hotel guest services manager, about the I hotel's leisure delivery system. First, we asked for information about the history, location, and purpose of the hotel and its facilities. Second, we asked about the core competencies that workers need to work in the hotel. Third, we inquired about employment opportunities. Fourth, we learned about economic and seasonal trends that affect the I-hotel. And finally, we asked how the hotel provides leisure services to their target population.

Background

The I Hotel, which opened in 2008, is located across the street from the assembly hall at 1900 S. First Street on the University of Illinois campus. It has 48 double queen rooms ($119 per night), 76 single king rooms ($119 per night), and two suites ($299) per night. The hotel features a 38,000 SF conference center that can "accommodate an executive meeting in its state-of-the-art board room, a group of 700 seated theater style in the Illinois Ballroom, and any size group in between". At the hotel, guests can also receive a Swedish massage ($40 per half hour), work out in the 24 hour fitness center, and dine at Houlihans Restaurant and Bar. All of these elements help to fulfill the goal of the I Hotel, which is "To give guests more than just a stay. to give them a multi-sensory, total guest experience."

Core Competencies Required For the Job

The I Hotel maintains a policy to deal with their customers called the four diamond quality standards. They use positive verbiage, with a positive attitude towards their guests at all times. For example, rather than saying “you’re welcome” they say "my pleasure". They try to respond to all of their guests' requests with a "yes". They must utilize their creativity in order to accommodate guests and provide them with the best possible experience. They also require all employees to have a positive attitude.

Employment Opportunities

The best way to get your foot in the door is by working an entry-level position at either the café, Houlihans, or the hotel itself. Since all 3 branches are owned by I operations, it is easy to transfer between branches. Additionally, it is relatively easy to work your way up in any of the 3 branches. As long as one takes initiative and takes their job seriously, they should have no difficulty getting promoted in the hotel and/or other operations.

Current Trends & Issues

One major issue greatly affecting the I Hotel is the economic hardships people are facing due to the current state of the economy. People do not have the money to plan vacations and stay at a hotel. Unlike many other hotels, the I Hotel is largely influenced by the different seasons. During the summer when school is not in session or when the football season ends, they see a huge decline in the number of guests needing a place to stay. The majority of visitors stay at the hotel for business, such as guest lecturers at the university or participants, therefore they try  to expand the range of visitors in order to overcome the seasonal decline of visitors.

Leisure Definition & Main Benefit

The I Hotel believes leisure to be best defined as a time when one should be at ease, relaxed, and filling their time the way they want to. The main benefit it provides is for those involved with business-travel and pretty much anything connected to the university, such as providing hospitality for Illinois' opposing sports teams. It offers its guests a tranquil spa and fitness room and the conference center provides a space for events such as high school dances and barn dances for members of the Greek community. It also offers packages for those traveling to the area. For example, when Mama Mia came to the Assembly Hall, the I Hotel offered a deal where people could purchase tickets for the musical and then receive a discounted room rate for the evening.

Pros & Cons of a Career in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

There are several pros as well as cons of maintaining a career within the hospitality and tourism industry. More specifically, working at a hotel which would be considered part of the hospitality sector, provides its workers with a very flexible schedule since it is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Additionally, one may receive discounts at other hotels worldwide, making travel opportunities more prevalent. Also, for those who are more of a people person, it is a match made in heaven because it is a very interactive career. Conversely, working at a hotel can be unexciting at times. At the I Hotel specifically, they do much less business during the summer, as well as when the university is not in session. Furthermore, when the economy is struggling, money is tight for people so they are much less likely to take vacations and stay in hotels. Also, it is difficult to take time off from work during weekends and holidays which is when most people would like to relax and spend time with friends and family. Hotels are crucial to the flourishing of the leisure service delivery system, because tourism is a main aspect of the delivery system and without hotels, people would be much less inclined to travel.

Illini Union Hotel

Introduction (frederi1)

The Illini Union Hotel is located centrally on the University of Illinois campus. It is a popular place to stay amongst parents, alumni, and even students.  It is most popular on special weekends like Mom's Weekend, graduation time, and home football games. The hotel has a long history with the U of I; it is well known amongst Illini visitors and is one of the most popular places to stay to enjoy the campus. The campus has many great events and leisure opportunities from concerts to sporting events. The Illini Union Hotel makes it easy for people to access U of I and everything it has to offer. 

Background (yum1)

In 1935, the University of Illinois foundation was established to fund the construction of a new building called the Illini Union. The actual construction of illini Union started in 1939 and ended in 1941. Also, the Illini Union expanded the hotel guest rooms in 1962. Inside of the Illini union, the Illinois Union hotel was formed because many faculty, students, graduate students, and guests needed a place to stay for the graduation ceremony. The Illini Union hotel is located at 1401 West Green Street in Urbana, Illinois at the center of U of I Campus. The hotel has 72 rooms and two VIP suites. It is open to all visitors, but the wait list can be extensive so the staff encourages an early sign-up. The hotel has been standing for over 60 years and is still going strong. The hotel prides itself on its longstanding tradition and its colonial architecture.

Core Competencies (georgopl)

Several of the part-time employees hired at the Illini Union Hotel are students. Because of the lack of availability students have with a full-time course load, they are not required to work full-time hours in order to be hired. Many of the students hired are working at a hotel for the first time in their careers. These jobs include mostly the reception position and showing people to their rooms.  Information regarding the cleaning staff was not available to us, but we were able to find information about the managers and supervisors. They have a more rigorous application process. Their jobs are looked at more permanently and therefore the job requires either a degree or sufficient hospitality management experience.

Employment Opportunities (slee273)

The Illini Union Hotel provides employment opportunities online at https://www.union.illinois.edu/employment. One should visit the Illini Union Hotel website and explore all of the different kinds of jobs that the hotel has to offer. It is also important for applicants to know what kind of job they are looking for before applying due to the vast variety of opportunities that are available. Once assessing their interests, applicants should proceed to fill out the online application, which asks for personal information, credentials/experience, jobs of interest, resume, references, and availablity. Applicants should provide as much information about their past work experience and credentials in order to have a higher chance for employment consideration.

Current Trends (georgopl)

The trends that are seen in the Illini Union Hotel are very consistent. The Hotel prides itself on tradition. It is located in the center of campus-town and is modeled after the architecture of the first days the university was founded. The hotel finds itself to be completely booked on weekends of home football games, Mom’s and Dad’s weekends, several weekends throughout the Basketball season, and other times throughout the year. In order to be eligible to stay at the hotel, a person must fill in an application to stay at least a year in advance, which shows how competitive it is to book a room at the hotel. In addition to parents staying at the hotel for visiting weekends, the hotel also accommodates students throughout the year as well as professors and other professionals staying in town for conferences or other various events.  

Definition of Leisure (slee273)

The Illini Union Hotel’s definition of leisure is the time that people spend in the “exceptional setting that truly encompasses the ideals of the University of Illinois.” This not only means enjoying the campus, but it also means enjoying the activities that occur on campus such as exciting Illini games, enjoyable weekends with moms and dads, and celebratory graduations. The main benefit that the Illini Union Hotel provides to visitors is that it is located in the heart of campustown, putting guests close to all of the campus attractions such as the scenic quad, Green Street restaurants, shops, and bars, Assembly Hall, Memorial Stadium, Campus Recreation facilities, Green Street restaurants, and many major and historical campus buildings.

Conclusion (frederi1)

As a whole, we think that the Illini Union Hotel is a great asset to the campus. It is a great place for parents and other visitors to stay during home sporting events. It is also a great place for students to go during finals to stay and study. A career in the hotel business can be very successful. The down fall to a career in the hotel business is that there is a season where you may not be as busy. This happens in all businesses though. However, we believe that if the hotel was better advertised on campus, the busy season may be a longer one. The Illini Union Hotel has great things to offer and has great potential to thrive here on campus. 

Assignment 1 Leisure-Definition (nmaschh2)

Leisure to me is spending time away from all the hustle and work of life and being with friends and family that make you happy. Leisure is like waking up and finding out that we have a snow day and being happy about all the relaxation I will have for that day. This is what leisure means to me, lazy relaxation. It's sad to think that as I grow older and wiser I work harder and longer and this leisure time always seems to be slipping away or at least getting shorter. I'm lucky because my parents can afford a lake house and I like to spend my leisure activities sitting by the pool relaxing in the suns rays drinking ice cold tea during my summer months. I will never take my leisure time for granted.

Assignment1-Leisure Definition(dkim111)

My definition of leisure is all about "freedom." If you work hard, you also have to know when to rest. Having a leisure time does not equal to having an adventure. Leisure is spending your free time without any care about life before and after, being free from work loads, relaxing and re-energizing. You've been working hard, then you need to leave for leisure. The word "leisure" reminds me of a typical saturday afternoon. I wend to a boarding school, so whenever I had a "free time" and when I am done with school works, I sat down on the school quad, chat with friends and watch moving clouds. Therefore I could refresh myself for the next week.




DoHee Kim