J.D. Power report examines satisfaction with management groups

The central finding of the new J.D. Power 2020 Third-Party Hotel Management Guest Satisfaction Benchmark is that staff service is still a key component of guest satisfaction with third-party management companies.

The study analyzed 150 questions about hotel experiences and benchmarked the performance of the top 11 third-party management companies with at least 14,000 rooms under management.

Crestline Hotels & Resorts ranks highest in overall guest satisfaction, with a score of 861 (on a 1,000-point scale), performing particularly well for staff service upon guest arrival and departure and for hotel facilities (safety/security, grounds, exterior maintenance, parking, etc.). Atrium Hospitality (860) and Pyramid Hotel Group (860) rank second in a tie.

“Now, more than ever, when travelers have heightened concerns about health, safety, cleanliness and availability of amenities, it’s clear that a well-trained, courteous hotel staff can define a guest experience,” said Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power. “Third-party operators that employ great talent are best-equipped to provide excellent guest experiences across limited-service and full-service hotels alike. During this period when guest volume is lower than usual, hotel management companies have an opportunity to focus on staff education, review guest feedback and incorporate that feedback into training programs.”