November 2018

November 2108 Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Keynote speech on visual reputation for Historic Hotels of America Annual Conference

Michelle delivered a keynote speech in Colorado on “the importance of visual reputation for Historic Hotels around the world”.

Many hotels are obsessed by their online or e-reputation on websites such as Trip Advisor, yet they forget the key role played by visuals in their online identity.

If you have a favourite hotel, or indeed you work in hospitality management or are a proprietor of a hotel, you can make a quick assessment of the property’s “visual reputation” by doing a Google image search. Be aware that strong imagery will drive revenue, whereas poor quality photographs may well send traffic to another hotel.

In two Historic Hotels of America case studies, Michelle explained how to turn around visual reputation. One hotel increase revenue by 31% on the same period of the previous year. The power of quality hotel photography can never be underestimated.

November 2018 The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Legendary destination resort, venue for Historic Hotels of America Annual Conference

One British person commented to me that it was unfortunate that this luxrious historic hotel shares its name with the high-security psychiatric hospital in southern England. But the two Broadmoors could not be further apart – there’s certainly no confusing them! With its distinctive logo and capital A has flourished, The Broadmoor Colorado is a legendary destination resort which has just celebrated its first centenary. Nestled in the foothills of the Cheyenne Mountains, on the east side of Cheyenne Lake, the hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Spencer Penrose bought the property in 1916 and opened The Broadmoor in 1918, intending that it be “Grand Dame of the Rockies”. A truly luxurious and spectacular hotel; Michelle felt privileged to deliver her keynote there.

November 2018 Boulder, Colorado, USA

Photo shoot for Hotel Boulderado

After hearing her speech, the proprietors of Hotel Boulderado were so impressed that they commissioned Michelle to carry out a photo shoot at their charming historic hotel in the town of Boulder.

The Hotel Boulderado is located in downtown Boulder, Colorado. It opened its doors on New Year’s Day 1909, and as one of the first Boulder hotels, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hotel Boulderado is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

One of its most famous original features is the original Otis elevator, dating from 1908. This is still in operation, and requires a member of staff to operate it. People come from far and wide to see and take a ride in the lift, so naturally this was number one on the shot list for Hotel Boulderado. Not easy to photograph, but essential with so much press interest, and well worth the challenge.

Michelle also photographed historic suites at sundown, the original cash register, the old safe, Hotel Boulderado’s mezzanine and famous stained glass canopy ceiling, and many other images that captured the essence of the property.