J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Hotel Guest Satisfaction in Europe Improves Considerably to Reach a Five-Year High

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn, Premier Inn and Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts Each Rank Highest in Guest Satisfaction in Their Respective Segments

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Overall hotel guest satisfaction in Europe has increased notably from 2008 to achieve a five-year high in 2009, with improvements occurring in all ranked brands and across all segments, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM) released today.

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The study, now in its fifth year, examines the overall satisfaction of European hotel guests based on seven measures (in order of importance): costs and fees; guest room; hotel facilities; food and beverage; check-in/check-out; hotel services; and reservations. Forty-two hotel brands were measured and ranked in four segments: upper upscale, upscale, mid-scale full service and economy.

Hotel guest satisfaction has improved from 2008 by 16 index points or more (on a 1,000-point scale) in each of the four segments. The greatest improvements have occurred in the upper upscale and upscale segments, which increased by 24 and 25 points, respectively, from 2008.

"Hotels throughout Europe have not lost their customer focus despite an economic climate that has reduced demand and forced hotel brands to stringently contain costs," said Michael Drago, director of the global hospitality and travel practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "Hotel guest satisfaction with guest rooms and costs and fees has improved notably in 2009. While customers are likely pleased by lowered room rates, hotel brands are ensuring these rooms are still meeting customer standards and expectations."

The study finds that keeping guests highly satisfied has a particularly strong positive impact on loyalty and advocacy rates. Among the most highly satisfied hotel guests (those with satisfaction scores averaging 900 and above), 69 percent indicate that they will return to the hotel, while 79 percent will recommend the hotel to others. In addition, these customers make an average of 7.0 positive recommendations, compared with the industry average of 3.5 recommendations.

Upper Upscale Segment

Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts ranks highest in the upper upscale segment for a second consecutive year, performing particularly well in six of seven measures driving overall satisfaction: guest room; hotel facilities; food and beverage; check-in/check-out; hotel services; and reservations. Radisson BLU Hotels & Resorts and Maritim Hotels, respectively, follow in the segment rankings.

Upscale Segment

Among upscale hotel brands, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts ranks highest in guest satisfaction in 2009 and performs particularly well in three measures: costs and fees, hotel facilities and food and beverage. Following in the segment rankings are Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Novotel, respectively. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts performs particularly well in the guest room and hotel services measures.

Mid-Scale Full Service Segment

Improving from 16th rank position in 2008, Park Inn ranks highest in guest satisfaction in the mid-scale full service segment in 2009. Park Inn performs particularly well in three of seven measures: reservation, food and beverage and costs and fees. Dorint Hotels & Resorts and Clarion, respectively, follow in the segment rankings. Dorint Hotels & Resorts performs particularly well in the hotel facilities measure.

Economy Segment

In the economy segment, Premier Inn ranks highest for a second consecutive year and performs particularly well in four of seven measures: guest room, hotel facilities, costs and fees and food and beverage. Travelodge follows Premier Inn in the segment rankings.

Additional Key Findings

• Overall, the most frequently cited reasons for selecting a hotel are convenience/location (48%) and price (41%). Among guests of properties within the upper upscale segment, the hotel's reputation was the most frequently cited reason for selection (44%), while guests of hotels in the economy segment most frequently named price as the primary reason for selection (68%).
• Nearly 1 in 5 (17%) of hotel guests report experiencing a problem during their stay. Among these guests, the average number of problems experienced is 1.8. In 2009, two new issues have emerged among the top five reported problems: poor connection and speed of Internet access and key cards not working properly.
• In 2009, hotel guests from Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom are more satisfied than guests who live in other countries. Travelers from France and Spain are the least satisfied, on average.
• The proportion of European hotel guests who report being highly committed to a particular hotel brand has increased to 11 percent in 2009 from 9 percent in 2008.
  

The 2009 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study is based on responses from more than 13,000 guests who stayed at a hotel in Europe between May 2009 and September 2009. The study was fielded between August 2009 and September 2009.

For more information, read an article or view European hotel ratings at JDPower.com.

    Upper Upscale Segment
    Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
    (Based on a 1,000-point scale)

                                           J.D. Power.com Power Circle Ratings
                                                                 For Consumers
    Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts                807                 5

    Radisson BLU Hotels & Resorts                   794                 4

    Maritim Hotels                                  791                 3
    Sheraton Hotels & Resorts                       782                 3
    Upper Upscale Segment Average                   780                 3
    Hilton Hotels                                   779                 3
    Westin Hotels & Resorts                         779                 3
    Riu Hotels & Resorts                            778                 3
    Marriott Hotels & Resorts                       772                 3
    Sofitel Luxury Hotels                           767                 3

    Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts                  758                 2

    Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are:
    Concorde Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Kempinski Hotels,
    Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts and Swissotel
    Hotels & Resorts.



    Upscale Segment
    Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
    (Based on a 1,000-point scale)

                                           J.D. Power.com Power Circle Ratings
                                                                 For Consumers
    Movenpick Hotels & Resorts                      783                 5

    Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts                   779                 4
    Hotel Novotel                                   755                 4

    Iberostar Hotels & Resorts                      754                 3
    Upscale Segment Average                         748                 3
    Mercure                                         746                 3
    AC Hotels                                       743                 3
    nH Hoteles                                      741                 3

    Melia Hotels & Resorts                          739                 2
    Hesperia                                        735                 2
    Husa Hoteles                                    715                 2

    Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are:
    Copthorne Hotels, Courtyard, De Vere Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton,
    Hilton Garden Inn, Hoteles Silken and Thistle Hotels.



    Mid-Scale Full Service Segment
    Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
    (Based on a 1,000-point scale)

                                           J.D. Power.com Power Circle Ratings
                                                                 For Consumers
    Park Inn                                        771                 5
    Dorint Hotels & Resorts                         764                 5
    Clarion                                         762                 5

    Ramada Hotels                                   760                 4
    Best Western                                    752                 4
    Barcelo Hotels & Resorts                        746                 4

    Scandic                                         745                 3
    NH Jolly                                        743                 3
    Holiday Inn                                     742                 3
    Mid-Scale Full Service Segment Average          740                 3
    Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns & Resorts             739                 3
    Express by Holiday Inn                          736                 3

    Quality                                         733                 2
    Ibis Hotel                                      720                 2
    Campanile Hotel                                 719                 2
    TRYP Hotels                                     716                 2
    Sol Hotels                                      716                 2
    Balladins                                       710                 2

    Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are:
    Confortel Hoteles and Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts



    Economy Segment
    Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
    (Based on a 1,000-point scale)
                                           J.D. Power.com Power Circle Ratings
                                                                 For Consumers
    Premier Inn                                     738                 5

    Travelodge                                      702                 4

    Economy Segment Average                         696                 3
    Etap Hotel                                      694                 3
    Comfort Inn                                     684                 3

    Hotel Formule 1                                 662                 2

    Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are:
    Days Inn/Days Hotels and Tulip Inns.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

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SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates