| The term case goods is used by furniture dealers to | | | | and damage like warping and wood splitting if it's not |
| describe hotel furniture that goes in the guest | | | | properly dried. Using residential grade furniture is |
| bedrooms. Guest room furniture is a major investment | | | | another common mistake. A seasoned hotelier knows |
| for any hotel and one that cannot be taken lightly. | | | | their furniture will be subjected to use and abuse from |
| What are the factors you should consider when | | | | the guests so what is needed is contract quality |
| purchasing hotel furniture or case goods for your | | | | furniture often referred to as case goods. Contract |
| property? What comes to mind are at esthetics and | | | | quality case goods are made from a combination of |
| style, durability, maintenance, and cost. | | | | materials such as wood, engineered woods, wood |
| I was visiting a hotel owner in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in | | | | veneers, particle board, medium density fiberboard, and |
| 1998 when he gave me a tour of his newly opened | | | | often laminate for furniture surfaces. The laminate is |
| hotel. I will never forget this gentleman for two reasons | | | | actually thermo fused to protect the tops. |
| which I will mention further along. It was a very nice | | | | When purchasing case goods for your hotel verify |
| hotel in downtown Tegucigalpa with about 70 well | | | | they are contract quality made by reputable |
| appointed single and double rooms. The furniture in the | | | | manufacturers with experience in making furniture for |
| guest rooms looked very high end and beautifully | | | | hotels. You do not want to be this manufacturer's first |
| stained. You could see the beautiful wood grain you | | | | commercial project so carefully do your due diligence |
| only find in fine residential furniture. But he had a | | | | and check the manufacturer's references and prior |
| severe problem. The furniture he purchased only a | | | | projects before placing your order. Other things to |
| few months ago was starting to warp and split. Why? | | | | check is storage room in the credenzas, chests and |
| Because the furniture was made out of solid wood | | | | armoires. Remember space is a premium inside a |
| and the wood had not been properly dried. In a few | | | | guest room so make sure your furniture has sufficient |
| more months most of his furniture could only be used | | | | storage space to accommodate you guest's clothes |
| as scrap or firewood. He told me the reason he | | | | and storage needs. I also recommend using laminate |
| decided for all wood furniture was because he was | | | | for furniture surfaces particularly in a hotel table, desks, |
| raised with the belief that a good furniture piece had to | | | | credenzas, and activity tables. Laminate tops make the |
| be made of solid wood. This trip was memorable | | | | maintenance easier and they are also more resistant |
| because I knew this client s furniture was a total loss, | | | | to scratching by pens, keys, and sharp objects. The |
| he would have to re-purchase all the furniture again, | | | | drawer glide mechanisms are very important, make |
| the other reason was I had to evacuate Honduras | | | | sure to ask your manufacturer to describe how the |
| because Hurricane Mitch was heading straight for this | | | | mechanism is made and again verify if it's contract |
| tiny impoverished nation. I got out on one of the last | | | | quality. Finally make sure your manufacturer offers a |
| flights to Miami but unfortunately Hurricane Mitch struck | | | | warranty against manufacturer's defects. A reputable |
| with fury inflicting tremendous damage. | | | | manufacturer should offer at least a one year |
| In the hotel industry using solid wood furniture is a no | | | | warranty and some will offer up to 5 yr warranties. |
| no. Some of the problems include cost, maintenance, | | | | |