Designer Hotels Hit the Hot Spots

Armani in Dubai, Missoni in Kuwait, Bulgari in Milan—fashion houses are teaming up with Ritz, Marriott, and their ilk to provide luxury rooms with a label

BusinessWeek, April 6, 2007 — Coco Chanel, the late grande dame of French couture, said she didn't do fashion—she was fashion. An apt metaphor, perhaps, for the latest trend among the titans of fashion and luxury. No longer content merely to design haute couture and accessories, they are branching out into the "experience" business by lending their design style and brands to top-of-the-line hotels and resorts around the world. Love your outfit from Bulgari, Armani, Missoni, Versace, or Moschino? Now you can wear it in surroundings conjured up by the same designers.

Customer Service Champs

BW's first-ever ranking of 25 client-pleasing brands included JetBlue, until it got stuck on the runway

BusinessWeek, March 5, 2007 — Bob Emig was flying home from St. Louis on Southwest Airlines this past December when an all-too-familiar travel nightmare began to unfold. After his airplane backed away from the gate, he and his fellow passengers were told the plane would need to be de-iced.

Inside the Ritz-Carlton's Revolutionary Service

Inside 1to1, February 27, 2007 — If any company leads in setting the gold standard for service, it’s the Ritz-Carlton, whose commitment to quality is not just part of the company’s philosophy, it’s part of the employees’ DNA. Follow us through a day inside the organization.