TAKING A HOTEL EXPERIENCE FROM GOOD TO GREAT
According to many travel experts, if you’re looking for new ways to make an impression on your guests, get noticed online, and increase overnight stays you need to offer the top quality room amenities that matter most to travelers. It seems that both business and leisure travelers have expressed that room quality is the #1 reason for choosing a hotel.
Trivago and other travel groups feel that its not just about a bed to sleep in. Travelers want to indulge themselves in hotels featuring high-quality room amenities. They want to feel pampered and want to experience luxury.
This means the basics provided should look and feel luxurious. Guests want you to meet their expectations on the essentials. And when you do, they will notice. They will share their experience with others translating into repeat business and new guests.
Plush pillows and luxury bed linens
Soft, breathable white sheets, down comforters, and plump pillows appear to be number 1 on the list of what travelers would like to experience.
1000-thread-count cotton sheets and down-filled duvets are soothing. Guests can see from your online profile images how luxuriously comfortable your beds are and they’ll feel it when they’re sleeping on them.
Soft, oversized bath towels
The typical hotel provides a few small, rough towels.
Guests want large, super soft towels that envelope them and they also want different sizes for different uses.
Large towels give the impression of luxury. A set of oversized, fluffy towels gives a positive message that the hotel cares about them. Because they appear more expensive, they will also be more likely to hang them up and reuse them.
Full-sized, pH-balanced toiletries
The average hotel provides a few small bottles of cheap shampoo, lotion, and shower and bath gel. Guests are looking for high quality soap, shampoo, and conditioner similar to what they use at home and they want enough in one container instead of having to open several or call the desk and ask for more. This simple expectation is exemplary of basic luxury.
Complimentary refreshments
Mini bar fees make a guest feel that the hotel is looking for any and every opportunity to nickel-and-dime them. However, they feel special when they are offered quality, complimentary refreshments. Guests want water, tea, and coffee within an arms-reach and not from the desk. They also want real cups and glasses.
These are simple conveniences you can offer free of charge to make your guests feel pampered, not cheated.
Something special and not expected
One of the greatest rules of hospitality is to make your guests feel welcome and special. What better way to accomplish this than by treating each one to a little something extra? Add a cherry to the top of their experience and they’ll love you for it.
According to Trivago, the average hotel usually provides nothing.
The guests want to feel special and to know for certain that you appreciate their selection of your hotel for their visit. Maybe a plate of homemade cookies, a welcome cocktail, a welcome note or fresh flowers in the room can do the trick.
Hoteliers are constantly trying to undercut one another by cutting back on what they see as unnecessary expenses. However, the hotels that still invest in life’s simple luxuries for their guests will stand out. By following the above mentioned guideline you will be encouraging guests to extend their stay, return soon, and leave you a gracious reviews. This is because unlike your competition, you are exceeding their expectations!