How to Make Your Hotel More Inviting — Photo by Media Gurus

In the age of online reviews, the way your hotel is presented as well as the experience it offers quite literally determines the success of your business. Happy guests make for happy hoteliers, and the hospitality game has been taking it up a notch for a while now. It's important for any hotel owner, no matter the size of the establishment, to always stay updated and look out for the little changes that can be made. Consequently, these changes can make all the difference when implemented – it's all about remaining authentic, hospitable and most important of all, presenting your guests with spaces that are inviting and contemplative of their needs. Let's look at some simple ways you can add a little more to your hotel, having in mind current trends and expectations of travelers.

Acknowledge the time to renovate

First and foremost – dingy, worn-out accommodations make for great sets of thriller flicks because in real life, they're most uninviting. Inspect your spaces regularly and beware of the warning signs which will tell you it's high time to renovate: the slightest signs of mold, cracks and chips in walls and tiles, loose flooring, creaky doors, worn-out carpets, rust, or any other type of damage or malfunction (especially toilets not flushing properly). These can be small things that add up here and there, and overall they present your accommodations significantly. A lot of these damages can be fixed easily or replaced in a short period of time, but don't hesitate on the bigger projects either – it will definitely pay off.

How to renovate without disrupting your business

With smart planning and organization, you don't have to fear the work in progress will ward off guests:

  • Renovate in low season, when you have lower occupancy.
  • Prioritize: take care of the things that need to be refurbished most first.
  • Plan any project that involves loud tasks to be done in the middle of the day, in a specific time frame during the check-out period so you can carry on with your work without disturbing guests.
  • You don't have to close an entire floor (or the entire hotel) if you renovate one room at a time.

Freshen up with small changes

Something as simple as changing the layout of the rooms will add a fresh breath of life into your hotel - and it's completely free. On top of that, although you might feel your spaces have a sentimental quality to them, it's important your guests don't feel like they've entered a time warp when they open the doors to their rooms. From getting more modern quality linen to adding some bits of newer furniture, improve the look of your hotel rooms in accordance with the current style.

Show your appreciation for the environment

As you're probably aware already, going green is a very hot topic nowadays and an increasingly large number of people are making individual efforts to do so. Environmental awareness is not just a trend, but a principle that's here to stay. Incidentally, hotels are known to spend energy luxuriously, and shifting from this paradigm could very easily be the main reason guests want to stay at your hotel. Make some changes and investments for the good of the environment and they will be greatly appreciated. For example, you can implement a rainwater harvesting system if you're ready for a more serious project that will involve regular gutter cleaning, proper installation, hiring professionals, etc. – it is a bigger undertaking but one that definitely shows you mean business. You can also install low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads or simply offer your guests to reuse their towels rather than changing them every day (which nobody does at home anyway). Adhere to recycling programs and buy recycled items and green products.

Use the hotel's location to your advantage

People are looking to feel like guests at your place, travelers – not customers. Times have changed, and various reviews hint that travelers are most satisfied with accommodations that make them feel more connected to the city or town they're staying in. This means that generic, conventionally comfy hotels are a thing of the past, as people are looking to feel a little bit more like locals during their visit. The easiest and most authentic way to do this is by using the specifics of your location and showcasing it as a way of introducing your guest to the community. A good idea is to partner up with local businesses – offer food, flowers, anything that is specific to your location to give them a unique experience.

Essentially, a hotel that is inviting is one that shows understanding for the weary traveler. Fresh, comfortable spaces, unique touches and a welcoming staff are the stronghold of hospitality, and this is something that can always be improved upon – especially in this era.