Big-name chain hotels are consistent. Guests get the same quality standards and generic accommodations no matter where that hotel is located. There’s nothing wrong with such an experience, as these places stay busy and have been around for years.
But if boutique hotels are looking for a way to stand out and stay booked up, they should do the opposite. Small boutique hotels should harp on their unique charm and ability to provide an intimate, personalized experience for guests.
Unlike chain hotels, owners of little boutique hotels have the space to go the extra mile to impress their guests and create an experience they’ll never forget. These tips will help you create an unforgettable stay for every guest every time.
Revisit your hotel’s concept
If your guests walk in and can’t separate your hotel’s atmosphere and vibe from others down the street, you need to revisit your concept.
Think about some of the most innovative hotel concepts in the world. Alcatraz Hotel Prison in Germany. Tafaria Castle in Kenya. Seven Hotel in Paris. These concepts reimagine the hotel stay experience with specific themes that run down to the smallest details.
Your concept doesn’t have to be as grand as these. However, something about it has to be unique. Bring your guests into a fantasy that transports them into an experience they didn’t know they needed.
Look at your hotel’s concept with your leadership team. Get their feedback as well as feedback from guests to determine if a concept revamp is necessary.
Add personalized welcome gifts to every booking
If you need a good personalization starting point, welcome gifts with every booking is a good one.
Learn what you can about the person making the booking. You’ll get demographic information, of course. You can also get people to share why they’re booking a stay with you and what they have planned if the conversation is going well enough.
Listen intently and decide on a personalized gift to leave on the counter in their room. For example, let’s say a guest shares that they’re booking a stay to go to the popular local museum.
The museum gave you free entry passes for guests you refer. Leave them free passes for as many people as they have in their group along with a personalized note thanking them for their stay.
It’s surprises and personalized welcome gifts like these that take a guest’s stay from typical to sensational.
Spruce up your lobby
When you walk into a chain hotel lobby, you get that same ol’ same feel. It’s a functional lobby but there isn’t much there that wows you. That’s too bad, considering the lobby is the first place guests step into.
It’s an opportunity to take their breath away right away. Making some stunning yet simple additions to your lobby can set your boutique hotel apart from the rest.
For example, instead of showcasing generic art from a department store, you could incorporate local art into your lobby. Reach out to local artists and galleries to see who would be willing to help you.
The gorgeous pieces will be visually stunning. Also, the stories behind them will lead to great conversations that deepen the connection you have with your guests.
Here are a few other things you can add to your lobby to spruce it up:
- Greenery
- Accent lighting
- A large mirror
- Rugs with unique patterns
- Tapestries
- Colorful throw pillows in your seating area
Get inspiration from social media sites like Pinterest to see how you can piece together a hotel lobby people will travel far to see.
Offer in-room amenities
Aside from the personalized welcome gifts we mentioned above, you can offer in-room amenities that go beyond WiFi. You want your guests to feel like you really put thought into what they might need to feel at home at your boutique hotel.
For example, personal care products like soap, lotion, and body wash are essential in every room. But what about skincare? Many people are serious about taking care of their skin health or are, at the very least, wanting to make sure they wash their faces adequately while on their trips.
You could go above and beyond and offer high-end skincare products, like Korean skincare products, that allow them to indulge in a spa-like routine. Korean skincare routines are popular because of the glow, enhanced skin health, and self-connection that result from them.
Korean skincare routines involve a list of products, including two kinds of cleansers, an exfoliator, toner, essence, serums, face masks, and so forth. Guests will appreciate you going above and beyond to provide all of the products they need.
Here are a few other creative in-room amenity ideas:
- Bathrobes and matching slippers
- In-room cocktail station
- Monogrammed linens
- Pillow options
Explore how you can elevate the in-room experience with amenities guests won’t expect.
Elevate the dining experience
One thing people look forward to when staying at a hotel is the dining experience. They love a hotel that has a unique restaurant or cafeteria with delicious food and drinks they can access at most times throughout their stay.
You can enter into a league of your own with a dining experience that provides more than amazing food, drinks, and service. Take your guests on different culinary adventures with special events and activities.
For instance, you could offer wine dinners, where each course is paired with a different wine. Set the mood with low lighting, soft background music, and warm decor. You could also add fun activities like wine trivia to the experience to make it even more fun.
Another idea is to offer rotating breakfast and lunch menus. Guests can look forward to daily, weekly, or monthly menus that are based on different themes and happenings in your community.
Consider all of the tips in this article and see how you can use them to mold your boutique hotel experience into one guests will never forget.
