Though luxurious amenities such as spa treatments, personalized soaps (locally made, of course), and even aromatherapy butlers help create a great guest experience, they can also cost significantly more to provide. If you’re operating an economy hotel with a thinner profit margin, expensive additions like these may be out of your reach.
Luckily, most guests don’t need an aromatherapy butler to make their stay special. They only need to know that you consider them special. Deliver more than they were expecting on their own limited budget, and you’ll be on your way to building a relationship that brings them back year after year. (And keeping returning customers engaged costs 5-7 times less than enticing new ones).
Offer guests affordable experiences like the following to set your property apart and leave a lasting impression.
Wellness Experiences
These days, guests travel to take care of themselves, with wellness tourism achieving a 16.6 percent average growth rate. When people imagine wellness escapes, they generally picture sunrise yoga, spa treatments, and extravagant “fountain of youth” therapies such as might appear on White Lotus. But in real life, there are simple alternatives you can offer guests that match both your budget and theirs—and will leave them feeling rejuvenated.
Physical health is important to a wide spectrum of guests. According to a Forbes Health survey, 38 percent of Americans keep up with their diet and/or exercise routines when they travel. If you don’t have full gym facilities on site, consider offering yoga mats and hand weights. These don’t require much upkeep and can be provided in guest rooms. In addition, develop partnerships with nearby fitness companies such as gyms, yoga/pilates studios, and even local tours that may be able to offer discounted sessions to your guests.
Getting outside is a fun way to get fit. Offering equipment such as bikes, kayaks, and snowshoes—or even a “borrowing closet” with basic gear like jackets and boots—enriches the guest experience without imperiling your bottom line.
Think about diet and nutrition aspects of wellness too. Even without a full restaurant, properties can supply a healthy breakfast with local, organic options as well as snacks guests can enjoy throughout the day.
Movie Nights
Movie nights are fun, cheap, and don’t need complicated setup, though you do have to be aware of licensing requirements. They work especially well when attached to a themed occasion, for instance, showing Psycho for Halloween or When Harry Met Sally for Valentine’s Day. Add popcorn and make it cozy with a comfortable space for everyone to sit or sprawl. Do a dry run to check that your projector and other technology functions well to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Your demographic matters too, so choose your film accordingly (Get Out for the adults, Inside Out for the kids). A movie night is an excellent way to keep child guests occupied while their parents sneak off for some alone time.
These events can encompass more than the movie itself. Include related activities like trivia or cosplay contests to attract local guests (best costume wins!).
Trivia & Open Mic Nights
Even without a movie, trivia nights are a great way to bring guests together and enrich their stay experience without breaking your budget. It doesn’t cost anything to Google trivia questions and answers on a variety of topics to suit your theme. The only component you have to pay for is food and beverages for your guests (or you can sell refreshments separately from the cost of admission to boost ancillary revenue).
Similarly, open mic nights and karaoke sessions provide other low-cost, casual opportunities for guests to socialize. Check the microphone and other sound gear beforehand and enforce a time limit (if someone starts reciting The Odyssey, it will feel like an Odyssey). A portion of the night should be set aside for mixing and mingling. These types of events are especially effective for properties that have a bar or restaurant that is already set up for socializing and refreshments.
Such experiences engage your community and bring locals in the door, who may then visit for a staycation and/or recommend your property to out-of-town friends and family. Building trust at a lower pricepoint inspires potential guests to book with you when the stakes are higher, aka when they need an overnight stay.
Games & Books
Games are a relatively inexpensive way to entertain guests and encourage them to make social connections, especially if you’re running a hostel or other lodging with a high portion of solo travelers. Include boardgames for rainy days/nights and outdoor games like cornhole or horseshoe for guests to play by the BBQ. When in doubt, choose options with the fewest amount of little pieces to get lost.
Likewise, books are an understated amenity that can influence the feel of a stay more than you might expect. It’s nice to curl up with one at night, but they’re heavy to pack—any epic fantasy fans will collapse long before they make it through your doors! Offer a small library or exchange where bibliophiles can find something to thumb through.
Volunteer Experiences
As of 2019, 27 percent of American travelers planned to volunteer on vacation, and the importance of leaving a destination better than when you found it has only grown since as travelers pay increased attention to environmental and social governance metrics.
Volunteer activities such as beach clean ups and charity events allow guests to learn more about your community and experience slow travel at little or no cost. Partner with local non-profits, bundle opportunities into enticing packages, and provide information on site as well as on your website and social media so that guests know what’s available.
That said, be sure your proposed activities do not take work away from the locals or require significant expertise. (If they’re building a house, they should know which end of the hammer to use.)
Coworking Spaces
Supplying a dedicated coworking space doesn’t have to be expensive—but it does have to be comfortable and inviting. If coworking amenities make sense for your property, and you have an appropriate area available, stock it with comfy chairs and charging stations to create a productive space for business travelers… and keep the coffee coming!
Post pandemic, coworking spaces are on the rise, with the market predicted to grow from $12.06 billion in 2024 to $40.76 billion in 2033.
Outdoor Dining
Guests enjoy eating outside when the weather turns nice, so how about adding picnic tables to your garden to encourage them to enjoy your outdoor areas? Use awnings to provide shade and consider your brand when curating the space. For instance, if your brand color is beachy blue, that would be a good color for your awnings as well.
Fresh-Baked Cookies
Fresh-baked cookies are a staple of boutique inns everywhere and are easy to provide to guests—even without a restaurant on site. That sweet, gooey goodness leaves an aftertaste that keeps guests coming back.
If you’re a larger property with more guests to bake for, you can save time and still have enough for everyone with commercial frozen cookie dough or by striking a deal with your local bakery. Provide cookies in guest rooms—alongside quality drink selections—or at a special station in your lobby.
Be aware of food licensing requirements as well as dietary restrictions and provide an accurate ingredients list with any food items offered.
Tailor Amenities to Your Guests
Make sure your amenities deliver the best bang for your buck by choosing the best amenities and activities for your guests. Do this by gathering and analyzing guest data to discover your audience’s unique priorities.
Your property management system and booking engine are key to collecting guest information, from demographic data to booking and spending history. Use booking and sales reports to determine your most successful packages and add-ons and guide future decisions. Even low-cost amenities impact the stay experience and are worth tailoring to your specific guests.
Hint: Guests are more likely to provide personal information if they receive something in return, i.e., special offers and personalized service.
Tailored amenities don’t have to be expensive to be worth promoting. Even low-budget offerings should feature on your website, social media, email campaigns, and other guest materials to set your property apart from the competition. Surprise and delight guests before they set foot on your property and build anticipation for their stay.
Any optional extras offered to guests should also be promoted during the booking process. With WebRezPro Property Management System, add-ons can be displayed directly within the online booking engine along with pictures to help sell the offer. Because these add-ons are convenient and easy to spot, guests are more likely to take advantage of them.
Delivering an exceptional guest experience doesn’t require extravagant amenities or luxury services. With a few thoughtful, budget-friendly touches tailored to your market, you can create memorable stays that keep guests coming back.
