The Wellness Edge: How Independent Hotels Compete with Resorts Through Smart All-In-One PMS & Spa Management Tools

Travelers are looking for a little extra R&R, and independent hotel operators are perfectly positioned to offer wellness-focused services that can set them apart. Overlooking these services can be a costly mistake for properties hoping to capture this growing demand, especially for properties located in the shadow of larger resorts. 

The reality is travelers choose independent hotels for their unique perspective on hospitality. Even smaller inns can earn competitive spa revenue and expand ancillary income by offering comprehensive wellness experience. 

To create a serene and restorative atmosphere, spas need the right tools that can help deliver a stress-free, seamless experience from start to finish. This experience begins with your team and its success will depend on how prepared your people are to deliver on guest expectations.The most significant service challenge for resort and spa operators remains access to – and the cost of – labor. Independent operators can be challenged to accommodate every guest’s schedule based on available manpower. Today’s All-In-One property-management systems can help hotels adopt some new ways guests want to use hotel spas, and guest service preferences are stored within the PMS. 

Complete Wellness

Health-conscious travelers are increasingly seeking diverse wellness experiences, from sleep retreats and digital detoxes to group packages that complement social events. What sounds simple in practice usually requires a great deal of legwork from hoteliers, including micromanaging the details of each traveler’s arrival experience and tracking and storing a dragon’s hoard of digital devices. 

The best way to manage these experiences is through an All-In-One PMS. This is where itineraries are assigned to each guest and where service purchases are tracked before arrival and during their stays. Managing spa activities within the PMS is key to fast, efficient service delivery. 

Flexible spa hours in the era of digital nomads and deal-chasing travel should not be overlooked. Late arrivals may be just what the doctor ordered for people who want to begin their wellness journeys as soon as possible. No longer viewed as just an early-morning experience, spa services can begin at night – an ideal way to start the trip off right. 

Spa Support

In the era of labor shortages, real-time scheduling updates can help ensure sufficient staffing, while expanding hours and adding trial services can aid sluggish bookings. In addition, digital intake forms that accept e-signatures can fast-track the wellness experience, and when integrated with payments, guests can get in, get out, and get on with their stay. 

Always consider the long-term impact of a guest’s wellness experience and maintain a consistent history of each customer to anticipate their needs in the future. Historical guest data stored in the PMS becomes impactful when leveraged across multiple properties. 

From identifying a spa’s most active hours and most requested services to analyzing promotion success or failure, an All-In-One PMS with Spa Management tools will keep guests happy and the bottom line healthy for years to come.

About the Author

Lisa Jane Wheaton is the Senior Product Strategist of Maestro, the preferred Web Browser based cloud and on-premises all-in-one PMS solution for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups. Maestro’s enterprise system offers embedded payments and 20+ integrated modules on a single database, including mobile and contact free apps to increase profitability, drive direct bookings, centralize operations, and enable operators to engage guests with a personalized and safe experience. Maestro’s Support Service provides unparalleled 24/7 North American based live support and education services.