Travel trend small hotels should watch — Simple, personalised travelling experiences

In 2017, travellers are moving away from the overly embellished luxury breaks in favour of an understated home from home vibe.

They’re rejecting over-the-top interiors and opting for a calmer, simpler choice that reflects an idealised version of their own home.

Homely comforts are the travellers priority in 2017.

Hotels still need to offer a superior home from home with extra comfy beds, walk-in showers and inspiring art work, but the lasting impression requires an unpretentious quality.

What’s also interesting is many travellers prefer to prioritise spending on memorable experiences rather than material possessions.

As the simple pleasures become the travellers’ focus, hotels can attract guests with simple and streamlined designs, while considering new ways to create an immersive travelling experience.

Simple Traveller Stats

• 58% of travellers prioritise spending on experiences rather than material possessions while on holiday
• Only 10% say a butler or concierge service is essential to their travelling enjoyment
• Only 13% say high-end toiletries are essential to their travelling enjoyment

As a treat, travellers are willing to spend more on:

• Sightseeing — 53%
• Special dining experiences — 41%
• Accommodation — 41%
• Activities — 35%
• Shopping 24%

How can hotels leverage this data?

Décor considerations

As ashy and fussy designs become more undesirable to the average traveller, a neutral interior will win the race in 2017.

Travellers today are searching for a tranquil space where they can feel comfortable. That means offering something better than they have at home, but also the option to squish into a cosy sofa with a good book.

Spend time thinking about how your guests will feel when they view images of your hotel online — what does your décor say to you? How will they feel when they get there? Do your rooms and communal spaces feel inviting and homely or more formal and sleek?

Most guests want subtlety and relaxation. Consider this latest trend for your next interior renovation project.

Hotel amenities

There are certain amenities guests will outright expect from a hotel room. And to create a feeling of home from home, you need to be sure you’re offering guests all the comforts they value.

If guests forget to bring an item with them, hotels that provide the essentials will go a long way to scoring those brownie points.

Items such as extra pillows and blankets, a hair dryer, shower products, coffee and tea, bottled water, bath robes and large towels are just some of the basic requirements you should offer to satisfy this growing trend.

Appeal to the senses

Conjure that feeling of home by tickling the senses.

Think about how you can create smells from your restaurant to stimulate powerful memories of home cooking.

Playing with different senses such as smells, music and textures, all have the power to influence emotions and experiences.

So how can you appeal to the senses to create that emotional bond…

Perhaps a Sunday lunch or Italian night with pasta and pizza. Or that instant smell of coffee in the morning.

Fill your communal areas with homely aromas and relaxing music to put guests immediately at ease.

Add ons experiences

With over half of travellers prioritising experiences over the materialistic, consider offering activities and day trips in and outside your hotel.

We now know more than 50% will spend more on sightseeing, so provide an information pack outlining the best places to visit for a day out. If some require a fee, pair up with companies so you can offer tickets at your hotel.

Include information about the best places to eat in your area and invite them to ask your reception desk to book a table. Be helpful — the key is making their entire stay as easy and stress-free as you can.

As travellers increasingly look beyond accommodation for an immersive travelling experience, you need to consider how you can offer enrichment beside your rooms and restaurant.