What makes a good hotel room? It’s a simple question but it doesn’t have a short answer. There are certain things we can take as a given: cleanliness, functionality, comfort. Without these basics, guests are never likely to be satisfied.
More often than not, it’s the little touches that elevate a hotel room. Thoughtful moments that demonstrate that the hotelier has stepped into the guest’s shoes and thought deeply about both what a guest needs and wants. And no, we’re not including fast, reliable WiFi, because that should be the standard for any hotel room.
This was inspired by Marcy Albert’s LinkedIn post about in-room irons, which in turn generated a great discussion in the comments.
12 essentials for a good hotel room
The small things listed in this article are some of the most common remarks we hear from guests. How many does your hotel cater for?
1. Curtains that do what they’re expected to
You don’t have to have blackout curtains in a hotel room – some guests prefer blinds or normal curtains so the sun can wake them up naturally. But if you do have them, they need to work properly. This means properly fitted, without an annoying gap in the middle that won’t close properly.
2. A hairdryer with some oomph
The reasons for weak hairdryers are clear: low wattage models with standardized designs use less energy and are inexpensive to replace. But is this small saving worth the frustration of guests who have to spend ten minutes drying their hair? We say no.
3. Aircon instructions
We asked AI how many different makes and models of air conditioners exist, and it didn’t know the answer. And while some of them are intuitive to figure out, others are less so. Setting out clear instructions for how to control the aircon in a hotel room (whether it’s printed out or digital) can remove one small element of stress from the guest’s stay.
4. Free water
Bottled water (or filtered water in a reusable glass bottle) should be included in the room and replenished every day. Depending on your location, people can be wary of drinking tap water, and charging additional fees for an essential human need isn’t great hospitality.
5. Free coffee
Speaking of essential human needs, the same goes for coffee (and tea). Depending on your market (and your budget), coffee pod machines or kettles are staples of modern hotel rooms. If you’re worried about impacting revenue from your F&B cafe or bar revenue, don’t be – people always have room for more coffee.
6. Modern charging sockets
Ever had to unplug a lamp because you needed the socket to charge your phone? Or plug your device in only for it to limply fall out of the socket? That shouldn’t happen. Provide fast and plentiful charging options, including USB ports, so guests don’t have to worry about rummaging through their bag for an adaptor.
7. Smart TVs
What guests really want most of all is convenience. When they have down time in their room, they don’t want to be stuck with local channels or spend half an hour googling how to cast to the TV from their phone. Provide a smart TV with apps like YouTube and Netflix and it will have a big impact on guest happiness.
8. Slippers
The transition between shower and bed can be awkward for our feet. Bare toes on a cold bathroom floor and freshly washed soles on a carpet are low-key unpleasant experiences for many, but a simple pair of slippers will solve the problem. Just make sure they’re washable so you can reuse them.
9. Plenty of storage space
Some people like to live out of their suitcase. But for stays longer than a couple of nights, most guests want to unpack their things while still keeping the room tidy. Somewhere convenient to place big suitcases is a first port of call, followed by enough storage for clothes. Oh, and plenty of hangers. Why are there never enough hangers?
10. A local welcome treat
Travelers want authentic, local experiences. An easy way to satisfy this desire is with a small welcome gift left in the room upon arrival. Not a generic chocolate mint on the pillow, but a cookie from a neighborhood bakery, wine from a local vineyard or beer from a local brewery. This is also a great way to establish connections within the community, so your business can be promoted in return.
11. Cosmetic upgrade
A big tub of shower gel, a big tub of shampoo and a big tub of hand soap. These are now the cosmetic staples of hotel rooms, so it doesn’t take much to stand out. An additional product like a moisturizer (bonus points if you can find a local brand) or something like a pillow spray will elevate the experience.
12. A personal touch
Great hospitality is all about delivering experiences that make guests feel happy and welcome. The best way to do that is to make a guest feel seen, and that can be as simple as leaving a personalized note in their room. Address them by name, let them know how to reach you, and maybe provide a tip about the area – a show that’s on or a local restaurant not to be missed.
Some hotels are beginning to personalize the contents of in-room fridges – another thing that makes a great hotel room, especially for anyone traveling with babies or toddlers who need to keep milk cold. For instance, if you know your guest doesn’t drink alcohol, you can remove all alcoholic drinks prior to arrive and provide non-alcoholic options instead.
Conclusion
There are two common themes in the list of little things: convenience and thoughtfulness. Guests shouldn’t worry about simple things like whether they can dry their hair quickly or easily watch the latest episode of their favorite show. They should feel as though their needs have been considered, and that their patronage is truly valued.
These small details can make all the difference and help convert first-time guests into repeat visitors. Want to know more about modern guests and how to meet their rising expectations? We wrote the guide on that.
