Key trends driving the shift to hourly services
As hotels adapt to a constantly evolving market and changing guest preferences, hourly services are getting more popular. Three core trends are fueling this transformation:
1. Demand for more flexibility
Today’s travelers are looking for flexible options they can fit into their schedules. Whether that’s a meeting room for an hour, or short-term access to amenities like a spa or gym. Hourly bookings help hotels meet these diverse needs and offer guests convenience and customization.
2. Rise of on-demand experiences
In most aspects of life, people have begun to expect instant access to services, and hospitality is no exception.
From one-off gym sessions to meeting rooms, on-demand options mean guests can enjoy a hotel’s services without committing to an all-day or overnight booking.
3. Wider appeal across audiences of on-demand experiences
Hourly services help hotels attract more than traditional overnight guests. By successfully marketing short-term spaces like meeting rooms, fitness centers and parking spaces, remote workers, locals and nearby businesses can benefit from your hotel’s facilities.
Together, these three trends show how hourly bookings align with evolving guest behaviors and market needs. Offering flexible, on-demand services helps hotels remain relevant by appealing to a wide array of audiences.
High-potential spaces for hourly services in hotels
Hotels are often full of underused spaces. But by transforming these spaces into revenue-generating hourly bookings, hotels can maximize every corner of the property.
Here are some of the top spaces with high demand for short-term use.
1. Meeting and co-working spaces
Why it works: As demand for temporary workspaces grows, hotels with meeting rooms or co-working spaces have a valuable resource to offer. Business travelers, remote workers, and local companies all benefit from having flexible access to quiet, professional spaces for meetings or daily work.
Appeal: Hotels can attract not only guests but also nearby professionals who need a temporary workspace, turning meeting rooms into reliable income sources.
2. Wellness and fitness facilities
Why it works: With wellness tourism on the rise, many travelers want access to fitness facilities or wellness centers, but may only need them for a brief time. By offering hourly access to amenities like gyms, spas and saunas, hotels can appeal to both guests and locals interested in a quick workout.
Appeal: Short-term access to wellness facilities draws in guests who prioritize health but don’t want a full-day pass. Suddenly, underused wellness amenities can become a valuable revenue stream.
3. Parking spaces
Why it works: In urban or high-demand areas, parking isn’t always easy. By offering parking on an hourly basis, hotels can serve a broader range of guests, including locals and event attendees, turning parking spaces into continuous revenue streams.
Appeal: Hourly parking options cater to various needs, from guests needing short-term parking to locals attending hotel events, making it a versatile and profitable service.
4. Recreational equipment and activity rentals
Why it works: Hotels in both scenic and urban areas can offer rentals for equipment like bikes or paddleboards. This appeals to guests interested in exploring the area but don’t want a full-day rental.
Appeal: Recreational equipment rented by the hour provides guests with a convenient way to experience local attractions. This leads to a better guest experience as well as a fresh revenue opportunity.
Long-term benefits of hourly bookings for hotels
Incorporating hourly bookings is more than a short-term solution. In fact, it can support long-term growth by bringing more flexibility to the business and engaging new guest segments. Here’s how hourly bookings can benefit hotels over time.
1. Increased revenue per available square meter
There are plenty of spaces in hotels that are unused most of the time. Old server rooms, for example. Hourly rental allows hotels to monetize these spaces, boosting revenue per available meter. By offering spaces for different uses and periods, hotels can increase occupancy and usage rates, leading to more profitable spaces.
2. Diverse revenue streams for stability
Hourly bookings diversify income, offering financial stability during typically slower periods. For example, meeting rooms may see high demand during business hours, while wellness facilities and parking might be more popular in the evenings. By adapting spaces to changing needs, hotels can create more consistent revenue and reduce reliance on room bookings alone. Here are some tips on how to reimagine your hotel spaces.
3. Enhanced guest satisfaction and brand loyalty
Hourly bookings let hotels offer guests a flexible, personalized experience, meeting their needs in a way that feels tailored and convenient. Whether that’s a short workout session or a quick meeting, if guests feel in control of their experience, they’re more likely to return and recommend the hotel.
These long-term benefits illustrate how hourly bookings position hotels as adaptable, guest-centric brands, enhancing profitability while strengthening guest loyalty.
Preparing for the future with hourly bookings
As guest expectations keep moving toward customization, hourly services can give hotels an edge. By becoming more adaptable and providing options that cater to both travelers and locals, hotels can cultivate an experience that appeals to a broader audience.
A centralized approach to hourly bookings allows hotels to market multiple spaces and amenities, freeing up staff time and improving booking efficiency in the process.
Features such as flexible pricing models and real-time availability can improve revenue even more. For example, dynamic pricing makes sure high-demand periods have proper pricing, and real-time availability helps guests find and book the space they need.
With the right system in place, hotels can position themselves as modern, flexible destinations that meet unique needs. Not only will this flexibility benefit the hotel’s bottom line but also its brand reputation, by committing to their guests’ needs.
A strategic opportunity for the future of hospitality
Hourly bookings are a powerful opportunity for hotels to offer flexible, guest-centric services while bringing in new revenue. As demand for customizable, on-demand services continues to rise, hourly bookings can help hotels thrive in a competitive landscape. This forward-thinking approach opens doors for hotels to build connections with guests as well as local communities. Not to mention enhancing revenue potential and guest satisfaction.
By embracing hourly services, hotels can elevate the guest experience, improve their use of space and secure a future-proof, adaptable model. Consider bringing hourly services to your hotel’s underused spaces to meet modern guest demands and maximize your property’s potential.
Are you a Mews customer and want more information?
Ready to add hourly services to your hotel? Curious to see how you could monetize every square meter of your property at every hour of the day?
Register your interest in Mews Spaces here and your Customer Success Manager (CSM) will be in touch.
