What are hotel amenities?
Hotel amenities are services or items offered to guests at no added cost to improve the overall experience by providing extra comfort and convenience. Amenities vary depending on the hotel’s level and type of accommodations. Common examples include shampoo, conditioner, soap, sewing kits, razors, and hair dryers.
While some basic items like shampoo and soap have become expected, hotels continue to innovate with new offerings to attract clients. As amenities become standardized, properties must think creatively to distinguish themselves from the competition.
Why are hotel amenities important?
Hotel amenities are what set your property apart from competitors. In-room amenities are one of the key perks of staying in a hotel over an Airbnb – just as having a concierge or front desk distinguishes a hotel from an apartment. Services like room service or simple touches like a shower cap may not cost much, but they can significantly enhance the guest experience.
Amenities are also powerful branding tools to promote your hotel’s brand. Whether through a signature scent used in lotions and soaps, unique offerings guests won’t find elsewhere, or personalized touches tailored to guest preferences, amenities communicate that you care. The overall hotel experience is created through micro-moments that collectively shape the global guest experience.
Essential hotel amenities checklist
Before exploring unique hotel room amenities, hotels should ensure they offer these essentials to build trust and meet guest expectations:
- Toiletries
- Free WiFI
- Free parking
- Bathrobes/slippers
- Complimentary breakfast
- Hair dryer
- Shaving kit
- Sewing kit
- Air conditioning/heating
- Coffee/tea maker and hot water boiler
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Streaming services or smart TV
- High-quality linens and towels
18 hotel room amenities ideas to impress guests
Here are creative hotel room amenities ideas to distinguish your hotel and impress guests.
1. Luxury toiletries
While shampoo, conditioner and soap are standard offerings, the quality doesn’t need to be. Consider upgrading to products from local artisans or offering cruelty-free, vegan, or chemical-free options that demonstrate care for guest wellbeing.
2. Eco-friendly amenities
Sustainability resonates strongly with travelers, especially Gen Z, for whom climate change is a defining Gen Z travel trend and concern. Choose eco-friendly options like refillable toiletry dispensers, water bottle refill stations, washable and reusable bathrobes, and eliminate single-use plastics by providing glasses instead of paper cups and reusable tote bags.
3. Personalized welcome gifts
Customize welcome amenities based on guest type – healthy snacks for business travelers or champagne for couples. Consider eco-friendly amenities like branded reusable water bottles that guests can refill at your stations and take home for continued brand exposure. These personalized touches often become social media content when guests share their experiences.
4. Turndown treats
At four and five-star hotels, turndown service provides an extra touch that sets you apart. Place home-baked goods or chocolate on the pillow during turndown. With increasing dietary restrictions, consider options that accommodate most needs – it’s a wonderful surprise for guests returning after a long day.
5. In-room relaxation features
One of the keys to upselling is getting guests to spend as much money in-room as possible. Create a spa-like experience that encourages guests to spend time in their rooms. Consider a signature hotel scent in a diffuser, eye pillows, noise machines, chronotherapy lighting, and relaxing music. These amenities create an immersive experience guests will recommend to friends.
6. Wellness and mindfulness amenities
Capitalize on the wellness trend by offering yoga mats in rooms, yoga classes (online or in-person), meditation apps, aromatherapy options, and healthy snacks like fresh fruit. Energy shots at the breakfast buffet or yoga and Pilates classes in your hotel gym further enhance the experience.
7. Complimentary beverages
While mini-bars are notoriously expensive, consider offering complimentary water and hot drinks like tea and coffee. Provide a water boiler in rooms so guests can prepare their own beverages at their convenience.
8. Premium coffee and cocktail stations
Upgrade from basic drip coffee to Nespresso machines or local roasters to appeal to foodie guests. Consider a specialty coffee bar with guest discounts, in-room coffee delivery, or V60 coffee filters for guests who enjoy brewing their own coffee.
For alcoholic beverages, feature beer taps with local breweries or bar carts with regional options. Replace standard beers in the mini fridge with local artisan brews to give guests a sense of place.
9. Specialized bedding
Offer pillow choices including down, ergonomic, or foam options, and customizable down comforter weights – heavier for those who prefer warmth, lighter for those who run hot. Different blanket types and weights also enhance comfort.
10. Smart room technology
Empower guests with smart technology like smart mirrors, voice-controlled lights and climate control. A check-in kiosk boosts guest satisfaction by eliminating wait times, allowing guests to cut their own keys, scan documentation, and check in at any hour while streamlining your operations.
11. Business and coworking amenities
Dedicated hotel coworking spaces with lounges, desk setups, monitor availability and printing services attract business travelers and digital nomads seeking comfortable workspaces. The more inviting the coworking environment, the more you’ll attract locals, transforming your hotel into a hub for travelers and the local community.
12. Laundry services
Offer complimentary laundering and pressing of guest clothing, or provide an iron in the room for guests to press their own clothes. This is particularly valuable for business travelers who need crisp attire for meetings.
13. Bathrobes and slippers
Few things say “hotel luxury” like stepping into a bathrobe after a warm bath. Consider selling branded bathrobes as merchandise. Similarly, provide slippers guests can take home – they’re appreciated for comfort and serve as free hotel promotion.
14. Free breakfast
Complimentary breakfast is one of the most desirable amenities. This special service provides an advantage over apartment rentals and may be the deciding factor when guests compare hotels.
15. Family-friendly amenities
Families represent an important target audience with unique amenity preferences. Popular features include swimming pools, play areas, sports facilities, convenient childcare services, and cribs. Families are valuable guests – they typically travel during high season, spend more within the hotel, and book multiple rooms.
16. Pet-friendly rooms
Pet-friendly accommodations attract pet lovers, who often treat pets as family members. This also accommodates guests with service animals. Since guests save on pet-sitting costs, they may be willing to pay premium rates for pet-friendly rooms.
17. In-room entertainment
Board games, smart TVs, video games and themed rooms engage guests and encourage them to spend more time on-site, increasing the likelihood of additional spending. These amenities also provide activities for rainy days and keep families entertained.
18. Local partnerships
Offer VIP discounts at local restaurants and shops, or arrange exclusive experiences like wine tastings or ceramic classes. Partnerships for hotels provide guests with comprehensive experiences while creating mutual promotion opportunities and synergies between your hotel and local businesses.
How to choose the right hotel room amenities
- Understanding your guest demographics: Consider your target demographic when selecting amenities. What attracts families may not appeal to couples. Understanding your audience helps you tailor amenities to meet their specific needs.
- Balancing cost vs. impact: Choose amenities that add value to the guest experience without straining your budget or negatively impacting profitability. Find the balance between enhancing the experience and maintaining healthy profit margins.
- Creating Instagrammable moments: Social media significantly influences traveler behavior. Amenities that photograph well can generate word-of-mouth marketing and make your hotel a must-visit destination.
- Brand positioning and hotel category: Amenities tell your brand story. If you’re eco-friendly, showcase this through tote bags, refillable water bottles, and elimination of single-use plastics. Consider your hotel category – luxury properties need premium amenities to match expectations, while boutique hotels should focus on personalized touches.
- Location and environment: Amenities should reflect your location. Beach hotels might offer complimentary umbrellas, while urban properties could provide free parking or shuttle services to the city center.
- Benchmarking: Analyze amenities offered by your competitive set to identify opportunities and gaps that help differentiate your hotel.
Conclusion
Hotel amenities are a powerful way to differentiate your hotel and attract your target audience. For many guests, the little things make the difference. By offering specialized extras and utilizing the best guest experience software for hotels, you create a top-notch experience that makes guests feel at home and encourages repeat visits.
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