Hotel innovation in the future…

Essentially hotels have provided accommodation, a meeting place and food for hundreds of years. This maybe the same into the future as mentioned by Gillian Saunders at Grant Thornton recently at a presentation for IHG but ‘ how they connect with guests before, during and after their stay’ may evolve and will be key to building loyalty and differentiating from the competition in the future.

Competition is coming from many places including Airbnb but hotels do have a point of differentiation. They provide a shared space, a reception area, bar and restaurant which brings people together for business and leisure, creating a community feel and a place of belonging. Village Leisure Hotels/Clubs have successfully over the years developed this, offering much more than just a hotel bar or hotel gym. They offer restaurants, bars and leisure clubs that are frequented regularly by both local people and guests staying at the hotel as they like this vibe and being part of a bigger community.

To compliment this hub away from home the experience of staying needs to be holistic with an added value package service both within and external to the hotel. Whether this could be picking up luggage from the airport and providing transportation to business meetings or meals and in-room entertainment. Marriott has linked up with Netflix to offer a new room entertaiment service and Hilton with Uber through an app can provide check in, digital keys and information on the local area. This allows guests to personalise their stay. Hotels can also use the vast amount of data available to them to customise this service further and empower their teams to provide a better genuine service.

Pricing is another area hotels may need to evolve allowing flexibility on rates dependant on frequency of cleaning of rooms, locations on floors and facilities available.

The one thing that is evident is the only constant is change!

As we learn of new ideas and innovation within hotels we seek to share these with our clients when they are looking for venues. If you have first hand experience please share with us or if you are hotel please keep up us updated.