Now that the weather is starting to warm up, people will begin making vacation plans for the spring and summer seasons. Are you ready for this influx of customers at your hotel? Make the most of the upcoming seasons with a few quick tips to prepare for the spring/summer hotel rush.
As the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, many people start to think about taking a vacation. And for many, a big part of that vacation is staying at a hotel. Whether it’s a luxury resort, a cozy bed, and breakfast, or something in between, hotels are a popular choice for travelers.
With the spring and summer months fast approaching, now is the time for hotels to start preparing for the rush of guests that will be looking for a place to stay. Here are a few tips to help hotels get ready for the busy season ahead.
Learn from Previous Years
If you’ve been in business for a while, you’ve probably become very aware of the ebbs and flows of your hotel’s business and shifting guest needs at various points throughout the year. Now’s the time to apply what you’ve learned about your customers and your business to new initiatives that will make this season the best one yet. Do your guests need easier access to fresh towels for the pool? Should you extend your evening lobby hours for late-arriving parties? Does your room service program need a refresh? Ask yourself these questions now, and reap the rewards later.
Check and refresh your rooms
After a long winter, your hotel rooms may need some freshening up. Take some time to inspect each room and make any necessary repairs or updates. This could include anything from fixing a squeaky door to replacing old linens or towels. You should also make sure that your rooms are clean and well-stocked with amenities like shampoo, soap, and other toiletries.
Look Ahead to Staffing Needs
This is a big part of what comes into play when you look back at previous seasons, so it deserves a special mention. You want to make sure that you have plenty of staff at your hotel on a daily basis to take care of everyone’s needs. This includes staff at the front desk, concierge services, room cleanup crew, etc. It’s always best to have a couple of extra people on hand rather than too few, so if you need to add some seasonal workers, the extra cost will be worth the added service to your guests.
Infuse More Technology
Today’s guests expect hotels to offer a variety of technological advantages that will help improve their stay. Depending on the size of your hotel and your typical clientele, you should look into standard fares like key cards, VoIP, in-room checkout, HD televisions, wi-fi, and other offerings. After a long winter, your hotel rooms may need some freshening up. Take some time to inspect each room and make any necessary repairs or updates. This could include anything from fixing a squeaky door to replacing old linens or towels. You should also make sure that your rooms are clean and well-stocked with amenities like shampoo, soap, and other toiletries.
Be Aware of Events in Your Area
It’s extremely important that you’re aware of the events that are going on each season near your hotel. Search for events on Google and make a list of the most popular and exciting events in your area. Whenever the information is available, pay close attention to the number of attendees from the event’s previous years so that you’ll have an idea of how much it could increase your business. Also, consider tailoring some offers or e-blasts to promote occupancy during these events — you might end up tapping into a whole new segment of potential repeat customers.
Create a Marketing Plan
The busy spring and summer seasons may bring a ton of guests into your area, but it brings something else, too: more competition. This means you’ll want to step up your marketing game if you hope to draw more attention to your specific location. There are a variety of ways to do this that come with either no cost involved or a low cost. These include social media advertisements, maintaining an informational blog, improving your website, and using a chatbot. It’s also a great idea to create promotions that utilize apps like Instagram and Snapchat to help connect with potential guests. Technology has a huge role in keeping guests happy once they arrive at your hotel. To learn more about how Phonesuite can assist you with the installation of a VoIP hotel communications system and much more, reach out to our experts today.
Your staff is the face of your hotel, and they play a big role in making sure that guests have a positive experience. Take some time to train your staff on the latest policies and procedures, as well as any new amenities or services that you’ll be offering. This will help ensure that your staff is prepared to handle any situation that may arise and provide top-notch customer service.
Conclusion
By following these tips, hotels can get ready for the busy spring and summer seasons and ensure that their guests have a positive and enjoyable experience. Happy guests mean repeat business and positive word-of-mouth, which can help hotels thrive in the competitive world of hospitality. With the warmer months quickly approaching, it’s time to start preparing for the inevitable rush of visitors that will be looking for a place to stay. Hotels around the world are gearing up for an influx of customers and so should you!
