The major hotel trends of 2019
What are the big trends in the hotel world in 2019? Stronger communication, effective storytelling?
In constant competition with guesthouses and Airbnb rentals, hotels need to reinvent themselves in order to win over tourists. Today StyQR has tracked down a few trends you absolutely must follow to improve the guest experience in 2019. Whether you run an independent hotel or a large hotel chain, you need to plan ahead for the coming months of this new year so you can shine once again in your sector.
The guestexperienceCommunication, the basis of any relationship
To stand out, you need to get closer to your community. Guests must feel comfortable, at home and satisfied. There should be no distance between you. To achieve this, you can offer activities or sporting, cultural or artistic events to enjoy in the hotel's living spaces or outside. Tell your future guests about the leisure options available in your town. You can also make use of social media, newsletters, an app, text messages and so on. Share quality information, with unique content. Grow by raising awareness of and developing your property's image, build loyalty among your clientele, and unite your teams around your story and your values. The image you project will be a mirror of your identity.
StorytellingFind your DNA and bring it to life. Create your own world through your visual identity, your colours, your style of furniture, your decoration or even an unusual service. Build on the story behind the creation of your hotel. Be imaginative: rethink your employees' uniforms, for example.
Local andeco-friendly authenticityA gastronomic experience
A large majority of guests choose hotels mainly for their food and their gastronomic guest experiences. Add a chef's dish, unique to your hotel, to your menu. Give tourists the chance to discover something new by showcasing the culinary specialities of the country or region. Why not offer cookery classes for adults and children in the hotel restaurant? And of course, don't forget to use organic ingredients from local farms. Finally, you can surprise your guests with breakfast in bed!
An environmental commitment
In 2019, guests are committing to becoming increasingly eco-conscious. By reducing your environmental footprint, you will not only attract more guests, you will also save a great deal of money. Among the measures your guests will notice straight away: eco-friendly toiletries, lights and air conditioning that switch off automatically when nobody is in the room, and a towel reuse policy.
Hoteltechnology
Interconnected devices
Have you ever heard of the “smart hostel”? It is a system designed to replace checking in at a hotel, opening doors, changing the lighting and temperature and lighting the candles with the press of a button (on your smartphone). So in 2019, we will see more and more connected rooms in hotels. Assuming every employee and guest has a personal device, it will be far easier to communicate with the hotel server and thus access the room controls.
In 2019, say goodbye to the paper welcome book and go digital! StyQR lets you surprise your guests with how modern your methods are, while giving them all the practical information they might need during their stay. No more constant calls to reception, and no more forgotten details.
Create your digital welcome book quickly and free of charge, then add the information you need (wifi code, keypad code, local recommendations, guidance on how the appliances work, useful numbers and so on). To open it, guests simply scan the QR code created just for you. You can turn that QR code into a genuine decorative feature by placing it, for example, in a frame that suits your interior perfectly.
Frequently asked questions
Why offer activities and events at the hotel? Guests want to feel comfortable and integrated, not just accommodated. By offering sports, cultural, or artistic activities in your hotel's common areas or elsewhere, you create an emotional connection and build loyalty. It's also a chance to inform them about entertainment options in your city, which strengthens your property's appeal.
How do I find my hotel's DNA? Start with your hotel's founding story and use it as a foundation. Then define your universe through your visual identity, colors, furniture style, and décor. An unusual service or even a detail like your employees' uniforms can become a marker of your identity. The image you project should authentically reflect who you truly are.
What is the role of food in guest experience? The majority of travelers choose a hotel primarily for its food. Incorporate a signature chef's dish into your menu and highlight regional or national culinary specialties to transport your guests. You can also offer cooking classes or surprise them with breakfast in bed, while using organic ingredients from local farms.
How do I reduce my hotel's environmental footprint? In 2019, travelers are increasingly committed to becoming eco-responsible. By reducing your environmental footprint, you attract more guests while saving money. Offer eco-friendly toiletries, install lights and air conditioning that automatically turn off when no one is in the room, and implement a towel reuse policy.
What is a digital welcome book and what is it for? The digital welcome book replaces the paper version in 2019. It provides travelers with all the practical information they need during their stay: wifi code, door codes, restaurant recommendations, appliance instructions, useful numbers. Guests access it by scanning a QR code, which reduces calls to the front desk and forgotten information.
How should I use social media and newsletters to communicate? Use social media, newsletters, apps, or SMS to share quality information with unique content. This is a way to build awareness of your property, build guest loyalty, and unite your team around your story and values. The image you project on these channels will reflect your hotel's identity.
To implement these trends effectively, here's what each area offers you in concrete terms:
| Area | Key actions | Guest benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Activities, social media, newsletters, SMS, unique content | Feel included and at ease |
| Storytelling | Brand charter, colours, furnishings, décor, distinctive uniforms | Connect with the hotel's unique identity |
| Gastronomy | Chef's signature dish, regional specialities, cooking classes, local organic ingredients, breakfast in bed | Feel transported and surprised |
| Ecology | Eco-friendly toiletries, automatic lighting and AC, towel reuse policy | Align values with the hotel and save money |
| Smart rooms | Check-in, door locks, lights, temperature, candles controlled via smartphone | Complete comfort and autonomy |
| Digital welcome guide | Scannable QR code, practical information (wifi, codes, addresses, tips), accessible from smartphone | Immediate access to info, fewer front desk calls |
