holidays Archives - American Hotel Blog

Playing the Holiday Host

November 20, 2014

The holidays are in full swing and travelers are gearing up for some festive fun on the road! It’s at this time every year that roads get busier and, hopefully, your property fills up quickly. Are you doing the most you can to market your hotel as a house of holiday fun? Here are some tips to play the perfect host to your guests this season.

Holidays are about family. So, it stands to reason that many of your guests will be traveling with their children or relatives. Build interest in your venue this season by offering vacation packages tailored to families. Discounted rates on blocks of rooms, restaurant vouchers, and access to family-friendly activities are all great options to include in your family vacation packages.

Embrace diversity. It’s perfectly okay to emphasis a particular holiday in your venue, but it’s a nice gesture to acknowledge other holidays that take place throughout the season. Whether that’s something as small as making a note of it on your venue’s online calendar or something as grand as a feast or party surrounding said holiday, any gesture to acknowledge other holiday events will make guests of all different backgrounds feel welcome. And just for your reference:

Hanukkah: Dec. 17^th – 24^th
Christmas Day: Dec. 25^th
Kwanzaa: Dec. 26^th – Jan. 1^st

Get festive. ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Give your guests something to get excited about with fun activities to spread the holiday cheer. Parades, tree-lighting ceremonies and gingerbread house competitions are all popular options, but don’t be afraid to put your own creative spin on activities. Just be sure to include a few things that are specifically kid-friendly. Happy parents are happy guests.

Decorate your venue on and offline. Of course you know to decorate the venue itself with twinkling lights and holiday flair, but have you put any thought into your online presence? You can add allure to your venue as a holiday destination by promoting your festive spirit online. Change your Facebook cover photo to a picture of your property all lit up or something else that shows holiday spirit. If you can coordinate it, add something festive to your website, as well, with updated photos or holiday graphics, and be sure to feature your holiday packages and offerings front and center on the site.

Go the extra mile. Let’s be honest here. Each and every one of us has scrambled to do some last minute holiday shopping at one point. Help your guests out in a shopping emergency (or just a much needed mall break) by offering shuttle services to local shops or malls.

Don’t forget the food! Last, but certainly not least, holiday food. It’s a huge part of the season and thus, there should be a large emphasis on it at your venue. Consider laying out some refreshments in your lobby for guests to munch on throughout the day or at key points in the day.

If your property boasts an on-premises restaurant, you’ll definitely want to create a holiday menu. Anything from sit-down service to a grand buffet is sure to draw in a crowd. If you don’t have food service available in-venue, consider partnering with some local restaurants that you can direct guests to for their holiday feast.

How are you celebrating the holidays at your property? We’d like to know! Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section.

Tips on hosting over the holidays

December 18, 2013

Tips on hosting over the holidays

In the hotel and hospitality world, the holiday season is often one of the busiest times of the year. Here are six tips to help fill your guests with the holiday spirit.

Tempt with holiday packages
Between gifts, gas, airfare and everything else that comes along with travelling during the season, holiday travel is expensive. In order to lure more patrons to your hospitality venue, you may need to offer unique packages. Think a pre-decorated room, discounted tickets for local holiday events like ice-skating or sleigh rides, and vouchers to your dining establishment or a local restaurant.
Deck the halls
Nothing says “holidays” like some festive décor. It’s easy enough to string up a few strands of lights and place some poinsettias around your venue. The charming, inviting feel it will invoke is bound to make guests feel welcome and full of holiday spirit!
Spa your way to happiness
Of course, not all hospitality properties have a spa, but if you do, creating some holiday themed spa options is a great opportunity to get guests spending and feeling full of holiday joy.
Keep stress levels low
Holidays can be stressful and holidays away from the usual comforts of home even more so. Offering easy adjustments for the holiday season, such as a late check out and concierge-type services available to all guests, can turn otherwise stressed guests into happier and grateful patrons.
Warm hearts with warm drinks
When it’s cold outside all of your guests will be craving something warm. Make them feel cozy and at-home with a variety of hot drink offerings, whether it’s complimentary in the lobby or individual packages in-room.
Fun and family bonding
During the holidays, there is an emphasis on family bonding. Give your guests the opportunity to spend some fun quality time together by offering a few family-friendly activities. If you have an outdoor area, offering complimentary s’mores to roast over a fire could be a fun option. If your venue is entirely indoors or more pressed for space, something as simple as providing a selection of board games is a great alternative.

By enacting just a few of these simple tips, you’ll keep your hospitality venue buzzing with business and cheerful guests all through out the holiday season. It’s a happy relationship for both host and patron and, after all, ‘tis the season to be jolly!

Prepare Your Property For The Winter Months

October 22, 2012

The onset of fall means it’s time to prepare for the change in seasons! From getting rooms up to par and ready for cool weather to planning for holiday décor and events, the winter months bring ample opportunity to impress guests with getting the subtle details right.

Something as simple as providing pumpkin spice coffee or peppermint hot cocoa in the lobby can be a warm welcome to guests coming in from the cold. Depending on the holiday, tasteful décor can also really put guests in the festive spirit. Use fall gords and squashes, neutral colors and dried autumn flowers in the weeks leading up to Halloween and Thanksgiving. Crisp pine scents, poinsettias, and simple accents of gold and silver can be used during December. It’s important to stay tasteful and subtle with décor – remember that less is often more.

When it comes to guest rooms, comfort is key. Make sure you have satisfactory heating devices, bedding and comforters.Providing plush robes and slippers for your guests can really be a pleasant surprise. Have any windows that aren’t directly accessible? Cover them with plastic coating. Extra insulation can go a long way towards saving on heating bills, and can help keep guest rooms warm and cozy.

We’re sure you’re already feeling the crisp air, so get started now. Browse our website to see how you can ensure a warm, welcoming, and festive holiday vacation for your guests this year.