Before You Buy a Hotel: How to Make A Hotel Stay a Personalized Experience

Before you buy a hotel, you should ask yourself: Have I thought about my future guests’ experience? With all the planning and work involved in setting up a hotel, it can be easy to forget the most basic but most important part of your hotel. Southeast International has some guidance on making sure your guests have a unique stay.

Make Sure It’s a Personal Experience

A brief stay at a perfectly serviceable hotel is fine, but it’s also forgettable. Making a hotel stay a personal experience also makes it a lasting memory—making it more likely that each guest will not only return but also leave a favorable review or recommend you to others.

This is especially true for a hotel that’s part of a bigger chain. If you’re looking to buy a hotel as part of a franchise, be careful not to assume that the brand will automatically improve your guests’ perception. If anything, making their stay stand out is even more important here, because it lets them know that, even as part of an established name, you still make time for a personal touch.

Recognizing Your Regulars

Regulars are a great benefit to a hotel, and when you’re considering whether to buy a hotel yourself, give some thought to how you handle anyone who makes frequent use of your service. Pay attention to who stays at the location, and get to know regular names and faces.

If you do establish a few regular guests, make sure that not just you but also your other members of staff know them by name. Make a point to remember their preferences, and tailor their experience accordingly. A friendly, welcoming environment is pleasant for everyone, and your regular guests will appreciate you for it all the more.

Prepare For Your Guests Ahead of Time

Being able to customize a stay at a hotel is easier than ever thanks to internet booking, so if you’re looking to buy a hotel, plan on giving your guests a lot of options before they’ve even confirmed their stay.

Give guests the opportunity to choose their preferences via your website, app, or through follow-up emails. This is an ideal opportunity to query about dietary requirements or other specifics that can make the guest feel more at home before they even arrive.

Be Engaging, But Give Them Space

The useful information you can garner from allowing guests to personalize their booking is something you should pass on to your staff. This way, they will also be ready for any specific requests. It’s also important to make this engagement personal.

It is too easy, especially if you’re planning to buy a hotel as part of a bigger and busier franchise, to lose out on making time for guests. Help your staff to learn how to be engaging and conversational, while keeping time and efficiency in mind.

You should also establish boundaries with your staff, letting them know what to ask and what not ask guests. Guidance on appropriate conversation is important in setting a welcoming and friendly environment. It’s also important that both you and your staff understand when to leave your guests in peace to enjoy their stay. Balance being friendly with allowing guests their privacy.

Guest Relations When You Buy a Hotel

There is a lot to think about when you buy a hotel, but guest relationships are one of your absolute top priorities. Always think about how anything you do at your hotel—from training staff, to renovations, to expansion—will affect the experience of your guests. Always make sure each experience is unique by taking the time to get to know who your guests are. For more advice, contact Southeast International Hotel Brokers today.