Every one of us likes to get gifts. It doesn't matter how small they are, but it makes you feel nice and cared for. Hoteliers can surprise their guests as well and make the stay more memorable.
Just a few months ago we were staying at a very small guest house. We were pleasantly surprised to find some fruits, sweets, and even a small bottle of sparkling wine in our room. It instantly made us feel expected and cared for. Let it be just a couple of mandarines or bonbons, but it's a nice gesture that leaves a good first impression of your temporary home for the next few days.
Gifts can be physical: such as gift baskets, chocolates, complimentary drinks, etc. And gifts also can be non-physical: like various services (welcome massage, access to SPA, discounts...).
First of all, the best and the most important gift that you can give to your guests - it's you. If you have a reception, make sure that employees are well rested, well informed about things happening around and they have a passion for what they do. If the guest is greeted with a smile and helpful tips, they will be thankful and feel cared for. An amazing service is a gift, that costs nothing to you, but will remain in your guests' memories for a long time.
Already in a few different blog posts, I mention how important it is to partner up with local businesses to be a valuable part of your community.🏖️ If you are a resort at the beach, there can't be a better gift than a beach resort gift bag. Include some essentials like sunscreen, a towel, an inflatable ball, and water, and pack everything in your branded bag.
💼 If your main focus is targeted towards business travelers, then they will be happy to find some complimentary (branded) pens, block notes, cafeteria vouchers, etc. in their room. If your guests usually need to pay for the Wi-Fi, then you can include a voucher for the business guests as a gift.
🍺 Are your main guests young people who like to party? Then what can be more useful than a hangover kit to save someone's life the morning after? Collect a few necessary items like Aspirin, water, energy drinks, and mints. These guests will be entirely thankful for such a gift.
👶 If you focus on families with children, there is no better way to win the hearts (at least of the little ones) than by leaving a basket with toys, coloring books, and sweets. Children will be occupied with their new items and parents will be able to enjoy the piece at least for a short time.
Cost-effective non-physical gifts can include personalized digital services or experiences, such as providing guests with exclusive access to online content, virtual city tours, or curated local playlists. Another option is to offer complimentary upgrades or discounts on future stays as a gesture of appreciation. These gifts add value to the guest experience without significant financial implications for the hotel.
Maintain the surprise element by incorporating a subtle mention of possible surprises in their pre-arrival communication. For example, they can use phrases like "Look forward to a special welcome surprise" without explicitly revealing the details. Additionally, incorporating a surprise element into the check-in process, where staff discreetly mention the availability of a thoughtful gift, can maintain the element of surprise while ensuring guests are aware of the hotel's efforts to enhance their stay.
Hoteliers can create guest surveys or questionnaires during the booking process to gather information about guest preferences, such as their purpose of travel, interests, and any specific requirements. Additionally, analyzing guest reviews and feedback can offer valuable insights into the preferences of different demographics. Hotels can customize their gift offerings to better align with the needs and preferences of their guests based on this research.
As mentioned at the beginning, people love getting things. Even if that's just a small chocolate on their pillow. You can make it more special and leave there a hand-made, branded chocolate. Such a small gesture will make guests feel happy and will set a good tone for the rest of their stay. If your gift basket includes long-lasting gifts like souvenirs or other items, then you can be sure you will be remembered even when the guest is already back home.