Say Goodbye to Boring Hotel Stays
Ever walked into a hotel room and felt like you could be anywhere in the world? That’s becoming a thing of the past. Lifestyle hotels are shaking things up in the hotel world. They’re not just places to sleep; they’re experiences that make your trip unforgettable.
In this article, we’ll look at why these hotels are becoming so popular. We’ll show you what makes them special and how they’re changing the way we think about travel. Whether you run a hotel or just love to travel, you’ll see why these new hotels are making waves.
What’s a Lifestyle Hotel?
Think of lifestyle hotels as the cool cousins of boutique hotels. They mix unique design, local culture, and personal touches with the good parts of big hotel chains. It’s not just about having a comfy bed anymore. These hotels create spaces that feel right for today’s travelers.
They started with the boutique hotel trend back in the 1980s. But while boutique hotels stayed small, lifestyle hotels took the idea and made it bigger. Now they can handle more guests but still keep that personal feel.
Things That Make Lifestyle Hotels Special
What sets these hotels apart? Let’s break it down:
Eye-Catching Design
Walk into a lifestyle hotel, and you’ll notice the difference right away:
- Bold colors and interesting art
- A mix of local style and global trends
- Spaces that make you want to hang out and meet people
Local Flavor
These hotels don’t just exist in a city; they become part of it:
- They work with local artists and craftspeople
- Their restaurants serve local food
- They host events that celebrate local culture
It’s All About You
One size fits all? Not here:
- Rooms you can customize
- Staff who remember what you like
- Tech that knows your preferences
High-Tech Touches
From check-in to check-out, tech makes things easier:
- Use your phone as your room key
- Order room service from a tablet
- Fast Wi-Fi everywhere
- Control your room’s lights and temperature from your phone
How They’re Different from Regular Hotels
Let’s see how lifestyle hotels stack up against the competition:
Vs. Big Chain Hotels
Chain hotels are the same everywhere. Lifestyle hotels give you a surprise every time. You know exactly what you’ll get at a Marriott or Hilton, but a lifestyle hotel promises something new.
Vs. Boutique Hotels
Boutique hotels started this trend, but lifestyle hotels are different:
- They can be bigger
- They use more advanced tech
- They appeal to a wider range of people
Who Stays at Lifestyle Hotels?
Typical guests are:
- Good with technology
- Looking for new experiences
- Often younger, but not always
- Willing to pay more for something special
How Lifestyle Hotels Make Money
It’s not just about renting rooms. These hotels have other ways to make money:
- Restaurants and bars that locals love too
- Work spaces for people who travel for business
- Shops selling local products
- Spaces for weddings, meetings, and parties
The trick is to keep what makes the hotel special while growing bigger. Successful brands do this by:
- Keeping some things the same at all their hotels, but letting each one have its own personality
- Choosing locations that fit their style
Some big hotel companies are even letting independent hotels use their name and style. This helps the big companies grow fast while the smaller hotels keep their local feel.
5 Ways to Get People Talking About Your Lifestyle Hotel
Getting the word out about your hotel takes some creative thinking. Here are five ideas:
Use Social Media and Work with Influencers
In the age of Instagram, your hotel needs to look good in photos:
- Invite travel influencers to stay and share their experience
- Create a special hashtag for your hotel
- Encourage guests to share photos with prizes
Create Photo-Worthy Spots
Design your hotel with social media in mind:
- Put in eye-catching art
- Create spots that are perfect for photos
- Offer experiences people will want to share online
Tell Your Hotel’s Story
Your hotel should have a story:
- Make it reflect the local area
- Make sure it fits with what your ideal guests care about
- Keep the story the same on your website, in your ads, and in the hotel itself
Know Your Ideal Guest
Figure out who you want to stay at your hotel:
- Use data to understand what your guests like
- Make ads that will appeal to them
- Create special deals for different types of guests
Create Experiences, Not Just Stays
Go beyond just advertising:
- Host events that show off local talent
- Offer classes or workshops (like cooking classes or art lessons)
- Team up with local brands for special experiences
Tech Tools for Lifestyle Hotels: Spotlight on AxisRooms
Running a lifestyle hotel means juggling many tasks. That's where tech tools like AxisRooms come in handy. Their channel manager is a game-changer for lifestyle hotels looking to stand out.
Why AxisRooms' Channel Manager Matters
- Manage all your online bookings in one place.
- Update room availability instantly across all booking sites.
- Avoid overbookings, which can hurt your hotel's reputation.
Imagine changing your rates on all platforms with just a few clicks. Or getting a last-minute booking and having your availability updated everywhere automatically. That's the power of a good channel manager.
For lifestyle hotels with unique room types or special packages, this tool is super helpful. It lets you showcase what makes your hotel special across all booking channels, without the headache of manual updates.
By using tools like this, you can spend less time on admin work and more time making your hotel the talk of the town. After all, isn't that what lifestyle hotels are all about?
Now, let's look at what's next for lifestyle hotels.
What’s Next for Lifestyle Hotels?
Here’s what we think is coming:
Going Green
Guests care more about the environment, so hotels are:
- Trying to produce no waste
- Using energy-saving systems
- Using local, eco-friendly materials
Focus on Health and Wellness
Health is a big deal, and hotels are jumping on board:
- Putting exercise equipment in rooms
- Creating spaces for meditation
- Offering healthy, locally-sourced food
Super Local Experiences
Hotels are becoming gateways to really local experiences:
- Tours led by people who really know the area
- Teaming up with local businesses for guest-only experiences
- Rooms designed to reflect local themes or history
New Tech to Make Stays Better
The future is high-tech but still personal:
- AI concierges that can answer questions any time
- Virtual reality to preview hotel experiences
- Secure, personalized guest profiles
Fashion Brands Opening Hotels
Some luxury brands are getting into the hotel business:
- Shinola Hotel in Detroit
- Baccarat Hotel in New York
- Bulgari Hotel in London
- Armani Hotel in Dubai
These hotels let guests live the lifestyle of these luxury brands.
Hotels That Are Getting It Right
Let’s look at some success stories:
Ace Hotel
What They Do Well:
- They really focus on local culture and community
- They create spaces for both work and fun
- They work with local artists and musicians
What We Can Learn: Making your hotel feel like part of the local community can make it a favorite spot for both travelers and locals.
CitizenM
What They Do Well:
- They use a lot of tech, like mobile check-in and smart room controls
- They offer affordable luxury by focusing on what’s really important
- All their hotels feel the same, in a good way
What We Can Learn: Figure out what really matters to your guests and do it really well. This can help you grow fast.
Bumps in the Road (and How to Get Over Them)
Keeping What Makes You Special as You Grow
As lifestyle hotels get bigger, they might lose what made them special. To avoid this:
- Create guidelines that let each hotel have its own personality
- Train staff really well
- Keep coming up with new ideas
Changing What Travelers Want
The pandemic changed what people look for in a hotel. Lifestyle hotels can use this:
- Show that you’re clean and safe, but still stylish
- Let people change their bookings easily
- Create spaces for both short and long stays
Balancing Tech and Human Touch
Tech is important, but so are people. The challenge is:
- Use tech to make things better, not to replace people
- Train staff to give great service in a high-tech hotel
- Use data to personalize stays without being creepy
Dealing with Climate Change
Weather events are affecting hotels. Lifestyle hotels need to think about:
- Higher insurance costs in some areas (20% to 50% more)
- Getting ready for extreme weather
- Using eco-friendly practices to appeal to guests who care about the environment
Wrapping It Up: The Future of Hotels
It’s clear that lifestyle hotels are more than just a trend. They’re changing what we expect from hotels. By focusing on unique experiences, local connections, and personal service, these hotels are setting new standards for travel.
If you run a hotel, the message is clear: change or get left behind. There’s a big opportunity to create memorable, shareable, and truly local experiences. Whether you’re thinking about changing your existing hotel or starting a new one, the lifestyle hotel model offers a way to stand out.
Remember, every great lifestyle hotel has a story – one that connects with guests and makes them want to come back. What will your hotel’s story be?
Key Points to Remember:
- Lifestyle hotels mix unique design, local culture, and personal experiences
- Tech plays a big role in making stays better
- Being eco-friendly and focusing on wellness are becoming more important
- Successful lifestyle hotels feel like part of the local community
- The future of hotels is about creating memorable, shareable experiences
Now, think about this: what if you could turn those last-minute empty rooms into an opportunity? About 30% of hotel bookings happen at the last minute. That means travelers are looking for good deals. Get creative. A last-minute deal isn’t just about lowering prices; it’s a way to fill those empty rooms and get people talking about your lifestyle hotel.
Are you ready to shake things up and create a lifestyle hotel that travelers will love? The future of hotels is here, and it’s all about creating unforgettable experiences that keep guests coming back for more.