Five Ways To Create A Luxury Lifestyle Hotel

Looking to wow your guests with your accommodation and services? In this article Rachael Kiss, Marketing and Online Manager for hospitality equipment retailer Alliance Online, explains how you can create a cutting-edge, accessible luxury lifestyle hotel.

After the past couple of years, it's safe to say that we all deserve a little more luxury in our lives. And with staycation season just around the corner, it's likely that holidaymakers will be looking to stay in luxurious accommodation without paying over the odds.

Enter luxury lifestyle hotels. This type of accommodation is similar to boutique hotels, as they are trendy, intimate, and very charming too. However, lifestyle hotels tend to be much more accessible and affordable than the boutique alternative. This is great for consumers as they don't have to choose between price and quality.

Whether you're rebranding your current hotel into a luxury lifestyle hotel or starting from scratch, make sure to use the following five tips to impress your guests and help your business thrive.

Invest in the latest in-room technology

Luxury lifestyle hotels are cutting edge, so it's important to stay up to date with the latest technology used in the industry to impress your guests. As well as making their stay as comfortable as possible, giving guests access to technology they may not find in many other accommodations may keep them coming back for more.

There are a number of new technology trends to keep up to date with in 2022, which will benefit both your customers and your business. For example, a room service app allows guests who don't enjoy making phone calls to order their food with the click of a button. Plus, you won't have to print off a new menu every time you change your dishes, which will save you some money and cut down your carbon footprint too. Other types of in-room technology to make your guests' stay even more enjoyable include USB charging ports, smart televisions, and smart speakers.

Craft a unique and varied menu for your restaurant

An important part of the hotel experience for guests is the dining, so it's a good idea to spend a lot of time perfecting the onsite restaurant. Having a high-quality onsite restaurant will make it easier for guests who want to enjoy a meal as close to their rooms as possible after a busy day exploring, and your business will earn some extra revenue too.

Of course, one of the most important aspects of your restaurant will be the menu, so make sure it's appetising and comes with a wide variety of dishes to choose from. Many people in the UK have dietary restrictions, so make sure to cater to people with nut allergies and lactose and gluten intolerances. And, as 14% of the UK population are currently following a meat-free diet (Finder), you should have a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan products on offer too.

To make your menu as unique as possible, use seasonal ingredients in your dishes. This is great for regular guests as it allows them to choose something different each time. It will also lower the cost of your ingredients, which can therefore make the dishes more affordable for guests.

Provide bespoke personal experiences

One of the things people love most about going on holiday is having unforgettable experiences and making memories with their nearest and dearest. So, to make it as easy as possible for your customer to enjoy their stay to the fullest, offer a selection of bespoke personal experiences for them to take part in.

By tailoring these to the needs of your guest, you can rest assured knowing that they're happy with their experience. And as a survey by Epsilon found 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase when brands offer personalised experiences, you're more likely to gain regular guests by offering a bespoke and an individually customised service.

You may want to offer a wide selection of events such as family-friendly activities like fun workshops and cycling tours, and bespoke experiences for couples, such as wine tasting, stargazing, and tours of local attractions. To find out more about which type of experiences your guests are interested in, provide them with an opportunity to tell you the kinds of activities they'd like to learn more about when making their booking.

Have health and wellbeing at the forefront of everything you do

Health and wellbeing have become incredibly important to consumers. In fact, the health and wellness industry has been on an upward trend for some time now, and in 2020 the industry was worth an impressive £19 billion­ in the UK alone (Wellness Creatives). And in terms of your new business, there are a variety of ways to prioritise health and wellbeing in your luxury lifestyle hotel.

For starters, you should make sure you have the highest hygiene standards to make guests feel comfortable throughout their stay. This should apply to all areas of the hotel, from the reception to the guest rooms to the restaurant. Clearly advertise your hygiene practices both in the booking stage and at the hotel for the guests' peace of mind.

You can also offer a variety of health and wellbeing services for guests. Yoga experiences, beauty treatments or products for in-room self-care pamper sessions, and the option for massages in the comfort of the guests' rooms are all unique services that are bound to set your luxury lifestyle hotel apart from the rest.

Make the most of local businesses

To make your business truly unique, make the most of your local area by using products by local businesses. Not only is this a great way to differentiate your business from any chain hotels in the area, but you will also be contributing to the local economy and showing guests just how much the area has to offer. Plus, if you build good relationships with local businesses and give them exposure, you may even be able to get a discount on their services.

There are a variety of ways to show off the talent in your local area, including:

•               Decorating guest rooms and communal areas with the work of local artists.

•               Using fresh local produce, which will both lower the carbon footprint of dishes and make the restaurant's food taste even more fresh and delicious.

•               Using local services for your experience days, such as local tour guides for walking tours or nearby independent bakeries for baking classes.

Building relationships with local businesses will help you establish your luxury lifestyle hotel in the local community and build a great reputation in your area, so remember to make the most of nearby businesses.

If you're looking to create a luxury lifestyle hotel that will stand out from the rest, make sure to use the tips above. And for more advice on all things hospitality, check out the rest of the blog posts at Laura Anne Hospitality Consultant.