Hotel Room Selling Techniques: How Hotels Are Rethinking Hotel Rooms – By Heather Apse
Hotel managers like you are constantly seeking innovative ways to maximize revenue and attract more guests, especially in the lucrative group and event sales market. By reimagining spaces and amenities, hotels are discovering new selling techniques that not only fill rooms but also create unique experiences for guests. Let’s explore how hotels are rethinking their approach to room sales and leveraging their properties to encourage group and event bookings.
How to Sell Hotel Rooms with Creativity
1. Offer Flexible Guest Room Configurations
Modern hotels are moving away from the traditional fixed room layout. Instead, they’re opting for modular designs that allow for easy reconfiguration. This flexibility enables hotels to:
- Combine adjacent rooms to create larger suites for families or executive retreats
- Transform standard rooms into small meeting spaces for breakout sessions
- Offer a mix of room types to accommodate diverse group needs
This adaptability is particularly appealing for event planners who need versatile spaces for different activities throughout their stay.
2. Enhance Spaces with Technology
Hotels are integrating cutting-edge technology to make their rooms more attractive for both individual travelers and groups:
- Smart room controls for lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems
- Built-in videoconferencing capabilities for hybrid meetings
- Interactive digital walls for presentations or personalized guest experiences
These tech-forward amenities can be significant selling points for corporate groups and tech-savvy event organizers.
3. Provide Themed Rooms and Experiences
To stand out from competitors, some hotels are creating themed rooms or floors that offer immersive experiences:
- Wellness-focused rooms with in-room fitness equipment and meditation spaces
- Art-inspired rooms showcasing local artists’ work
- Historical or culturally themed rooms that reflect the local area
These unique offerings can attract special interest groups or add an extra dimension to themed events and conferences.
4. Give Communal Spaces Within Room Blocks
Hotels are reimagining hallways and other underutilized spaces within room blocks to create communal areas for group interaction:
- Lounge areas with comfortable seating and refreshment stations
- Small work pods for impromptu meetings or quiet work sessions
- Game rooms or recreational spaces for team-building activities
These shared spaces can be a major selling point for groups looking to foster connection and collaboration during their stay.
5. Improve Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Properties with outdoor spaces are leveraging them to extend the usable area of their rooms:
- Rooms with private balconies or patios that can serve as individual breakout spaces
- Ground-floor rooms with direct access to gardens or pool areas
- Rooftop spaces connected to top-floor rooms for VIP experiences or small gatherings
This indoor-outdoor connectivity can be particularly appealing for groups hosting events in favorable climates.
6. Provide Multi-Functional In-Room Amenities
Hotels are equipping rooms with versatile furnishings and amenities that serve multiple purposes:
- Desks that convert into dining tables
- Murphy beds that transform spaces from bedrooms to meeting rooms
- Built-in kitchenettes for long-stay guests or small group catering
These features allow hotels to market their rooms for a wider range of uses, from standard overnight stays to small group meetings or extended residencies.
7. Focus on Wellness and Sustainability
With growing interest in health and environmental consciousness, hotels are adapting rooms to meet these demands:
- Allergy-friendly rooms with air purifiers and hypoallergenic bedding
- Eco-suites featuring sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems
- In-room wellness amenities like yoga mats, meditation apps, and healthy mini-bar options
Tonal’s partnership with The Four Seasons’ Silicon Valley property to install their equipment in guest rooms, providing customers with AI fitness training directly in the comfort of their room. For hotels that do not have these partnerships, you can still offer guests in-room fitness training. In most cases, hoteliers are offering to bring gym equipment (as long as it’s mobile) to a guest’s room to enjoy throughout their stay.
These offerings can be particularly attractive for wellness retreats, eco-conscious organizations, or health-focused events.
8. Highlight Local Collaboration Spaces
Some hotels are partnering with local businesses to create unique in-hotel experiences:
- Pop-up shops featuring local artisans within room blocks
- In-hotel co-working spaces that blend guest rooms with shared work areas
- Rooms connected to on-site art galleries or museums
These collaborations can attract groups looking for a more integrated local experience during their stay.
9. It’s All About Personalization
Hotels are offering increased personalization options for group bookings:
- Customizable room décor packages for corporate branding or event themes
- Personalized welcome amenities tailored to group preferences
- Ability to pre-select room features like pillow type, snack options, or entertainment content
This level of customization can make group organizers feel valued and increase the likelihood of return bookings.
10. Show Virtual Reality Previews
To help sell rooms and event spaces, especially for group bookings, hotels are utilizing virtual reality technology:
- 360-degree room tours allow planners to explore spaces remotely
- VR simulations of room setups and event layouts
- Interactive floor plans for visualizing group distributions
This technology can be a powerful selling tool, particularly for planners who can’t visit the property in person before booking. Check out Tripleseat Floorplans. Our floorplan software combines the simplicity of 2D layouts with the immersive power of 3D visualization, all within a single, user-friendly platform. With Tripleseat Floorplans, you can save time, enhance your proposals, and close more deals, all while delivering unforgettable experiences that keep your clients coming back for more.
The Setai Hotel in Miami: A Beacon of Modern Hospitality Innovation
The Setai Hotel in Miami comes to mind when it comes to utilizing their rooms creatively. They redefine luxury with flexible, modular room designs. Moving away from traditional layouts, The Setai offers reconfigurable spaces to meet diverse needs. Adjacent rooms combine into large suites for families or executive retreats, and standard rooms transform into meeting spaces for business travelers, appealing to event planners seeking versatile spaces.
The Setai enhances guest experiences with cutting-edge technology, including smart room controls, built-in videoconferencing, and interactive digital walls. These amenities cater to both individual travelers and corporate groups, establishing The Setai as a leader in modern hospitality.
Melding Luxury with Unique Experiences at The Setai Hotel
The Setai stands out with themed rooms and floors offering immersive experiences. Wellness-focused rooms, art-inspired spaces, and culturally themed rooms reflect Miami’s heritage, attracting special interest groups and enriching themed events.
The Setai excels in creating communal spaces within room blocks, fostering group interaction with lounge areas, work pods, and game rooms. The hotel leverages Miami’s climate with private balconies, garden access, and rooftop spaces for VIP experiences.
Multi-functional in-room amenities, like convertible desks, Murphy beds, and kitchenettes, cater to short-term and long-term guests. The Setai also commits to wellness and sustainability with allergy-friendly rooms, eco-suites, and wellness amenities, appealing to wellness retreats and eco-conscious events.
Collaborating with local businesses, The Setai offers unique in-hotel experiences like pop-up shops, co-working spaces, and rooms connected to art galleries. Personalized group booking options enhance satisfaction and loyalty, making The Setai a top choice for events in Miami.
Rethink Traditional Hotel Room Designs and Functionalities
Properties are creating more compelling offerings for group and event sales. These innovative approaches not only maximize the use of available space but also provide unique selling points that set hotels apart in a crowded market. As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more creative ways of reimagining hotel rooms to meet the changing needs of travelers and event planners alike.
Driving Hotel Business with Tripleseat for Hotels
If you’re launching new ways to drive hotel bookings, make sure to use a tool like Tripleseat for Hotels to help you increase and manage the group sales that are essential for filling hotel guest rooms, booking event function spaces, growing banquet revenues, and increasing your overall revenue. Schedule a demo to learn more about Tripleseat.
Heather Apse
Heather is a Content Specialist at Tripleseat. Connect with Heather on LinkedIn.
Categories: Sales and Marketing