Hello, hotels. Goodbye, Airbnbs

Hello, hotels. Goodbye, Airbnbs
Above: Every room at The Nevada features a king-size bed and a deck overlooking Long Sands Beach. (Courtesy of The Nevada)

As the economy continues to sputter, travel is the latest frontier to take a hit. Demand isn't going anywhere, but customers are becoming more price conscious when it comes to getaways, and hotel room prices are beginning to level off. Plus, read on to see why Airbnb is feeling the pinch in particular. -Lesley McKenzie, Editor

In this issue:
🎶 Playlists are the new souvenir
🏩 Revamp goes from motel to marvel
👋 Hello, hotels. Goodbye, Airbnbs
😴 App zaps jetlag
🤝 Hotels flex the new hiring hack
Written by Pam Morales Worsham

GUEST EXPERIENCE

Hotels curate vacay soundtracks to take home 

Hotels are increasingly offering Spotify playlists as a memorable souvenir, allowing guests to relive their stay through curated music. These playlists capture the ambiance of the hotel and its locale, enhancing the guest experience both during and after their visit. From beachside resorts to urban retreats, hotels are using music to create lasting connections with their guests and extend their brand's vibe beyond the stay. (Inside Hook)

SPACE & DESIGN

York’s vintage Nevada gets a glow-up

The Nevada, a 70-year-old motel in York, Maine, has been transformed into a 21-room waterfront boutique hotel with a midcentury architectural style and an Art Deco beach aesthetic. Hoteliers Joe Lipton and Michelle Friar,along with CR Design, preserved the building's original structure while introducing modern features like private terraces and eco-friendly systems. The interiors showcase vibrant pop art pieces, peacock blue tiles, black and white terrazzo floors, and lavish glass showers, blending vintage charm with contemporary design. (Hospitality Design)

REVENUE & INVESTMENT

Report: Hotels outshine short-term rentals this summer

Summer travelers are showing a preference for hotels over short-term rentals like Airbnb, with 53% choosing hotels according to a Medallia survey. To capitalize on this trend, hotels should prioritize understanding guest preferences, personalizing experiences, and acting on employee insights to enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, building long-term loyalty through relevant rewards and consistent brand promises is crucial for retaining guests. (Hotel Dive)

TECHNOLOGY

Jetlag-busting app eases time-zone travel

 Timeshifter, a jetlag-fighting app, has been introduced by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to provide guests with personalized jetlag mitigation plans based on their sleep patterns, chronotype, and travel itinerary. The app uses the latest sleep science to help travelers adjust to new time zones more seamlessly, offering recommendations on when to seek or avoid light, sleep, and consume caffeine. Now available to all guests globally, Timeshifter is part of the brand's broader initiative to enhance guest wellness during travel. (Travel Pulse)

PEOPLE & STAFF

How childcare benefits are delivering top talent

As the demand for reliable childcare increases, many businesses, including hotels, are offering childcare benefits to attract and retain employees in a tight labor market. Providing on-site or subsidized childcare can alleviate the emotional and financial stress on working parents, potentially improving job satisfaction and performance. Although the initial investment in childcare services can be high, the long-term benefits include enhanced employee retention and productivity, which can ultimately drive hotel success. (Hotel Dive)


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