Amenities are often used to surprise and delight guests with elevated touches they weren’t anticipating. Such amenities don’t have to break the bank. A well-laid-out room with the basics in place and a bit of extra thoughtfulness is enough to make guests remember you for the right reasons…. and recommend you to their friends. Here’s where to start.
Strong Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi has made the leap from amenity to necessity, with 90 percent of travelers considering it a must-have. To comply with modern expectations, connectivity should be seamless and reliable across the entire property, not only within guest rooms. Ensure that bandwidth is strong enough for streaming and video conferencing; another 43 percent of guests asserted that their hotels did not have adequate bandwidth.
In addition to meeting established service standards, robust property-wide Wi-Fi serves as the essential foundation for your digital suite, supporting everything from self check-in to guest messaging.
Pay special attention to network security—hospitality systems are attractive to malefactors because they hold sensitive guest data. Thirty-one percent of hospitality businesses have experienced a breach. To mitigate these risks, isolate guest and administrative networks while partnering with specialized providers that maintain encryption and proactive firewall management.
If Wi-Fi isn’t possible for your mountain yurt or deep forest campground, don’t despair. Market your space as a sanctuary to disconnect. This aligns guest expectations with reality and attracts travelers specifically seeking digital detox.
Plenty of Outlets
These days, travelers bring multiple devices, making accessible charging stations a critical guest expectation. Meet this demand by providing well-placed outlets at bedside tables and desks. For older buildings where infrastructure is fixed, integrated lamp outlets, extension cords, or USB-C hubs offer professional, affordable solutions that enable guests to remain connected and powered up throughout their stay. Be aware that outlets will show wear and tear over time and replace any that no longer function.
Complimentary Breakfast
From families looking to fuel up before exploring the sights to extended-stay workers hitting the road, everyone appreciates a free breakfast. Whether you offer a full spread or selection of grab-and-go options, the priority should be a clean, safe, and efficient dining experience. For properties looking to streamline operations and forgo the need for food service licensing, high-quality pre-packaged selections provide a convenient solution for both operators and guests.
With 21 percent of guests traveling for wellness and over half of American households managing dietary restrictions, healthy, inclusive food options confer a powerful competitive advantage. Clearly label allergens and maintain strict cross-contamination protocols. For high-risk sensitivities, offer premium sealed items like yogurts or protein bars.
Elevate your breakfast service with local specialties. Not only is this environmentally-sound practice, it allows guests to explore your destination in a whole new way—through their taste buds. This can be as simple as collecting produce from your kitchen garden or partnering with the pâtisserie down the street.
If on-site dining isn’t feasible, curate a guide to nearby culinary options to ensure your guests enjoy the best in the area and position your property as a well-connected authority.
Temperature Control
Comfort is non-negotiable, as 74 percent of travelers will not return to a property with poor climate control. Install thermostats guests can adjust from within the room and prioritize quiet systems. For an optimal balance of hospitality and sustainability, implement smart technology to manage energy use in unoccupied rooms.
Climate control is equally vital in high-traffic areas like lobbies and restaurants. Maintain a balanced, comfortable temperature—avoiding excessive cooling or heating—to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages guests to linger and enjoy your amenities.
Contactless check-in improves the guest experience by allowing them to skip the lobby line and offering seamless access for late-night arrivals. Seventy-one percent of travelers prefer this option.
Implementing self check-in is easy with a property management system (PMS) that offers payment processing and mobile key integration. Using WebRezPro’s guest agreements, guests complete registration, securely submitting payment details and digitally signing terms and conditions prior to arrival. On the check-in date, the mobile key integration automatically triggers the generation of a digital key so that they can bypass the front desk entirely. The key deactivates at the end of the stay.
Smart TVs
After a long day of sightseeing, guests are ready to lounge on your comfy beds and enjoy their favorite streaming services. More than 70 percent of travelers want to access these services while at their hotel, so it’s worth investing in smart TVs that connect to the internet directly. As with other aspects of hospitality, it’s all about personalization. Guests personalize their stay by bringing their preferred content with them.
You can also explore branded entertainment options like Aruvo or HOTstream that showcase property features and amenities on screen.
Bathroom Doors
Your most important bathroom amenity isn’t the bath salts or the little toiletries—it’s the door. While trends in open-concept design have experimented with glass partitions or open entries, guest feedback is clear that a fully enclosed, sound-insulated bathroom is essential. The Bring Back Doors database exists for those who wish to be assured of their privacy before they book, and guests can find out if your layout is less than ideal.
Your shower door or curtains should be opaque as well, maximizing privacy if more than one guest needs to use the space.
Small Necessities
Proactively stock rooms with travel necessities that guests may forget such as toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, and earplugs or supply these extras at the front desk. Pay special attention to items like earplugs that guests may not necessarily use at home but that would be helpful at your hotel. By anticipating these small needs, you transform a potential inconvenience into a signature mark of hospitality.
Pet-friendly Rooms
Fifty-three percent of pet owners wish to travel with their furry companions, so offer pet-friendly rooms and amenities to capture this demand. Pet perks do not have to be especially fancy; start with the basics such as waterbowls and a dedicated relief area. Doggy daycare is optional.
Establish clear policies within your guest agreement, such as guidelines for unattended pets, to ensure a pleasant experience for all travelers. Certain rooms should also remain pet free to accommodate guests with allergies.
Delivering an exceptional stay is achievable on any budget. Use these simple amenities to craft a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere that turns first-time visitors into loyal guests.
