Do your hotel’s amenities align with the needs of the bleisure travel movement?

If you are not familiar with the buzzword in the travel industry – “bleisure travel”. It is a term to describe the combination of a “business” and a “leisure” trip. It represents one of the largest growing trends and is reshaping the way many people travel. More and more travelers are extending their business trips or working remotely a few days from their hotel. They then include a dash of leisure and extend their stay. Hotels are taking notice.

Longer stays, higher demands, and a large opportunity to seize more business.

In this blog, we’ll explore what bleisure travel is all about and how hotels can adapt to cater to this movement.

The Rise of Bleisure Travel

Imagine turning a mundane business trip or day at work into an opportunity for relaxation and adventure. That’s the essence of bleisure travel. Jetsetters are no longer content with flying in, attending meetings, and flying out. And with more and more “work from home” employees, many are using hotels as a way to change of scenery.

This trend has given rise to an interesting pattern—extended hotel stays and a preference for hotels that align with both sets of needs.

A recent article in the New York Post highlighted this phenomenon, showing how hotels are stepping up to meet the demands of bleisure travelers. It’s no longer just about a comfortable bed and a good breakfast; it’s about offering an all-encompassing experience.

Key Trends for 2024

So, how can hotels adapt to the trends of the bleisure travel movement and meet the needs of these travelers effectively without breaking the bank? Here are some tips:

• Offer a blend of business and leisure amenities. Ensure that your facilities, connectivity, and services cater to both aspects of travel.
• Focus on personalized experiences.
• Prioritize sleep quality. Comfortable mattresses, blackout curtains, and quiet rooms can make a world of difference.
• Embrace technology. Make it easy for guests to stay connected, whether for work or leisure.

The Extra Mile

Some hotels are going the extra mile to cater to the needs of bleisure travelers. To keep themselves competitive for these travelers, here’s what some hotels are doing to make their stay enjoyable and convenient:

1. Upgrading Fitness Equipment: Fitness enthusiasts want to keep up with their workout routines. Some hotels even moving to in-room Peloton bikes.
2. Allowing Prearrival Amenity Selection: A good night’s sleep and comfort are essential, and some hotels are allowing guests to choose certain amenities to be included in their stay to meet their needs. Even things like pillow choice (soft, medium, or hard).
3. Offering Digital Room Keys: Streamlining the check-in process, digital room keys are a time-saver that modern travelers appreciate.
4. Providing Plenty of Outlets: With an increasing number of devices, outlets are in high demand. Hotels need to ensure that there are plenty for guests to use.
5. Upgrading to Stronger Wi-Fi: More and more travelers are required to take meetings from the hotel. In 2023, every hotel should have Wi-Fi that can handle the demands of their guests.
6. Embracing Smart Rooms: Smart TVs, smart devices, voice controls, in-room tablets, personalized room settings, and seamless device connectivity.
7. Mobilizing Guest Communication: Leverage technology for real-time mobile guest communication, ensuring quick responses to guest needs and more personalized experiences.

In conclusion, the continuing bleisure travel movement is transforming the way people approach travel. Hotels that recognize and adapt to this trend by offering a combination of business and leisure amenities, personalized experiences, and a focus on sleep quality will be well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of travelers in this niche.

So, is your hotel ready for the continuing bleisure travel movement? It’s time to adapt and cater to the travelers of today, who are looking to blend business with pleasure, creating unforgettable memories along the way.

If you need help identifying ways to improve, reach out to us at [email protected] for a free technology consultation.

Reference:

Read more about the bleisure travel movement in the New York Post