Hotels, reimagined…
Post-pandemic travellers prioritise a good night’s sleep, healthy lifestyle amenities and “smart” rooms with lots of technology — and they’re combining business with pleasure in a trend known as “bleisure,” according to a new Hilton report.
That means “connected rooms” with Peloton bikes, “pillow menus” and in-room tech that you can control with an app.
It also means nightstands with wireless charging pads, digital room keys instead of plastic cards, and copious bedside outlets for all your tech.
What they’re saying: “Right now is probably one of the most interesting times in the history of hospitality” because of guests’ newly emerging priorities, which include wellness, sustainability and local experiences, states Hilton’s chief brand officer Matt Schuyler.
Driving the news: Hilton’s third annual report on travel trends identified four major themes predicted to guide people’s travel spending in 2024:
Sleep: Our desire to rest and recharge has Hilton adding white noise machines, blackout shades, enveloping headboards, and high-thread-count linens to its rooms.
Technology: Our thirst for “connectivity and personalisation” will translate to more robust online booking options — and more electric car chargers on hotel properties.
Experiences: Guest cravings for local food and flavours has Hilton amping up its menus and offering local cultural experiences.
“Bleisure”: People are tacking vacation days onto work trips, to visit friends locally or enjoy some tourism.
Methodology: Hilton and Ipsos surveyed 10,000 travellers from nine countries, assembled 60 video “diaries” from U.S. travellers, and interviewed dozens of “Hilton travel experts” to compile the report.
Zoom in: Schuyler describes the new Tempo by Hilton Times Square, which opened in August.
It’s the first of hundreds of Tempo-branded hotels that Hilton is planning, all meant to cater to guests’ interests in a healthy lifestyle and local flavour.
You can reserve “wellness” rooms with a Peloton and a Theragun.
Rooms feature designer wall hooks, oversized showers, and Bluetooth speakers in the bathroom so you can listen to your music and podcasts while you primp.
Gone from the rooms are carpets (too hard to clean), single-use toiletries (too wasteful) and closets (because “80% of our guests actually live out of the suitcase,” say’s Schuyler).
Added to the rooms are kinetic art screens (which greet guests by name), designer toiletries (in “white vetiver” from boutique brand Apotheke) and large trash/recycling baskets — which have proved a bit too popular.
The big picture: Persistent interest in “revenge travel” has all the major hotel brands pushing the refresh button and adding capacity, technology, and amenities.👇
