Hotel Guests are Eating it up

According to Hotels.com survey results just published, food seems to be high on the minds of travelers these day.   According to the article  the number one and two amenities hotel guests value are a free breakfast and the restaurant.  As a constant traveler, I know that starting or ending a day with a good meal makes all the difference in the world.

Breakfast in Miami Beach ©2014 Dragonfly Image Partners

This serves as a great marketing opportunity for hoteliers that is often under utilized.

Breakfast Parfait ©2014 Dragonfly Image Partners

As hotel photographers we have always known that a property's photography serves two primary purposes; to represent the property to potential guests and the second is to build an emotional connection with the viewer and there is no better way than with food.   Whether it's a healthy breakfast to give a road warrior the power to succeed, a comfort meal after long hours traveling or a culinary adventure, food speaks to us in many positive ways. Coffee & Tea in the Lobby is another  amenity on the  top 10 list making F&B 30% of the top 10.   (Oddly enough, Air Conditioning is #9 on the list making me wonder when the last time was that I stayed in a hotel without it?)


“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

Breakfast Bar ©2014 Dragonfly Image Partners

Food powers us and is often one of the few enjoyable respites from the rigors of travel and in many cases the original purpose for  travel.  Everyone is a People sharing photographs of their meals is so popular on Instagram  and other social media sites that it has become a cliche.

If you offer an inclusive breakfast, you have a golden opportunity to show it to it's best advantage and leverage you investment in your guests  experience into more bookings.   Steal that market share from your competitor by showing how fabulous your breakfast can be.  Many full service F&B operations can also increase both the market share of the meals sold once the guests are on property, but also actively increase the market share of hotel bookings by actively marketing  the Food and Beverage offerings to elevate the perceived value of the overall hotel experience.
Our world literally begins and ends with meals, so if you want to connect with your audience in a way that other hotels often neglect have a good look at developing how you present and market your F & B offerings to leverage bookings,  not just diners.

Room Service Breakfast ©2014 Dragonfly Image Partners