A simple yet highly elevated way to prepare your property for offering an increase in wellbeing is to think of the 5 senses. There are more senses than just the 5 Aristotle proposed thousands of years ago but for the sake of staying simple, we’ll start with a handful.
Taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight.
Briefly close your eyes and imagine the spaces that guests encounter upon arrival to check out and everything in between.
Where are they, what are they doing?
Now travel from space to space in your hotel asking yourself how you can make simple adjustments or additions when it comes to each of the senses.
You know your property and your resources best.
Start with these 5 senses to get your mind practiced at approaching guest wellness from a sensory standpoint and to make simple, immediate improvements.
Taste
What do you taste? Plain water or water with fresh mint, berries and cucumbers upon arrival? Are there options in your pantry or restaurant that support mood, brain function and physically feeling good in the body? What is the quality of the in room coffee? What is the quality of water? Is the complimentary fruit in season and fresh? Do you offer unique wines?
Touch
What do you touch? Door handles, arm chairs, keypads, robes, towels, elevator buttons, coffee makers, bed sheets? Are these items clean, of good quality and pleasant to the touch? What can be replaced so that there is a physical comfort rather than an unpleasant use of them?
Smell
What do you smell? Is it the remnants of eggs from breakfast, chemicals for cleaning, exhaust coming in through the front doors, overuse of perfume? Smell is one of the most impressionable senses that influences how guests feel while on your property as well as what they recall about their stay far after they check out. Fresh flowers, and natural scents lift moods and are safe for guests
Sound
What do you hear? From the moment a guest arrives at the front of the hotel, what are they hearing outside? In the lobby? While checking in? In the elevator? Hallway? Room?
Is music at a pleasant volume? Are employees' voices at a reasonable and soothing level? Do you hear utilities running? What sounds could be considered jarring or uncomfortable to someone’s nervous system? What sounds can you incorporate that are soothing to a nervous system? Introducing a fountain of trickling water or using a different playlist are a couple of immediate solutions for guests to experience more wellbeing upon arrival.
Sight
What do you see? Lighting, wall decor, merchandising, entering the lobby, the floors, furniture positioning, and all the colors. Is it pleasant to look at or is the arrangement of certain items distracting? Are things in their place? Are items new or old, cracked and dated? Is the lighting just right or does it need to be replaced or cleaned?
We’ve connected hotel well-being to guest satisfaction and higher review ratings.
This isn’t about noticing so many things to improve upon that you become overwhelmed.
Instead, we’ve found that when our clients choose just one way to elevate their guest’s well-being and put their attention on being excellent at it, it’s enough to make an impact for everyone under the hotel roof, employees included.
Want more insight on creating well-being experiences for your hotel? Contact us today.
