The hotel industry is more competitive than ever. We've all seen it - simply having enough rooms and keeping them nice and clean isn't enough anymore.
If you want guests to be truly satisfied and book with you again, you need to make their stay memorable. Creating tailored activities is one of the best ways to do this. Not only do these programmes add something special to what you offer, but they also bring in additional revenue.
Here's what we've found works best.
How do hotel activities create real value?
Guests don't just book rooms anymore. They book experiences.
They're searching for those special moments that will stick with them long after checkout. When you give your guests ways to dive into local culture, meet other travellers, or just unwind differently than they would at home, you're meeting deeper needs.
Taking care to create thoughtful, guest-focused experiences pays off in reputation. Think about it - someone who joins your sunset wine tasting or that walking tour you arranged with a local guide will likely remember their stay at your hotel much more positively. These are the details they'll mention when telling friends about their trip.
These special experiences often turn one-time visitors into returning ones, significantly boosting guest engagement. Even modest investments in well-chosen hotel activities can generate substantial additional revenue while increasing recommendations, social media visibility, and creating natural opportunities for influencer marketing.
Hotel activities ideas that your guests will appreciate
Looking for ways to get guests excited about staying at your property? These activity ideas have helped hotels just like yours create experiences worth sharing and coming back for.
Resort activities for memorable stays
- Local gastronomy experiences
Hotel activities centred around local gastronomy create powerful connections to place and culture. Take it beyond regular restaurant service with cultural immersion dinners where local chefs prepare traditional dishes while sharing stories about your region's culinary heritage.
If you need some inspiration, it’s worth checking out the Auberge Resorts in Tuscany, where guests roll up their sleeves to make fresh pasta with local chefs who share family techniques passed down for generations. Over in Croatia, Petram Resort turns local olive harvest into an experience as visitors walk through the groves, taste oils pressed from different trees, and learn why each has its own flavour.
- Sports sessions that bring guests together
Yoga and pilates classes appeal to nearly every age group and fitness level. To make it even more memorable, try to choose unique timing and location: sunrise yoga under that magnificent tree, sunset pilates on the rooftop terrace, or poolside movements with soft morning light.
Consider your typical guest profile when planning additional classes. Water aerobics works wonderfully for older travellers or families, while HIIT sessions attract younger, fitness-focused guests. The investment is minimal compared to most hotel activities, yet it can significantly increase guest satisfaction rates.
- Silent disco and night entertainment
Silent discos have become a go-to solution for properties wanting to offer evening entertainment without noise restrictions or complaints. Provide your guests with wireless headphones so they can dance and enjoy music on your rooftop or pool area without disturbing sleeping guests or neighbours.
Many hotels have expanded this concept to include silent movie nights under the stars or even quiet poolside parties where guests can choose between different music channels. It is also a good choice at city properties where noise ordinances often limit traditional evening events.
Hotel activities for adults
- Wellness sessions beyond ordinary spa services
Wellness-related hotel activities have evolved far beyond traditional spa offerings, and guests always appreciate new, revolutionary services.
Consider expanding into trending wellness areas like breathwork sessions, specialised health treatments, and mindfulness workshops. Longevity-focused activities are especially popular right now - think cold therapy sessions, longevity nutrition consultations, or age-reversal skincare treatments.
- Wine and spirit tastings
Wine, whisky or spirit tastings featuring whatever your region is known for create natural conversation starters among guests. Focusing on premium or locally produced options that visitors can't easily find elsewhere will make this experience really unique.
You can take it even further by getting guests actively involved rather than just tasting. The Langham Hotel in London shows how this works brilliantly - they teach guests to craft cocktails alongside their award-winning Artesian bar team. This hands-on approach transforms passive tasting into an engaging skill-building experience that guests talk about long after checkout.
- Paint and sip evenings
Host creative hotel activities where guests enjoy cocktails, wine, or mocktails while making art or crafts. Think painting sessions, small pottery projects, or even bracelet making. Anything that lets people chat, enjoy their drinks, while creating something with their hands.
The appeal is simple: guests leave with something unique they made themselves rather than another generic souvenir. These hotel activities work particularly well for couples or groups looking for a relaxed social activity that doesn't require special artistic skill.
Family-friendly hotel activities
- Concerts and cultural activities
Invite local musicians, artists or storytellers to perform in your common areas during family-friendly hours. These events create an authentic atmosphere that feels less like typical hotel entertainment and more like genuine cultural experiences.
- Bikes, hikes and local adventures
Help families explore the local area with bike and walking tours that take them to interesting spots they probably wouldn’t find on their own. Provide them with child seats for toddlers and smaller bikes for older children. Simple online or offline maps pointing out local attractions and viewpoints are also very useful.
If you run a city hotel, you can work with electric scooter operators or walking tour guides instead. Plan different route options - easy walks for families with buggies, moderate cycling, and longer hikes for active guests.
You don’t need to invest in all the equipment yourself. Instead, you can partner with reliable local adventure companies who already have the bikes, guides, knowledge and insurance sorted.
Timely promotion of hotel activities across all guest touchpoints
Your hotel activities only create value when guests actually participate in them. The key is strategically promoting these experiences at different stages of the guest journey for maximum impact.
Pre-booking: Show potential guests what makes your property special. Your most unique activities should appear prominently on your website with real guest photos and reviews. This helps potential guests imagine themselves having these experiences and motivates them to make a reservation.
Booking confirmation: The moment after reservation presents a perfect opportunity to introduce available hotel activities. Create different templates for various guest profiles (couples, families, business travellers) and send them a tailored selection of experiences that match their likely interests.
Pre-arrival communication: Send a personalised email 3-7 days before check-in, highlighting relevant hotel activities and encouraging your guests to book them in advance, perhaps with a small discount for early confirmation. This communication becomes even more important for guests who made a last-minute booking, as they've had less time to research what your property offers.
During check-in: Train front desk staff to naturally mention appropriate activities based on guest demographics and weather conditions. "The sunset yoga starts in an hour if you'd like to join" is more effective than handing over a complete activities list.
In-room: Strategic placement of activity information in rooms catches guests during downtime. Digital alternatives on in-room tablets allow for easy booking.
Throughout the stay: GuestAdvisor provides an ideal solution for promoting your hotel activities during this critical phase. The app allows guests to browse, book, and receive notifications about available experiences on their own smartphones. It also centralises payments and gathers instant feedback. Furthermore, GuestAdvisor provides valuable data on which activities generate the most interest, helping you refine your offerings over time.
Post-stay: Follow-up emails that reference enjoyed activities strengthen emotional connections and encourage sharing on social platforms, extending your marketing reach organically.
Hotel activities: getting your guests involved
Creating unique hotel activities is just the first step. How and when you promote them makes all the difference in participation rates, guest satisfaction, and extra revenue. By strategically introducing your experiences throughout the guest journey, you transform ordinary stays into something worth sharing and returning for.
The right combination of timely communication, personalised suggestions, and user-friendly booking options ensures your investment in activities delivers its full potential.
Request a free SabeeApp demo today to see how our comprehensive solution, including GuestAdvisor, can help you boost your hotel’s performance.