In today’s competitive hospitality industry, guest experience plays a crucial role in the success of any accommodation business. Modest properties like boutique hotels, hostels, and BnBs, in particular, are constantly challenged to elevate their services and amenities to stand out. This is often achieved by providing personalized and unique experiences that leave a lasting impression on guests.
However, providing these exceptional guest experiences isn’t without its challenges. Limited resources, such as fewer staff and smaller budgets, can make it hard to match the amenities and services of larger properties and hotel chains. Maintaining consistency, especially during peak seasons, can also be difficult with a limited staff. Despite these obstacles, however, smaller properties can still deliver memorable guest experiences through dedication, creativity, and resourcefulness.
If you own a travel accommodations business, then read on to learn simple yet effective ways to elevate guest experience and differentiate yourself in a competitive market.
1. Streamline Payments for Hassle-Free Stays
Ensuring a smooth payment process from the get-go is essential to setting the right tone for your guests' experience. Offering options like contactless payments, online checkouts, or a convenient payment terminal at the front desk avoids delays and cuts down paperwork. A fast, efficient payment process also allows guests to settle in quickly and focus on enjoying their stay.
By equipping your boutique hotel with Maya Terminal, for instance, you can make transactions seamless both for you and your guests. Maya Terminal allows you to accept different forms of payments, including debit and credit cards, e-wallets, and QR Ph. In addition to making revenue tracking more convenient, this POS machine can also help attract guests who prefer the ease and security of cashless transactions. The device can print receipts as well, allowing you to provide guests with an accurate payment record effortlessly. By being able to accept multiple payment options via the Maya Terminal, you can then showcase your business as modern, flexible, and customer-focused—qualities that can set you apart from competitors.
2. Welcome Guests with Personalized Touches
A personal touch goes a long way in making your guests feel special and at home. Whether it’s a handwritten welcome note, a small local treat, or a quick tour of the property, these thoughtful gestures create the foundation for a memorable stay.
Additionally, advise your staff to remember guest preferences and greet them by name to establish more genuine connections. These small actions show guests that you truly care about their experience, making them feel valued and appreciated.
3. Create a Unique Atmosphere Inspired By the Environs around Your Property
The atmosphere of your space plays a key role in elevating the guest experience. Small details like comfortable bedding, unique decor, and thoughtful touches throughout the property create a warm and inviting environment. Moreover, incorporating decor inspired by your location—such as woven banig mats, capiz shell accents, or locally crafted furniture in a beach setting—can add authenticity and make the stay feel more immersive. In fact, this is where smaller establishments can truly shine. You can offer a homier, more personalized feel that larger hotels often lack. When guests feel comfortable and at ease, they’re more likely to relax, fully enjoy their stay, and look forward to returning in the future.
4. Prioritize Cleanliness and Comfort
Cleanliness and comfort are among the first things guests notice, so prioritizing them is essential to delivering a great guest experience. A spotless room with fresh linens and a comfortable bed goes a long way in creating a positive impression. Guests expect these fundamentals to be met, and when they are, they set the stage for a pleasant stay.
In line with this, consider making simple upgrades such as high-quality pillows, plush towels, or a well-maintained bathroom with rain shower systems to enhance guest comfort. Small touches such as giving the room a fresh scent, providing a well-thought-out toiletry kit, or adding soft lighting can also make a big difference.
5. Offer Insider Tips for a Local Experience
Guests love feeling like they’re not just visiting a place but truly experiencing it. So, instead of simply leaving them to explore on their own, provide insider recommendations on local attractions, great dining spots, or hidden gems to give them an authentic taste of the area. Consider sharing your favorite spots or local dishes as well for a personal touch.
This approach helps guests feel more engaged with their destination, turning their trip into a more intimate and memorable experience. When you offer suggestions based on your own experiences, it also positions you as a knowledgeable and trusted host, which fosters a stronger connection with your guests and enhances their overall stay.
Leverage the Power of Convenient Payment Processing with Maya Terminal
Guests want a seamless and stress-free experience during their stay so they can fully enjoy their trip without worrying about the small details. A crucial part of this is offering a simple and convenient payment process. Sign up for Maya Business to access various business solutions, such as the Maya Terminal, which will allow you to accept multiple payment methods and thus elevate your overall customer service.
By setting up a Maya Business account, you can then open a Maya Business Deposit account to be used as a settlement account. With an industry-leading 2.5% per annum interest rate, you'll earn PHP 25,000 in interest annually on a PHP 1 million deposit. On top of that, you’ll be able to send money for free to your partners and suppliers via InstaPay and PESONet, which can give significant savings.
Signing up also qualifies you for a no-collateral Maya Flexi Loan offer of up to PHP 2 million in just 3 months, giving you extra funding to enhance the amenities of your boutique hotel or BnB. Just make sure to use Maya as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments. The more you use our solutions, the better future loan offers will be.
Sign up for Maya Business today to unlock the benefits of Maya Business solutions and enhance the convenience and service of your travel accommodations business.
