As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, it’s important to understand the needs and wants of the Millennial and Gen Z generations. Millennials and Gen Z are the largest generations in the world, and they’re the ones who will be doing the majority of the traveling in the coming years. So, what do Millennials and Gen Z want in a hotel?
1. High-Tech Amenities
Millennials and Gen Z are looking for hotels that offer high-tech amenities such as free Wi-Fi, digital check-in, mobile apps, and mobile key access, and in-room tablets like Volo. Millennials and Gen Z are tech-savvy and they expect hotels to keep up with the times. They want to be able to book their rooms online, use in-room tech, and have access to tons of media. They also want to be able to use their own devices to access the hotel’s Wi-Fi and other services.
2. Affordable Prices
Millennials and Gen Z are seeking hotels that provide reasonable prices and offer good value for their money. Due to the tough economy, as well as the prevalence of side hustles and the gig economy, many individuals from these generations are working multiple jobs. As a result, they want to make smart spending decisions and ensure that their hard-earned money is being used wisely.
3. Unique Experiences
Millennials and Gen Z are looking for more than just a place to sleep. They want to experience something unique and memorable when they stay at a hotel. This could mean having access to interesting amenities like a rooftop pool or a craft cocktail bar, or having access to activities like yoga classes or guided tours. Also, Millennials and Gen Z are looking for hotels that offer unique experiences such as art installations, activities, and in-room entertainment. Millennials and Gen Z are the Instagram and TikTok generations, and they want to post about the interesting places they travel to.
Lookout Point Lakeside Inn in Hot Springs, Arkansas strives to attract millennials, as stated by Nancy Sullivan, the inn’s owner. Lookout Point offers curated itineraries tailored to attract millennials. Guests can take advantage of complimentary kayaks, canoes, and luxurious pool floats to enjoy the water. They also offer a variety of local craft beers for guests to taste and choose from. Their food options cater to all dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, keto, flexitarian, paleo, and more, and their chefs are happy to accommodate any requests. Lookout Point also offers lawn games such as cornhole, croquet, and badminton, and hosts yoga sessions in the garden three times a week.
4. Sustainable Practices
Many Millennials and Gen Z are looking for hotels that practice sustainability and are conscious of their environmental impact. They’re concerned about the environment and they want to stay in hotels that are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint. They want to be able to see that the hotel is making an effort to be more sustainable, whether it’s through using energy-efficient appliances, offering eco-friendly amenities, or paperless practices by using more sustainable in-room tablets technology hosted on Apple iPads.
5. Social Media Presence
Millennials and Gen Z are looking for hotels that have an active social media presence and engage with their customers. Millennials and Gen Z also look to social media before other websites to gauge their interest in a particular spot – be it a hotel, restaurant, or other attraction. So, share your customers’ posts about you, post pictures of your delicious menu and unique interiors, and boast about your great reputation.
6. Flexibility
Millennials and Gen Z value flexibility when it comes to booking and staying at a hotel. They want to be able to book a hotel room on their own terms and have the freedom to change their plans if necessary. They’re also looking for hotels that offer flexible check-in and check-out times and allow them to cancel or modify their reservations without penalty.
7. Authenticity
Millennials and Gen Z value authenticity and they want to feel like they’re staying somewhere that’s true to its local culture. They want to be able to experience the local area and its people, and they want to feel like they’re staying in a place that’s genuine and not just another generic hotel.
As the hospitality industry adapts to the changing needs and wants of travelers, it’s crucial to understand what Millennials and Gen Z desire in a hotel experience. These generations prioritize high-tech amenities, affordability, unique experiences, sustainability, social media presence, flexibility, and authenticity. By offering these features, hotels can attract and retain younger travelers who make up the largest generations in the world and who will be doing the majority of the traveling in the coming years. The key is to continually evolve and innovate to meet the needs of these tech-savvy, socially conscious, and adventurous generations.