As a hotel owner, you’re eager to provide the best possible experience for each guest that visits your establishment.
It’s incredibly challenging to maintain excellence in every aspect of hospitality, day in and day out. However, by organizing your goals into groups, you can identify areas of need and stay on top of scheduled maintenance and upgrades.
At Rulon International, we’ve helped many ambitious hotel owners to use the natural beauty of wood to enhance their spaces. In this guide, we’ll cover seven important focus areas for improving the guest experience in a hotel—several of which benefit directly from wood paneling upgrades for walls and ceilings.
1: Focus on Indoor Air Quality
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentration of many air pollutants is typically 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors.
Guests who are sensitive to poor air quality may complain of foul odors, allergic reactions, unpleasant dampness, and respiratory problems.
To maintain good air quality, you should:
- Perform regular maintenance and filter changes on your HVAC system
- Use portable air purifier machines
- Use natural, non-toxic materials such as wood for room furnishings
- Avoid the use of particle board and other furnishing materials that contain added formaldehyde and other air pollutants
- Monitor humidity levels and dehumidify if necessary to avoid the growth of mold and mildew
Clean air requires investment, but it’s better to focus on maintenance than to address the problems caused by poor air quality. This can also enhance a guest’s perception of their stay at your establishment and may motivate them to leave positive feedback online to help strengthen your reputation.
2: Control Acoustic Quality Throughout the Building
Intrusive noise is a common complaint for hotel guests.
Guests are entitled to reasonably quiet rooms, but noise standards are subjective and difficult to enforce. Therefore, investing in effective acoustic control is the best way for hotels to prevent noise issues.
Wood panel systems like those offered by Rulon International are terrific for controlling noise levels. Wood panels absorb and dissipate sound waves, preventing excess noise from traveling through walls and ceilings.
3: Offer High-Quality Amenities
For many guests, the most exciting part of staying in a hotel is the amenities.
Some amenities drive up costs considerably. However, it’s possible to offer amenities that infuse hints of luxury into the guest experience without breaking the bank.
Along with standard amenities like coffee kits and personal care items, try out some more creative amenities, such as:
- In-room cocktail stations
- VIP passes for local merchants
- Fresh bread or fresh fruit
- Games (Jenga, board games, cards) and kids’ toys
- Relaxation devices such as electronic massagers
Guests expect the basics, but love amenities that are unexpected and novel.
4: Maintain Comfortable Beds and Pillows
Low-quality mattresses and bedding are review killers for hotels. Guests aren’t shy about voicing their displeasure after experiencing a caved-in mattress or a lumpy pillow.
The most important hotel bedding purchases are mattresses. These are the common mattress types:
- Innerspring
- Foam
- Latex
- Hybrid (combination of a coil core and foam comfort layers)
Traditionally, innerspring mattresses are the go-to for hotels, offering a good mix of durability and firmness. Hybrid mattresses offer similar benefits and a bit more luxury, although they’re usually higher-priced than innerspring mattresses.
Along with replacing mattresses as needed, monitor the condition of pillows and linens. Perform regular inspections so that worn-out pillows and damaged linens can be promptly replaced.
5: Prioritize Superior Cleanliness and Sanitation
Clean and sanitary rooms are essential for any hotel, but how do some hotels go the extra mile to impress guests and avoid slip-ups?
The truth is, there are no secret tricks for maintaining a super clean hotel. It’s all about keeping a well-trained staff with lots of oversight.
Rooms should be cleaned according to a detailed checklist and supervisors should carefully review the housekeeping staff’s work on a regular basis. Any complaints or concerns from guests regarding cleanliness should be taken seriously and addressed immediately.
6: Provide Excellent Customer Service
Great customer service in hotels requires incredible patience and flexibility.
Customer service staff training should focus on:
- Attention to detail
- Tone and word choice during customer interactions
- Kindness and understanding
Your staff should be well-prepared to handle common issues that arise and should also be prepared to gracefully handle unexpected challenges.
7: Keep Design and Architecture Up to Date
Architecture and design help to establish a hotel’s sense of place and style. Aesthetically pleasing design features make strong first impressions on guests, establishing a positive initial reaction that can segue into an enjoyable visit.
You can’t rebuild or redesign your hotel on a regular basis, but occasional strategic upgrades are helpful.
A hotel’s architecture and design should be functional, engaging, and memorable. Here are a few ideas for your next remodeling project:
- Distinctive design features in the entry area, such as an arched entrance
- Unique lobby layout features, such as unusual furniture pieces or creative furniture arrangements
- Design elements and artwork that reflect the local region, such as paintings of the area’s scenery or water features that mimic nearby natural water systems (waterfalls, beaches, etc.)
Focus on comfort, ambiance, and aesthetic quality, but don’t be afraid to be bold. Guests appreciate architecture and design elements that are slightly out of the ordinary.
Use Sustainable Wood Panels to Offer a Better Guest Experience
A customized wood panel solution from Rulon International can dramatically upgrade a space’s aesthetics, acoustics, air quality, and ambiance.
We use the highest-quality, sustainably sourced timber, with a high priority on both air quality and acoustic control. Our sustainability certifications include Indoor Advantage GOLD certification and Health Product Declaration (HPD) certification. We’ve also prepared submittal packets to help your hotel with LEED certification.
View our project gallery or contact our team today to learn more.
