What are the main trends in the hospitality industry for 2025?
There are many new trends emerging in the hospitality industry right now. Let’s take a look at each one and see how you can set your hotel apart from the competition.
1. Personalization continues to reign
Personalization is being taken to new heights with hyper-personalization in 2025. This goes for marketing emails, messages and promotions, as well as in-room experiences. Whether it’s a pillow or a blanket menu, a welcome gift or message, or asking for your guests’ temperature preferences beforehand, the more you can tailor the guest experience, the more you will stand out.
To create a more personal experience, focus on every touchpoint - from booking to check-out - with the central question in mind: “How can I make this experience more meaningful?” This involves reimagining each part of the guest journey and exploring the role technology can play in enhancing their stay and connection to your brand.
Learn more about personalization
2. Sustainability
As climate change continues to be the most pressing global issue, more and more guests will look to stay at hotels that prioritize sustainable offerings. This could mean choosing hotels that have eco-certifications and other measures like providing eco-friendly amenities, using sustainable cleaning products, being energy-efficient, and conserving water. For 2025, think about what your hotel can do to prioritize earning an environmentally friendly reputation.
Discover more sustainability practices.
3. Think local
Embracing local consumption is closely tied to sustainability and is also emerging as a significant trend in the hotel industry. Partnering with local designers and artisans, as well as featuring locally sourced food in your hotel’s breakfast buffet and restaurant, can greatly enhance your brand while positively impacting the environment. Additionally, finding ways to involve the local community will create a richer, more authentic experience for your guests, making them feel like an integral part of your hotel's story.
4. Remote work and long stays
Another major trend inspired by the pandemic is the rise of remote work and long stays. Digital nomads have become a valuable segment for the hospitality industry, and hotels that meet the needs of these travelers have an opportunity to stand out. By creating experiences and spaces tailored to remote workers, you can attract this growing audience and gain a competitive edge. Discover ways to make your hotel an ideal destination for remote workers.
Preparing your hotel for remote workers can start with essentials like strong Wi-Fi, dedicated meeting spaces, a co-working area in the lobby, and a desk within each room. Consider adding kitchenettes to some rooms to enhance the home-like experience. The more comfortable and equipped the in-room features are, the longer digital nomads are likely to stay. This can lead to more consistent revenue as remote workers often book during weekdays and low seasons, keeping occupancy steady year-round.
5. Technology-forward hotels
As technology advances, so does the modern guest's expectation for a seamless, tech-driven hotel experience. From virtual concierges offering 24/7 support to mobile check-ins and dedicated hotel apps, these innovations are redefining convenience and personalization. Smart room features like voice-activated controls for lights and music, interactive walls and mirrors, and keyless room entry are also becoming essentials for today’s guests. Looking ahead to 2025, these tech enhancements will continue to gain importance, shaping guests' choices and preferences.
Learn more about how to integrate smart technology into your hotel rooms.
6. Wellness first
Wellness will continue to be a priority for guests in the coming years, meaning that your hotel could benefit from shifting towards offering more holistic packages. This could be offering in-room massage, sunrise yoga, wellness shots at your hotel’s bar, as well as vegan and vegetarian menu options. Hop on the bandwagon by leveraging low-season wellness retreats to boost revenue during the off season.
7. Health and safety
Cleanliness and feeling safe remain top priorities for guests. Now, more than ever, guests appreciate a focus on health and safety as part of a seamless, comfortable experience. Hoteliers can meet these expectations by ensuring properties are consistently spotless and well-maintained. Consider enhancing cleaning schedules, equipping staff with high-quality disinfectants, and promoting a clean, welcoming environment. Here are five steps to optimize your cleaning service.
Your pre-stay and on-site marketing should reassure guests of your commitment to their well-being, highlighting measures like using high-grade cleaning products, providing hand sanitizers in key areas, and maintaining clean, fresh environments. These thoughtful touches elevate the guest experience, showing them you prioritize their comfort and peace of mind.
8. The changing concept of a hotel
You’ve probably heard of glamping (yep, that’s glamorous camping), bleisure (business meets leisure) and blended trips (adding on a few days to a business trip to enjoy the destination). These terms will continue to grow and change as the concept of a hotel and travel continues to morph. Adapting to this new mindset will be an important part of the future of hotels in order to attract different audiences.
As the concept of a hotel evolves, there’s a growing opportunity to blend experiences that attract a wider range of guests. This could mean creating luxury accommodations in rural or remote settings, merging coworking spaces with hotel rooms tailored for extended stays, or introducing stylish, hyper-local, design-forward experiences within a budget-friendly hotel. Each approach embraces the changing expectations of travelers, redefining what a hotel can be while catering to the diverse needs of today’s guests.
9. Smart rooms
Smarter is better. With the advent of the internet of things, a plethora of opportunities have opened up to personalize the guest experience. Smart rooms essentially mean everything goes digital. Guests want ease, and with voice control they can control the lights and temperature of the room from the comfort of their bed.
10. Smart TV
Cable television or pay-per-view is a blast from the past. Nowadays, guests will want to use smart TVs to unlock the comforts of their own home. You can either have a mirroring option where guests mirror from their own smart devices, or with a USB port, guests can bring an Amazon Fire Stick to plug in their own shows. Another smart option is leveraging technology to give the ability for guests to login to streaming accounts, with automatic log out upon check-out.
11. Tablets
Tablets have become a staple in modern hotels, enhancing both the check-in and in-room experiences. At check-in, guests can quickly verify their details and choose a preferred payment method with just a few taps - no need to hand over their credit card to staff. In-room, tablets offer convenient access for booking amenities, spa services, and other extras, simplifying the booking process and encouraging guests to explore additional options, which helps boost ancillary revenue.
12. Keyless entry
Keyless entry provides guests with a digital room key, eliminating the need to cut physical keys and reducing the risk of lost or misplaced keys. Integrated through your PMS, this feature is becoming a standard as traditional keys fade into the past. Keyless entry not only streamlines the check-in experience but also enhances security and convenience, letting guests access their room directly from their mobile device.
13. Going plastic-free
Many hotels are making strides towards becoming plastic-free. Single-use straws, water bottles, mini toiletries and takeaway containers are being replaced with eco-friendly options like compostable containers, glass straws and refillable dispensers. These changes meet guests' expectations for greener hospitality.
14. Motion sensors
Motion sensors are an eco-friendly option, automatically cutting power when no movement is detected for a set period.
15. Vegan and vegetarian options at hotel restaurant
Vegan and vegetarian options are becoming a mainstay in hotel bars, restaurants and cafes. From plant-based burgers to creative vegan dishes, this health-conscious trend is here to stay. With rising dietary needs, like lactose intolerance, many hotels now go beyond dairy milk, offering choices like oat, almond and non-dairy creamers at breakfast and throughout their dining options.
16. Catering your offer towards digital natives
Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s, has grown up with the internet. Catering to this digital-native group means offering a tech-focused hotel experience. Engaging them on platforms like TikTok and integrating seamless tech into their stay - from mobile check-ins to smart room controls - will be essential for attracting and retaining this audience.
17. Solar power
Solar power is an increasingly popular sustainability measure in hotels. It not only appeals to eco-conscious guests but also significantly reduces energy bills, one of the largest fixed costs for hotels. Highlighting these green initiatives shows your commitment to a sustainable future and resonates with today’s environmentally aware travelers.
18. The use of robots
Robots, once futuristic, are now becoming a hotel staple. They enable contact-free room service by delivering amenities or food and can even roam hallways, cleaning as they go.
19. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is taking the world by storm, and now hotels can leverage AI to better predict prices. AI has the ability to analyze large data sets including historical data, forecasting and market data that can help better set prices. AI can also be used for chatbots, plus improving website conversions through A/B testing.
20. Wi-Fi everywhere
Wi-Fi is now a basic expectation everywhere - by the pool, on the terrace, or outside the hotel. It also needs to be ultra-fast, with fiberoptic technology providing speeds up to 1000 Mbps to meet guests’ demands.
21. Contactless payments
Guests now rely on their smartphones for everything, making digital payments a must. Using Apple Pay or Google Pay for quick and secure transactions has become the norm, while digital wallets for cryptocurrency and PayPal are also gaining popularity.
22. Multi-use spaces
The lobby, which has historically just been used for check-in and check-out, is fast becoming a high-traffic place thanks to things like specialty coffee shops, co-working space and multi-use spaces. With mobile technology, the traditional lobby is no longer necessary. When not used, it mostly becomes a dead space. This is why finding ways to dynamize your lobby and other hotel areas is key.
23. Hangout spot for locals
Hotels are increasingly transforming into local hangout spots, not just tourist destinations. Locals may stop by for coffee, work from the hotel café, or enjoy live music on the rooftop. Hosting events to engage the community is also an excellent way to drive revenue throughout the year.
24. One-of-a-kind experiences
“Experience” was once a buzzword, but it’s proven to be a lasting trend in the hospitality world. Today, it’s about offering authentic and unique moments that set your hotel apart. Whether through thoughtful amenities, curated events, exclusive tours, or personalized services, unforgettable experiences will make your property stand out from the rest.
25. Glamping
Glamping (glamorous camping) might have started as a niche trend, but it’s become a lasting way to enjoy the outdoors with a little luxury. With features like private bathrooms, cozy beds, electricity, and climate control, glamping is an ideal choice for properties in scenic locations. If your hotel has the space and setting, embracing glamping could be a fantastic way to attract adventurous, comfort-seeking travelers.
26. Influencers as the new advertising
Influencers are here to stay, and they’re like mobile billboards bringing your brand to life on social media. Beyond general marketing, finding niche influencers who align with your ideal guest profile can amplify your message and expand your reach. Influencer partnerships can be more impactful than traditional ads, making your hotel top-of-mind for new guests and enhancing your brand image in an authentic way.
27. Last-minute travel
With booking apps at their fingertips, today’s travelers often make spontaneous plans. To capture this audience, ensure you’re ready to handle last-minute bookings, especially during peak seasons. Having a flexible, responsive booking system and a staff that’s prepared to manage quick check-ins can help you welcome last-minute guests with ease.
28. The rise of the star chef
Celebrity chefs and culinary tourism have taken center stage, transforming dining into an attraction of its own. By bringing renowned chefs to your restaurant, creating tasting menus, or even offering local food tours, you can give your guests an elevated experience they’ll remember - and talk about long after their stay.
29. Elevating the bar experience
As culinary experiences soar, so does the art of mixology. Today’s guests crave cocktails that are as unique as they are flavorful. Bring in mixologists who create custom syrups, infusions, and signature drinks to make your bar a memorable highlight of any stay. Welcome cocktails or signature mocktails can be a perfect touch to impress your guests right from the start.
30. Metasearch engines and booking engines
Travelers now rely on fast, intuitive booking tools like metasearch and direct booking engines. In a world where convenience is key, having a user-friendly, fast-loading website with a seamless booking experience will capture today’s online traffic and drive direct bookings.
Conclusion
The hospitality landscape in 2025 is filled with trends aimed at making guest experiences more personalized, sustainable, and tech-driven. From enhancing wellness and sustainability practices to embracing smart technology and catering to digital nomads, hotels are evolving to meet the needs of today’s travelers. As these trends continue to shape the industry, staying ahead with thoughtful innovations will set your property apart and create memorable stays for every guest.
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