The holiday season is upon us! It’s time to light the Christmas tree and bring out the tinsel, because your guests will be arriving soon,  and you want your hotel to be extra special.

The festive period is a time for giving, spending quality time with loved ones and creating unforgettable memories. When it comes to hotels, this sentiment should also be applied. Guests want to feel the holiday cheer when they stay at your hotel during this magical time of year.

So how can you make sure your hotel is ready for the Christmas season? Here are some ideas to get you started.

How To Decorate A Hotel For Christmas

When it comes to hotel Christmas decorations, the first place to start is of course your hotel lobby and common areas. But you’ll also want to add a touch of Christmas to your guests rooms.

Hotel Lobby Christmas Decorations

When a guest arrives at your hotel, the first thing they see is your lobby. Just as you would usually keep your lobby pristinely neat, tidy and nicely decorated – you’ll want to uphold these standards when adding hotel Christmas decorations.

• Make your decorations seasonal
  
  If your hotel is located in a country where it is winter, try a winter wonderland theme. Think white Christmas trees, dazzling lights and a cozy fireplace with stockings. If you’re located in a summer destination, keep the decorations fresh – fill your lobby with the smell of pine.
• Keep it elegant & don’t go overboard
  
  Add touches of Christmas around your hotel common areas – hang some fairy lights, tinsel, or garlands. But remember not to go overboard, you want to achieve a balance of professionalism with celebratory. Too many decorations can appear tacky or untidy.
• Decorate with consistency
  
  When it comes to Christmas hotel decorating, or any decorating for that matter, the best way to impress your guests is by having a theme. If you choose a winter wonderland, stick with the whites and golds, or if you choose the classic green and reds, stick with it. Whichever you choose, ensure you keep it consistent.

PRENO TIP

Remember: your hotel is a home-away-from-home for your guests. Make your guests feel comfortable celebrating Christmas in a hotel, just as if they were at home.

Hotel Room Christmas Decorations

While the common areas are very important in a guests perception of your hotel, the presentation of their hotel room trumps. A hotel room is a guest’s personal space, so it should be presented with care and precision.

• Add personal touches
  
  To make your guest feel at home in your hotel this Christmas, consider adding some personal touches to their room. Add a card thanking them for their stay with you and wish them a Merry Christmas. It could be as simple as a note on their bedside table.

• Make your guests feel at home
  
  For many travellers, waking up in a hotel room on Christmas morning might be a new experience, so having some hotel Christmas decorations to wake up to might make them feel more at home. Add a small tree, some tinsel or other decorations – just a few touches around the room will do.
• Surprise your guest with a gift
  
  One way to make your guest feel extra special this Christmas season while staying with you is to add a little gift to their room or stay. This doesn’t have to require a lot of spending, even something simple such as chocolates or a bottle of wine in their room. Or if you want something a bit more, add a complimentary breakfast to the guests booking.

PRENO TIP

Your hotel room is a guest’s personal space during their stay with you. Never underestimate the importance of detail when decorating the rooms in your hotel, because this is where guests should feel most comfortable and at home. The guest experience is in the detail.

Other Ways to Make Your Hotel Festive for Christmas

In addition to hotel Christmas decorations, there are many other things you can do to add to the guest experience and make their stay with you more festive. Consider amending your restaurant menu to include some classic Christmas dishes, or host some activities to add some festive fun.

Hotel Menu Tips for Christmas

One of the most exciting parts of Christmas is the food! When it’s Christmas there’s no such thing as a diet, and when you’re on a holiday, there isn’t either. So when your guest is staying with you at Christmas, they’ll definitely love to eat some festive treats.

• Choose local favourites
  
  One of the perks of hosting domestic travellers is that you know what they like or how they like to celebrate Christmas (for the most part). If your property is based in New Zealand for example, adding a Kiwi classic like Pavlova dessert to the menu is a great idea.
• Offer Christmas classics
  
  When it comes to Christmas, you can’t go wrong with a classic festive menu. Think ham, turkey, cookies, Christmas cake, and so on. You don’t have to offer everything on your menu, but even just a few Christmas dish options will make your guests stay special.

Hotel Activity Tips for Christmas

Another way to make your guests stay with you extra special this holiday season is to organise and host some festive activities. This doesn’t have to cost a lot and is a great way for guests to meet and mingle, as well as provide an enhanced guest experience.

• Offer complimentary activities
  
  To enhance your guests’ stay with you when they’re celebrating Christmas in a hotel, offering some festive activities is a great way to go the extra mile. This might be as simple as a movie night, or Christmas crafts and cookie decorating classes (great for families).
• Host a communal Christmas banquet
  
  If you own a smaller hotel property and your target market are social people, hosting a communal banquet is a great way to make your guests’ Christmas visit special. This could be an elegant sit down dinner, or a casual buffet lunch – whichever you think your guests will enjoy most.

PRENO TIP

Christmas hotel decorating, food and activities don’t have to go beyond your hotel budget. Try something simple, add a touch of Christmas here and there and your guests will be sure to notice. When it comes to the guest experience, details don’t go unnoticed.

Enhance Your Guests’ Christmas Experience at Your Hotel

Make this holiday season truly memorable for your guests by adding delightful touches of Christmas throughout your hotel. From charming decorations to a variety of festive activities, every detail counts. Celebrating Christmas in a hotel offers a unique experience for travellers, and by going the extra mile, you can provide them with a truly special and indulgent stay. Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that brings the comforts of home to your guests, ensuring they have a lovely Christmas hotel experience they will cherish.