How to Attract More Guests to Your Hotel in 2025

On paper, things should be working…

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You’ve got a beautiful, five-star quality hotel in a sweet location. Your amenities are top of the line. Your service? Top notch. Your customers? Always satisfied.

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So, why aren’t more guests booking? Why are there rows and rows of empty rooms night after night?

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Well, the truth is that having a great hotel simply isn’t enough.

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If your marketing efforts aren’t hitting the mark, if they aren’t reaching the right audience and convincing travelers to choose you over the competition, then you’re leaving rooms empty.

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With online booking platforms, social media, and review sites shaping how people are choosing where to lay their heads during a trip, your hotel’s marketing strategy has to be just as inviting and welcoming as your guest experiences! But the good news is that there are small, strategic changes you can make to your strategies that can increase your visibility, boost your direct bookings, and start building long-term guest loyalty.

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Today’s blog is breaking down some of our favorite proven hotel marketing strategies to help you attract more guests in 2025, stand out from the competition, and keep your rooms filled year-round!

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Let’s get started!

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Why Hotel Marketing Requires More Than Just a Great Location

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What makes your marketing strategies so important to your hotel?

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Well, for starters, a prime location, beautiful facilities, and excellent customer services are extremely important, but they’re not enough to keep your rooms booked.

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With so many travelers Googling lodging online and turning to social media and online review sites like Google Reviews, Yelp, and more to make their decisions, your marketing strategy needs to be smart!

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Here are some ways that your marketing makes a huge impact in how full your rooms are:

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• Online visibility drives bookings — If your hotel doesn’t show up in search results, travelers will book elsewhere.
• Competition is fierce —With countless options available, it takes a strong marketing strategy to help your hotel stand out.
• Guest expectations are evolving —Modern travelers want more than just a place to sleep; they’re looking for unique experiences and personalized stays.
• Reviews and social proof influence decisions — A well-managed online presence builds trust and credibility.
• Direct bookings increase revenue —Effective marketing reduces reliance on OTAs, saving you from commission fees.

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Hotel Marketing Strategies to Attract More Guests and Drive More Bookings

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You don't need a complete overhaul to start seeing better results— just the right mix of strategy and consistency!

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Check out these 8 marketing moves and see which you can start implmeneting today!

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1. Build a Strong Online Presence

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Your hotel’s website should be the digital version of your front doors.

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And stepping through it (whether physically or digitally) should give your guests the kind of first impression that makes them glad they chose your brand. 

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This is why, in today’s internet-first world, it’s absolutely crucial that your website strategy is working for you.  Here are some tips to make sure your online presence is pulling guests in and not pushing them away!

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• The need for speed — Speed matters when it comes to your website. A slow-loading site will frustrate your guests and could cost you bookings. Optimize your images, use efficient coding, and choose a reliable hosting service to make sure that your site loads quickly on all devices. 
• Provide an intuitive experience — Your guests should easily be able to complete any task they visit your website to do, whether it’s booking a stay, finding contact info, or learning more about your facilities. Use a clean layout, clear menus, and limit visual clutter to give your guests a smoother experience.
• Make your website mobile-friendly — Travelers are booking on their phones more than ever, so if your site doesn’t look great and load quickly on their mobile devices, you’re losing bookings.
• Showcase stunning visuals — High-quality photos and videos of your rooms, amenities, and local attractions to let guests picture themselves at your hotel.
• Simplify the booking process — If booking a room isn’t an easy process, your guests will give up and find somewhere where it is. Take care to keep your online booking process quick, intuitive, and hassle-free.
• Optimize for SEO — Use keywords like “luxury hotel in [your location],” “family-friendly hotel near [landmark],” and “boutique hotel downtown” so your site ranks higher in search results.

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A well-designed, fast, and easy-to-navigate website goes a long way to convincing your guests to choose you over your competitors! And while we’re on the subject of a strong online presence, another huge component of that is to …

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2. Use Social Media Strategically

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Social media is a great place for engaging with guests and, when used right, an extremely powerful tool for attracting travelers and showcasing what makes your hotel special!

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But simply having an account and slapping up a few pictures isn’t going to cut it. If you want a strong social media presence, you’ve got to have engaging content that stops viewers mid-scroll and encourages them to take a second look.

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Here are some pointers on how you can use social media marketing strategies on Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok to grab attention and boost your bookings!

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• Share visually stunning content — Post photos and videos of your rooms, amenities, scenic views, and nearby attractions to help travelers imagine their stay.
• Highlight guest experiences — Repost user-generated content from happy guests, share positive reviews, and showcase all of the fun events happening at your hotel!
• Use short-form video — Short, engaging videos showcasing your hotel’s vibe, fun staff, unique features, and local hotspots can go viral and help you attract new guests.
• Use social media ads — Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow you to target specific demographics, interests, and locations to make sure your ads reach travelers who are most likely to book.

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3. A Smart Email Marketing Strategy

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Email isn’t the newest marketing tool anymore, but it still remains one of the most effective!

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But only when it's done right

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The goal here is to not overwhelm your guests with marketing blasts but to send them messages they actually want to open.

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Here are some tips on how to make your email marketing strategy work for you and keep your emails out of the trash folder!

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• Segment your audience —Tailor your emails based on factors like past bookings, location, and travel preferences to make sure you’re sending relevant content your audience is more likely to appreciate and engage with.
• Welcome emails that wow — After someone books a stay, send a personalized welcome email that includes helpful info, local recommendations, and a warm introduction to your hotel. 
• Exclusive deals and promotions — Offer email subscribers special discounts and limited-time offers that they can’t find anywhere else.
• Follow-up after their stay — A friendly thank-you email with a request for a review keeps your hotel top of mind and builds your online reputation.
• Seasonal and event-based emails — Highlight seasonal packages, local festivals, and special events that might interest your guests during their next stay.
• Re-engagement emails — Haven’t seen a guest in a while? Send a personalized “We miss you” email with a tempting offer to bring them back.

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4. Optimize Your Hotel’s Google Business Profile

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Google is very often a traveler’s first stop when they begin their search for lodging.

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This means that if your hotel doesn’t have a Google Business Profile (or has one that isn’t fully optimized!), you could be missing out on business. Your Google Business Profile not only provides valuable contact and other information to your guests but also ensures that your hotel is showing up on Google Maps, which is essential for visibility these days.

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Follow the tips below to boost your Google Business Profile and stand out!

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• Claim and verify your profile — If you haven’t claimed your Google Business Profile yet, do it now! It’s totally free and a must-have to show up in Google SERPs (search engine results pages).
• Keep your info up to date — Make sure your address, phone number, website, and hours are accurate so any potential guests can easily get in touch with you.
• Upload high-quality photos — Showcase your rooms, amenities, and surroundings with professional photos that make your hotel look like the perfect place to book a stay.
• Encourage positive reviews — Reviews are crucial! Ask satisfied guests to leave feedback (and incentivize them if you need to!), and be sure to respond professionally and promptly to both positive and negative reviews.
• Use Google Posts —Share updates, promotions, and special events to keep your profile fresh and engaging.

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5. Tap into Local SEO

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If you want travelers to find your hotel when they search online, then upping your local SEO game is how you do it.

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By optimizing your online presence for not just any search but local searches, you’ll make sure that your hotel shows up in search results when people are actively looking for places to stay in your area.

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Here are a few tips on how to boost your local SEO for more visibility:

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• Use location-specific keywords — Optimize your website with phrases like “luxury hotel in [city],” “family-friendly hotel near [landmark],” or “romantic getaway in [region].”
• Optimize your Google Business Profile — (See tip #4!) This is essential for local SEO and helps your hotel appear in Google Maps and local search results.
• Get listed in local directories — Make sure your hotel is listed on popular platforms like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and local business directories.
• Manage your online reputation — Things like positive reviews and recommendations not only build trust, they also improve your search engine rankings.
• Create content with a local focus — Blog posts about local events, seasonal activities, and nearby attractions can help your site rank higher in local searches.

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6. Content Marketing

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We’ve said it before: Content is king, friends.

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And it’s more than just material to fill up your website. Good content has the power to boost your online visibility and position your hotel as the best choice for travelers in your area. By focusing on creating content that is helpful, valuable, and engaging, you can attract more guests, answer questions, and inspire more folks to book a stay!

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Make your content marketing more effective by implementing the following tips:

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• Write blog posts that travelers care about — Cover topics like “Top Attractions Near [Your Hotel],” “5 Reasons to Visit [Your City] This Summer,” or “How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Getaway.”
• Highlight unique experiences — Showcase what makes your hotel special—whether it’s a rooftop bar with city views, spa services, family-friendly fun, or your proximity to popular landmarks.
• Create local guides — Help guests explore the area with helpful and convenient guides that recommend restaurants, activities, and hidden gems nearby.
• Use SEO to increase visibility — Optimize your content with keywords that travelers are searching for, like “luxury hotel near [landmark]” or “pet-friendly hotel in [city].”

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7. Team Up for Influencer Marketing

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Nothing beats word-of-mouth recommendations from guests … unless it comes from someone who has thousands (or millions!) of loyal followers!

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This is why, for hotels, influencer marketing is a perfect way to showcase your property and promotions through authentic and relatable content that comes from a source your potential guests already know and trust. Whether it’s a travel blogger focusing on your luxurious amenities or a family vlogger gushing about your kid-friendly activities, teaming up with social media influencers is a great way to boost awareness and add some social proof to your marketing strategies.

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Here are some tips:

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• Partner with influencers who vibe with your brand’s unique style — Choose influencers whose content matches the vibe and aesthetic of your hotel—whether that’s luxury travel, family vacations, or budget-friendly adventures. Make sure their audience demographics match your ideal guests.
• Host influencer stays— Invite influencers to experience your hotel and share their stay through photos, videos, and blog posts. Be sure to provide a memorable experience they’ll want to rave about—including standout amenities, personalized touches, and behind-the-scenes access.
• Collaborate on engaging content— Work with influencers to create content that highlights your hotel’s unique features, amenities, and location in a way that resonates with their followers. This can include room tours, day-in-the-life videos, or local activity guides.
• Use influencer-generated content —Repurpose the photos and videos influencers create by sharing them on your own social media channels, website, and marketing materials. User-generated content adds authenticity and builds social proof.
• Offer exclusive promo codes— Provide influencers with unique discount codes their followers can use when booking a stay. Not only does this incentivize bookings, but it also helps you track ROI from each partnership.
• Build long-term relationships— Don’t limit yourself to one-off partnerships. Try to build ongoing relationships with influencers who genuinely love your property, so they continue recommending your hotel to their followers over time.

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8. Seasonal and Limited-Time Promotions

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Who doesn’t love a good deal, right?

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And your deal-loving guests are more likely to jump at an offer when it’s only available for a limited time only! This is why seasonal and promotional offers are excellent ways to create a sense of urgency that can encourage more travelers to book sooner rather than wait around and potentially miss out on a great deal.

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Looking for more tips on how to use promotions to increase your bookings? Here are some of our favorites:

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• Offer seasonal packages. Think winter getaway deals, summer vacation discounts, or holiday weekend specials that include extra perks like free breakfast or late check-out.
• Use flash sales to create urgency. Limited-time discounts—like “Book by Friday and save 20%”—can encourage guests to book on the spot.
• Celebrate local events and holidays. Offer special rates during local festivals, concerts, or sports events to attract travelers visiting the area.
• Reward repeat guests. A loyalty program with exclusive discounts and perks can turn one-time visitors into lifelong customers.
• Promote your offers everywhere. Highlight your promotions on your website, social media, email newsletters, and online booking platforms to maximize visibility.

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Ready for Hotel Marketing Strategies That Work?

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Of course, implementing any of the above strategies is easier said than done!

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It takes planning, social media know-how, creative expertise, and time to get it all done. So, if your hotel is looking to boost its marketing strategies but lacks what it really needs to do it, then we have one more marketing strategy to tell you before you go.

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Why not partner with Designity?

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Designity is an innovative Creative as a Service platform that is made up of the best of the best in fields like digital marketing, SEO, graphic design, copywriting, video production, illustration, and more. Everyone you need on your team to boost your hotel’s marketing efforts and start driving more bookings and more growth for your hotel.

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If you’re ready to learn more, we invite you to check out our hospitality marketing service page and portfolio to see how Designity’s experts have made all the difference for brands just like yours.

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Like what you see? Go ahead and book your demo call today. We’ll get you started with a two-week, no-obligation trial so you can test-drive our 100+ design and marketing services and see why Designity is the marketing partner your hotel has been waiting for.

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Is your hotel ready for a marketing strategy that works?