Innovate Your Room Service: Ideas to Delight Your Guests

Hello hoteliers and managers!👋 Today we're going to dive into one of the most important elements of guest service: room service.

But first, let's meet an important member of our team - Hoopie. An avid traveller, Hoopie, has accumulated a wealth of room service experience that he'll share in this article. We'll translate his insights into actionable tips and innovative ideas.

At Hoop, our goal is to find creative ways to make every hotel stay memorable. Whether you manage a boutique hotel or a large chain, these practical suggestions will help you improve your room service and leave your guests thoroughly impressed.

Idea 1: Personalised welcome amenities

Imagine arriving at your room to find a little surprise waiting for you - a personalised welcome amenity that speaks directly to your tastes and preferences. It could be a handwritten note, a favourite snack or even a small local souvenir. Personalisation goes a long way to making guests feel valued and appreciated.

Hoopie shares: "I recently stayed in a boutique hotel where they asked for my favourite snacks when I booked. When I entered the room, there was a thoughtful selection on the table with a personalised note. It made me feel instantly welcomed and understood as a guest".

Tips for implementation:

Gather guest preferences: Use your reservation system or pre-arrival surveys to gather information about guest preferences.
Keep it genuine: Personalisation should feel authentic and tailored to each guest.
Surprise and delight: Go the extra mile to exceed expectations - it is the little things that count.

Idea 2: Technology-enabled ordering systems

Technology has revolutionised the way we do things, and room service is no exception. Implementing a tech-enabled ordering system can streamline operations, minimise errors and ensure faster service delivery.

Hoopie speaks: "On a recent business trip, I stayed in a modern hotel equipped with a QR that linked to a state-of-the-art room service website. With just a few taps on my smartphone, I was able to browse the menu, customise my order and even request a delivery time. It also provided real-time updates on the status of my order, ensuring that my food arrived promptly and exactly as I requested. There was nothing to download and install and it was incredibly convenient and improved my overall experience as a guest".

Picture this. Guests can scan a QR code in their room, go to the digital menu website and place their room service order using their smartphone. They can browse the menu, customise their orders and even track the status of their delivery in real-time. This not only increases convenience but also improves overall guest satisfaction.

Tools to consider:

Web apps: Offer a QR code with a link to your website where guests can place orders from anywhere on the property.
Tablet integration: Equip your staff with tablets to take orders quickly and accurately.
Automated systems: Integrate your ordering system with your kitchen and inventory management for seamless operations.

Benefits:

Efficiency: Orders are processed faster, reducing wait times for guests.
Accuracy: Minimise order-taking and delivery errors.
Data Insights: Analyse ordering trends to optimise menu offerings and service timing.

Idea 3: Room dining experiences

Elevate the traditional room service experience by offering creative dining options that surprise and delight your guests. Think beyond the standard menu items and create memorable dining experiences right in the comfort of their rooms.

Hoopie shares his experience: "During a romantic getaway with my wife, we stayed at a seaside resort that offered themed in-room dining experiences. From a romantic candlelit dinner with a personalised menu to a family-style feast celebrating local cuisine, each experience was carefully curated to enhance the guest's stay."

Tips for creativity:

Local flavours: highlight regional specialities and seasonal ingredients.
Themed dinners: Offer special menus for occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays or holidays.
Interactive elements: Consider DIY kits or chef-led virtual cooking classes for an engaging experience.

Idea 4: Offer health-conscious and local cuisine

As guests become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, catering to their dietary preferences and offering locally sourced ingredients can set your hotel apart.

Hoopie's experience: "It was a wellness retreat at an eco-friendly resort. I was impressed with their commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. The room service menu offered a variety of plant-based dishes made with organic ingredients from nearby farms. Each dish was not only delicious, but also suited my dietary preferences, making me feel good about my choices while supporting the local community."

Trend Spotlight: There's a growing demand for healthier dining options and an appreciation for locally sourced ingredients. Guests are increasingly looking for menus that offer fresh, nutritious choices and support local producers.

Implementation Tips:

Farm-to-table: Work with local farmers and suppliers to source fresh ingredients.
Health and wellness menus: Include vegan, gluten-free and low-calorie options in your room service menu.
Educate and inform: Share the stories behind your local suppliers and the benefits of sustainable dining practices.

Idea 5: High-tech room amenities

Integrating high-tech amenities directly into the guest room experience can take comfort and convenience to new heights.

Hoopie shares his story: At a tech-forward hotel in Silicon Valley, I experienced their innovative room amenities firsthand. The room was equipped with an intelligent control panel that allowed me to adjust the lighting, and temperature and even request housekeeping services using voice commands. It felt like stepping into the future of hospitality, where every aspect of my stay was seamlessly integrated and personalised to my preferences. In addition to the smart control panel, the hotel offered an innovative augmented reality (AR) experience. Using an AR headset provided in the room, I was able to take virtual tours of nearby attractions, view real-time information about local events, and even explore the hotel's facilities in a fully immersive way. It was like having a personal concierge at my fingertips, guiding me through every aspect of my stay with unprecedented ease and sophistication."

Examples of innovation:

Smart rooms: Equipping rooms with IoT devices that allow guests to control lighting, temperature and entertainment systems using voice commands or a central control panel.
Virtual Concierge: Implement virtual concierge services through smart TVs or mobile apps that give guests instant access to hotel information, local recommendations and booking services.
Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences: Increase guest engagement with AR features that provide interactive tours of the hotel, historical information about the area, or virtual previews of amenities such as the spa or restaurant.

Conclusion

Innovating your room service isn't just about meeting guest expectations - it's about exceeding them. By personalising welcome amenities, leveraging technology, offering creative dining experiences, and embracing health-conscious and local cuisine, you can create memorable stays that keep guests coming back.

At Hoop, we're passionate about helping hotels optimise their operations and enhance the guest experience. Explore our digital room service solutions to see how we can support your journey to excellence.