In our early research for family hospitality suites we learned about some amazing, innovative products and considered some creative activities that could be promoted in hotel guestroom directories to encourage guest interaction and memorable experiences.
PRODUCTS! PRODUCTS! PRODUCTS!
For those that have been able to walk through our vignette, here's a list of the vendors we utilized in our space for your reference (In no particular order. A big thank you to all of our vendors who have worked so hard throughout this process!):
SVT Woodworking: various casegoods throughout space, including the queen room headboard and closet/nightstand units, credenza and dining table.
Interface: our fun and unique carpet tile!
American Leather: chaise sofa sleeper with pull out queen sized bed.
D'Style: living room end tables and accessories.
Trinity Lighting: various lighting needs throughout space, including bunk room reading lights, queen bedroom headboard sconces, living room floor lamps, and ceiling surface mounts.
Hafele: fulfilled all of our hardware needs +additional, unique lighting throughout the space. Cabinet hardware, cabinet strip lighting, cabinet puck lights, sensor lights--these guys were a tremendous help!
Cosentino: the beautiful quartz counters and kitchenette sink.
Richloom Fabrics: all of our fabric needs for bedding, pillows and draperies.
MDC: the great wallcovering throughout, including that amazing accent wall, and the Tabrasa Idea markerboard paint.
Global Allies: the rolling desk chair
Lodging Kit: created an amazing kitchenette package that would allow guests every convenience of home.
Samsung: why, TV's, of course!
Ren-Wil: the unique and beautiful artwork throughout.
Simmons: mattresses for both the queen guest and kids' bunk room.
Supa Doors: the amazing, space saving, pocket and slider doors.
V-Tech: phone system.
TeleAdapt: the fantastic power/media hubs that integrate beautifully into casegoods with a sleek, compact design that allows guests to connect their electronic devices, such as iPod, laptop, game console, digital camera, HD camcorder or portable DVD player to the in-room TV, and enjoy extra power and an Internet access point all at the same time.
Safemark Systems: in room safe.
Delta Faucets: kitchenette faucet.
As well, here are some unique products we didn't get a chance to showcase!
TODDLER BACKPACKS
One suggestion we received from the surveys we sent out to hoteliers/friends/family was to have backpacks available for purchase in the gift shop for kids to haul their gear around while hitting the town with parents. Hotels could then brand the bags with the hotel information as part of their advertising via embroidery or screenprinting. And who could resist cute bags like these? The Skip Hop Zoo Pack Toddler backpacks are BPA, Phthalate and PVC free, with an adjustable side pocket for a sippy cup, easy to clean lining, padded straps, and contain an interior write on nametag. The Eco Snooper character bag has a peel off primate for playtime and comes with a story promoting friendship and environmental awareness.
TOYGAROO for your “Toy and Game Box”
It's like Netflix, but for toys! This fast growing company was first funded by Sharktank. Packages of sanitized toys are delivered directly to you that you’ve preselected from their website. For a variety of age groups and many different package options. Plans range from $24.99/mo to $52.99/mo depending on the number of toys checked out and how many at a time. Due to how quickly kids can outgrow toys, these packages have been shown to save parents up to $1825/year. In a hotel setting, this allows hotels to create a program that would increase profits by allowing parents to pack less.
24" Bosch Axxis Washer Dryer Series
The Axxis series is energy and water efficient. It can be stacked and put in any room due to it's compact size. The most exciting part? The dryer is ventless and requires no ducting. Water is condensed and collects in the compartment shown below. Just empty after each use.
Healthy Vending Options through In Room Plus and Unique Local Flair
There are many companies that offer healthier alternatives and the savvy traveler today is more conscious. Our research showed us that guests are looking for healthier alternatives, as well as, a unique local flair to the treats offered in the guestroom minibars. Minibars can be a troublesome aspect. Usually the pricing that has to be set on items (for a profitable hotel program) creates double/triple markups on everyday snacks. However, guests have mentioned that they would be more willing to pay that higher price tag on items that are harder to come by. Guests can go to the gift shop to find a bag of Doritos or a can of Coke, so why not consider partnering up with some locals to “give a taste” of the area? Small batch/crafted sodas, organic produce from local farms/orchards, handcrafted candies, 3.5oz containers of local ice cream/frozen yogurt, roasted nut varieties from the local farmer’s market–items that reflect the uniqueness of your city that locals would tell visitors, “You have to try ____!”
For those that would prefer someone else creating the packages, why not consider a company like In-Room Plus?
In addition to over 400 products, In-Room Plus can also offer you a wide variety of services that cannot be matched by our competitors. We are the only company completely devoted to minibars. With over 20 years experience, we are familiar with your unique concerns and requirements, and can help you to select best selling snacks and amenities that will make your program profitable. After all, your success is directly related to ours!
In-Room Plus has the ability to develop a unique and customized product line for your minibars; to promote the look of your hotels and to increase your minibar sales.
We provide products that will have your guests feeling good about staying in for the night or having a night cap whether it’s with a tin of Chocolate Covered Almonds or a Passion Kit. If you have an idea for a new kit or products that you don’t find listed please call us! We cannot possibly list everything and if we don’t carry it, we’ll do the work to source it for you. The logo containers we list are also our standard offerings. We encourage you to add labeling & branding to all jars, tins and boxes. We’ll also print boxes to your specs or create something that we think fits your image! If your guests expect things to be straight forward, we’ll call an Intimacy Kit just that… If you want to call it something else let’s get brainstorming.
This company doesn’t have any charge on set up fees, free freight (w/minimum purchase), is a focused hospitality supplier, can manufacture product mixes to your specs (your own trail mix??) and create custom packaging, and has two warehouses for fulfillment. Featured in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Fortune 500 Magazine as “minibar experts”, this company continues to expand, both nationally and internationally.
HOTEL DIRECTORY ACTIVITIES!
Why not offer some family friendly activities at your hotel that could be promoted in the guestroom directories? Here are some fun ideas we gathered from our surveys and research:
- Kids’ Lunch with the Chef!
Bring the kids to learn how to make pizza with the chef. - Story Time!
Go have a date night on the town, or take a break during the day, while our on site daycare hosts a children’s author book reading. - Voluntourism
Join up with a local charity or zoo for activities to learn and have fun while giving back. - Doggy Lounge/Spa
“Treat your pet as you want to be treated!”
