How to curate a personalized selection of hotels for client proposals

Enjoy a free replay of this webinar! You can skip around to various parts of the session: 

00:06:56 What are the key factors that you consider when you're scanning a huge list of hotels to immediately shorten it a little bit?

00:11:01 Where do you go to look for information particularly about a hotel’s aesthetic? How can a travel advisor sitting at home get a true sense of that?

00:19:02 How do you keep track of little tidbits of information, like hotels another advisor recommended?

00:20:56 Where reps come into play in the hotel search process

00:24:05 How many hotels do you like to present to clients in each city, and how do you hone in on the ones you’ll present from a list of 25-40?

00:32:12 What is your approach when you aren’t familiar with a destination that your clients want to go? 

00:35:42 How important are site inspections in the hotel curation process, and how do you decide where to do them?

00:43:00 How do you present the short list of hotels to clients? (Email, phone call, Loom video, etc)

00:45:24 Real-life scenarios of working with clients to find the best hotel, and managing expectations on who makes the final choice of hotel 

00:54:08 The process advisors can follow to help clients take ownership of decisions and be part of the process 

00:56:39 Real-time example of walking a client through choosing between two different hotels 

1:01:00 Questions from webinar participants 

1:05:00 Transition to demonstrate how to transfer all of this information to The Hive

1:08:21 How to search on The Hive

1:14:33 How to find personalized reviews from advisors about hotels 

1:22:23 How to organize all your information in notes on The Hive

1:26:17 How to collaborate and see notes of other advisors on The Hive

1:37:51 Whitney’s favorite feature – suggesting suppliers you can’t find

1:41:01 How newer advisors can use The Hive 

Curating a personalized selection of hotels for client proposals: key strategies for travel advisors

Crafting tailored hotel recommendations for clients is a pivotal part of a travel advisor’s work. It helps establish your expertise with clients which in turn builds trust and enables you to share your professional opinions and the insights you've gathered in a way that guides clients to feel confident about their decisions and the itinerary you've designed together.

Plus, it helps clients SEE that you're truly designing a personalized itinerary, just for them, and not just saying that you do.

But with our always evolving industry + the world being so big, it can be hard to recommend personalized hotels that impress every time. 

On top of that, there have been very few tools to support travel advisors in their research and curation process. We’ve been forced for too long to rely on scrolling through Facebook groups and disappointing digital information to find hotel information…

So whether you are a seasoned or new advisor…

Or whether you cater to high net worth individuals, families, or couples…

The strategies that we covered in this webinar can help streamline and enhance your approach to hotel selection.

How to personalize presenting hotel options to clients 

As is the case with anything travel advisors do, having your ideal client in mind is the starting point for how you communicate with them. And when it comes to presenting hotel options to clients, personalization is crucial. 

Work with a high net worth client? They might be busy and want to briefly glance at a concise email with just two or three options.

Versus a family, who might want a more interactive Loom video, live call, or detailed email that helps outline the pros and cons of a hotel taking in mind the whole group.

Understanding and meeting client expectations

What about when it comes to actually choosing the best hotel options to add to your shortlist? This is where strong communication and asking the right questions helps you gather the information you need from clients to truly understand what they want. Look beyond the easy topics like cleanliness and safety – what amenities do you they prefer? Do they expect activities for children? What aesthetic will impress them?

Selecting the right hotel involves more than just looking at star ratings or guest reviews. Factors like location, design aesthetics, and the overall vibe of the property play a significant role in making a choice. Some clients may prefer a hotel that combines original architectural details with contemporary design, whereas others might prioritize the unique feel and location of the property.

Understanding these nuances helps in presenting properties that truly resonate with your clients' expectations. Whether it's comparing two luxury hotels in Ireland or two Parisian icons, the ability to highlight differences in ambiance, activities, and clientele appeal can guide clients toward their ideal option.

The significance of hotel site inspections

For travel advisors, site inspections are invaluable for gaining firsthand knowledge of properties. But how important are they when it comes to curating personalized, impressive hotel recommendation lists? 

Having some kind of in-person experience with the property is always beneficial, because there is only so much you can learn from a website or even in conversation with a colleague. You don’t even have to stay at a hotel to get an insider look at what it offers your clients! Spend an afternoon visiting even just the lobbies or onsite cafes/restaurants if you don’t have time to schedule a full-on site inspection. 

Plus, site inspections offer a unique opportunity to build relationships with industry partners. This firsthand experience is crucial for making informed recommendations. 

And you never know…in the travel industry, strong relationships can lead to FAM invitations—exclusive trips organized by suppliers for travel advisors to experience properties firsthand. So any time you have an opportunity to do an in-person hotel visit, take the opportunity.

Leveraging tools and platforms for hotel curation succesS

Curating personalized hotel selections involves a multifaceted approach, combining advanced tools, deep client understanding, and rich personal experiences.

In the past, there were very few resources available to travel advisors who needed supplemental insights about properties they couldn’t visit. But recently, digital tools and resources have made it easier for travel advisors to gain insightful information about hotels and destinations around the world. 

The Hive is the travel industry’s most inclusive tool for travel advisors, providing an extensive library of suppliers and detailed supplier profiles that you won’t find anywhere else on the internet. Travel suppliers can search for properties based on specific criteria such as activities, room size, and location. 

Plus, The Hive also supports collaboration, enabling advisors to share personal notes, feedback, and insights from site inspections. Additional features allow you to tag notes with various information (locations, suppliers, other advisors, etc). 

Want to learn more about The Hive and how it can support you when curating a personalized selection of hotels for client proposals? Check out a recorded demo or jump right in with a free 6-week trial!