While we’ve all welcomed the return of travel, it has been a challenging year with rising costs and supply chain delays. This is also expected to continue (and potentially be amplified) in 2023. In light of this period of uncertainty, our hotel customers have continued to emphasize importance of having a cost-effective operation. Over the past year, we’ve chatted with industry insiders from Marriott and Hilton properties around the world, outlining tips and products to optimize operations and save — without compromising the guest experience.
Here are 3 of the biggest trends experts are talking about, along with 3 helpful linen tips curated to help your hotel increase its savings, efficiency, and appeal for your incoming guests. We hope these will help you start 2023 off on the right foot.
Trend #1: Luxury Travel is all the Rave – Get the Bed Upgrades your Guests Crave
Luxury travel will be a theme of 2023. According to a Vogue Magazine survey, half (49%) of all travelers plan to spend extra money saved during the pandemic to upgrade their 2023 vacations. As mid-tier properties cut amenities such as breakfast and daily housekeeping, travelers are as thirsty as ever for modern, luxurious accommodations and amenities.
To meet this need, many properties are spending the off season evaluating their rooms and performing maintenance and upgrades. As the centerpiece of any room, the guest bed cannot be ignored. Dated bed skirts just won’t cut it for 2023’s luxury traveler. Luckily, there are budget friendly and fashionable alternatives to make you beds dazzle. For example, check out Standard Textile’s Circa® Bed Wrap. With 8 stocked colors ready to ship today, you don’t have to wait to impress your guests with a clean, modern look.
BONUS: Consider adding the luxurious amenity of a Pillow Menu at your property in 2023. Not only will it wow guests, but it can even help you maintain tighter control over your pillow inventory.
Trend #2: Travelers are Planning Ahead – You Should Too!
Your guests shouldn’t be the only ones planning ahead. Properties should be thinking about the summer travel season now, making plans to ensure a proper stock of necessities, including bedding and towels. Knowing the proper Par Level of linens to maintain can be a challenge. That’s why we created our free Par Level Calculator, a perfect tool for planning your linen needs.
Trend #3: Responsible Travel is a Priority
Eco tourism and responsible travel may seem like buzzwords, travelers are more conscious of their environmental impact than ever. In a recent Marriott Bonvoy survey to its hotel guests, 70% of respondents selected that traveling sustainably enhances their experience.
Many sustainability initiatives are long term projects that require significant investments and aren’t always feasible. However, there are also numerous smaller scale initiatives that can not only make your hotel more sustainable but also help reduce your ongoing, recurring expenses.
Linen Tip #1: When to Replace Used Linen
Whether due to a stubborn stain, a tear, or discoloration, it is important that your laundry and housekeeping staff know when to replace used linen.
Linen Tip #2: Save Time & Money with Pre-Washed Linen
Not only can a new shipment of linen cause a major laundry backlog, but the costs of this initial laundering can really add up. The cost and hassle of this initial wash is what led us to create our innovative Room Ready for You® Laundered with Tide® program. This program delivers pre-washed sheets and towels to your properties, ready for immediate use.
Linen Tip #3: Is 100% Cotton Sheeting Right for your Property?
While it is true that 100% cotton has a luxurious softness, most of these products will not hold up to high use commercial settings and industrial laundering. This will lead to frequent replacing, which is why 100% cotton products are rarely seen in a hotel/commercial environment.
Boutique hotels have followed en suite to these industry trends, and we look forward to hearing about your experiences this summer while traveling in style.