Hospitality is a widely-used but little-understood term that encompasses a general welcoming feeling, a world-spanning industry comprised of several business categories, and even a means to describe diplomatic relationships between countries, sometimes goodwill at the highest level. One thing’s for sure, hospitality is often a virtue, but it doesn’t come without caveats. Below, we’ll discuss the hallmarks of hospitality and what they demand.
By Team Savant
Image: Alev Takil
This is important to keep in mind when designing a hospitality business, especially one that appeals to a diverse clientele. Many people think of launching a restaurant, a cafe, a hotel, or even hope to add hospitable elements to their conventional business, but it’s important to really think about the structure this will take and what markers are important to hit before you do. This way, you can predict and improve the entire guest experience, from when they first enter your doors to leaving satisfied and comforted, soon to return.
The Arc Of An Experience
It’s important to not only consider the welcoming experience at your front desk, or seating your guests when they arrive, but also the comfort of their stay, who and how they might contact you should they need anything, and also how you wave farewell to them after a pleasant stay. Make sure you train staff on this entire experience, keep that impartial professionalism thoroughly intact, and refine responsibility when dealing with customer complaints. At every point, clarity of communication and accommodations within reason are key, and this latter point is why well-crafted terms of service are so essential. Every outcome must be accounted for.
Signage & Accessibility
Signage is not only essential for emergency situations but in order to sustain the natural flow of footfall and to make occupying your building or open premises less frustrating. This could be as simple as making sure the tables in a cafe or restaurant can be easily accessed and their layout is navigable, or it could mean making sure B & B room numbers are clearly labelled and signposted so guests can find their way around. This is even more essential for restrooms, which should be pointed to, clearly labelled, and privately shielded. Moreover, accessibility, be that with ramps for wheelchair access or braille signage can also be tremendously helpful.
Catering To All Tastes
Of course, you might not be able to cater to every single request ever, but it’s nice to have enough to satiate most people. For instance, vegan selections on your menu, disability access in many hotel rooms or into your premises, and even nice additions like specialty coffee drinks to boost your business and encourage people to stay with you can be ideal. For instance, we’re now seeing many restaurants provide keto-friendly meals, and gluten-free options, and they may even work with delivery apps to better ensure a positive outreach. When you’re able to curate hospitality in this way, you end up enjoying a better outcome.
With this advice, you’re sure to implement the hallmarks of hospitality, using general principles known to work.