How Can Boutique Hotels in the UK Utilize Instagram Stories to Enhance Guest Experience?
In today’s digital age, social media platforms such as Instagram play a pivotal role in the hospitality industry. Instagram, especially, is a potent tool for boutique hotels in the UK to promote their brand, interact with guests, and even enhance the guest experience. In particular, Instagram Stories, a feature that allows users to post photos and videos that vanish after 24 hours, can be strategically utilized to elevate the brand and guest experience. From showcasing the hotel’s unique attributes to offering real-time updates and creating a sense of community, Instagram Stories has a wealth of potential for savvy hoteliers.
Showcase the Property and Unique Attributes
Before guests decide to book a stay at a hotel, they want to get a feel for the property and what makes it unique. Instagram Stories offers hotels a perfect platform to showcase their property and its unique attributes.
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High-quality photos and videos of the hotel’s interior and exterior, rooms and suites, amenities, and adjacent attractions can be posted on Instagram Stories. This not only gives potential guests a sneak peek into what to expect during their stay but also underscores the uniqueness of the property.
In addition, hotels can use Instagram Stories to highlight their USPs (Unique Selling Proposition). If a hotel is based in a historic building, for instance, it can share stories about the building’s history. If a hotel is eco-friendly, it can share tips on sustainable living and how it incorporates green practices into its operations.
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Offer Real-Time Updates
Instagram Stories are temporary, which makes them ideal for sharing real-time updates. Hotels can use this feature to keep their guests informed about on-going events, special offers, or updates about the property.
For instance, if a hotel is hosting a wine tasting event, it can use Instagram Stories to share behind-the-scenes footage, offer a glimpse of the preparations, or even post live updates during the event. This not only promotes the event but also creates a sense of excitement among the guests and followers.
Furthermore, real-time updates can be used to inform guests about changes in hotel policies, safety measures, or even weather updates relevant to their stay. In this way, Instagram Stories can act as an effective communication tool between the hotel and its guests.
Promote Guest Interaction and Engagement
Interaction and engagement are the lifeblood of any social media platform, and Instagram Stories are no different. Hotels can use this feature to interact with their guests and followers, thus fostering a sense of community and making the guests feel valued.
One way to promote interaction is by using Instagram’s interactive features like polls, quizzes, and Q&As in the stories. For example, a hotel can conduct a poll asking the followers their favourite dish from the hotel’s menu, or a quiz about the property’s history. This not only keeps the followers engaged but also provides valuable insights into their preferences.
In addition, hotels can encourage guests to share their own experiences on Instagram Stories and tag the property. This not only boosts the hotel’s visibility on the platform but also enhances the sense of community among the guests.
Leverage Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is a powerful tool in the hospitality industry, and Instagram Stories present an excellent opportunity to leverage this strategy.
Hotels can collaborate with influencers who align with their brand and values. These influencers can then share their hotel experience with their followers through Instagram Stories. This not only exposes the hotel to a wider audience but also lends credibility to the brand, as potential guests are more likely to trust a recommendation from a person they follow and admire.
It’s important, however, to choose the right influencers. The influencers’ followers should match the hotel’s target demographic. The influencers should also have a genuine connection to the brand.
Measure and Analyze Engagement
Finally, hotels should use Instagram’s analytics tools to measure and analyze the engagement on their stories. This data can provide valuable insights into what type of content resonates most with the followers, the best times to post, and how the stories are driving traffic to the hotel’s website.
Furthermore, these insights can be used to refine the hotel’s Instagram Stories strategy. If a certain type of story consistently receives high engagement, the hotel might want to post similar content more often. Conversely, if a story receives little engagement, the hotel might want to either tweak the content or focus on different types of stories.
By employing these strategies, boutique hotels in the UK can effectively use Instagram Stories to enhance their brand and guest experience. In the process, they can also increase their visibility, foster a strong sense of community, and ultimately, drive more bookings.
Highlighting Local Partnerships and Community Involvement
Boutique hotels, by definition, are intimately connected with their local communities. They often source locally, partner with neighborhood businesses, and contribute to local events. Instagram Stories can be used to highlight these connections, further strengthening the hotel’s brand identity and enhancing the guest experience.
Sharing stories about working with a local bakery to provide fresh pastries for breakfast or collaborating with a nearby art gallery for unique room decor can add layers to the hotel’s narrative. This sort of content not only underscores the hotel’s commitment to the local community but also adds value to the guest’s stay by introducing them to local businesses and experiences.
Moreover, boutique hotels can use Instagram Stories to promote local events and attractions. This could involve posting about an upcoming music festival, sharing highlights of a local farmer’s market, or offering a sneak peek at a newly opened restaurant. By doing so, the hotel positions itself as a trusted source of local knowledge, further enhancing the guest experience.
In addition, showcasing the hotel’s involvement in community initiatives, such as clean-up drives or charity events, can resonate with guests who value social responsibility. Such stories can amplify the hotel’s brand identity as a socially conscious business, attracting like-minded guests.
Crafting a Cohesive and Engaging Narrative
Instagram Stories offer an opportunity for boutique hotels to craft a cohesive and engaging narrative that goes beyond static images. By weaving together different elements – property highlights, guest interactions, local partnerships, and influencer collaborations – hotels can create a dynamic storyline that draws in viewers and enhances the guest experience.
For instance, a story could start with a morning view from one of the hotel rooms, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen preparing for breakfast, a shout-out to the local bakery supplying the pastries, and a poll asking guests their favourite breakfast item. This simple narrative not only showcases the property and its partnerships but also engages viewers and fosters a sense of community.
Importantly, the narrative should align with the hotel’s brand identity. If the hotel positions itself as a luxury retreat, the stories should reflect that – perhaps by focusing on the high-quality amenities, exclusive events, and exceptional service. If the hotel markets itself as a family-friendly vacation rental, the stories could highlight kid-friendly activities, special family packages, and comfortable, spacious rooms.
Whether showcasing the property, promoting guest interaction, highlighting local partnerships, leveraging influencer marketing, or crafting engaging narratives, Instagram Stories can be a powerful tool for boutique hotels. With strategic planning and execution, these transient snippets can leave a lasting impression, enhance the guest experience, and drive direct bookings.
Conclusion
In the competitive world of the hospitality industry, boutique hotels must constantly evolve their digital marketing strategy to stay relevant and attractive to potential guests. Instagram Stories, with their dynamic, temporary nature, offer a unique platform to engage with guests and enhance their experience. By showcasing their property and unique features, offering real-time updates, promoting engagement, leveraging influencer marketing, highlighting local partnerships, and crafting engaging narratives, boutique hotels can effectively use this social media tool to boost their brand, foster a sense of community, and drive direct bookings. With continued innovation and a keen understanding of their target audience, boutique hotels in the UK can harness the power of Instagram Stories to further differentiate themselves in the evolving hospitality landscape.