In the hospitality industry expensive doesn’t necessarily denote top quality. Premium service and amenities can be had for a nominal price just like in the well-designed budget hotels near Warrington in the U.K. Surveys of online bookings show that business and leisure travellers bypassed luxury accommodation in favour of these mini marvels. Incentive Travel & Corporate Meetings (ITCM) published an article describing this trend.
The international online booking portal hotel.info has conducted a survey with more than 2,000 booking customers and discovered that well-designed budget hotels are being booked more and more frequently by business travellers and those taking a city break.
The value of styling by design
It’s a simple way of thinking: “Why pay more if it looks and feels spot-on?” This is where the hotel’s investment in smart décor will pay for itself. Travellers are not afraid to show their practical side by spending less on accommodation and leaving more for the fun things.
Business travellers especially tend to choose their stay in an unfamiliar location more by the value of the hotel. They are also booking unique hotels much more often than the predictability and sameness of chain hotels. If the hotel offers a good meeting point then so much the better. This means the business person does not have to waste time looking for such places.
Carving a niche
In the early days, “budget” and “stylish” would never have been mentioned in the same breath. Hotel owners with design flair and keen business skills have paved the way for a new category: the classy budget hotel.
…Well-designed and quirky budget hotels are definitely in. The motto “Plenty of design for not much money“ is becoming more popular. In this way these hotels can take their place in a niche between luxury and low-budget hotels.
Big on features, not on price
The term “budget hotel” refers to the pricing and nothing more. Affordable hotels in Widnes and surrounding areas, like the Happy Guests Lodge, prioritise the guest experience by providing personalised services and great amenities such as free Wi-Fi, breakfast, cable television, family discounts, and more.
Smart travellers spend smart
Sensible travellers will find ways to maximise their budget and hopefully get more than they pay for. It is far better and less stressful to live within one’s means than by the seat of one’s trousers. It’s not about spending a lot; it’s about spending wisely.
(Article Excerpt and Image from “Small but refined – the trend towards the well-designed budget hotel”, 16 September 2014, Incentive Travel)
