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Stories that inspire: our favorite guest moments from April

Every guest story is an opportunity for a hotel to unveil something new. Stories reach & inspire—they’re truly memorable, sometimes magical, and a lot of times, a bit of fun.

In a way, we’ve fallen in love with guest stories, and every day see firsthand the impact they’re making for hotels. That’s why we’re sharing them with you! Check out a handful of our recent favorites below:

Lahaina Shores — Lahaina, Hawaii

“Since I moved back to Hawaii in 2005 after 35 years away, my parents and I stayed at Lahaina Shores every Thanksgiving week until 2012 when Dad passed away.

On Christmas day. Dad, being an alumnus and retired Director of Non-Traditional Studies at Chaminade University, was always invited to bring his family to the annual Maui Invitational Basketball tournament.

We always enjoyed our time in Maui and our stay at Lahaina Shores always began with the desk person(s) remembering us from the previous year and greeting us with sincere aloha.

I think the thing we loved the most about Lahaina Shores was its distance from the hustle and bustle of Front Street downtown Lahaina and the great relaxation experienced after a long day of basketball. Mom and I really miss those days and will always have Maui in our hearts.” — Leslie L.

Explore Maui

Lahaina Shores is at the center of a bittersweet memory for guest Leslie. It’s special stories like these that attract new audiences and capture the attention of new travelers worldwide.

Hacienda del Sol — Tucson, Arizona

“Snack time.” — Jeffrey C.

Admire more

An incredible moment caught by Jeffrey, a recent guest of Hacienda del Sol. In just one month, he’s warmly introduced the hotel to 424 future travelers, driving 213 unique site visitors and generating 33 warm leads.

Cherry Tree Inn — Traverse City, Michigan

“My husband and I have been coming to Traverse City for years, but last summer it was our first family vacation as three. Staying at the Cherry Tree Inn was so much fun and my little guy loved your pool! We would love to come back this summer!” — Ashley D.

Show some love

Cherry Tree Inn is enhancing their marketing with rich, authentic stories thanks to guests like Ashley.

Oglebay Resort — Wheeling, West Virginia

“The goat was going after my niece’s sucker. To distract the goat, I told my niece and the goat to smile for the picture and they both did!” — Kelly S.

Visit Oglebay

This moment of bliss shared by Kelly, taps into the experience at Oglebay Resort. Kelly’s story alone has captured the hearts and minds of 1,338 friends and family and driven 52 unique visitors.

Half Moon Inn — San Diego, California

“Humphreys never let’s us down. Their staff is accommodating and upbeat and their service is always on point. I enjoy myself as much as the kids every time we stay there.” — Ben Y.

Ride along

The impeccable service at Humphreys Half Moon Inn makes all the difference for repeat guest, Ben. Not only did Ben help Half Moon Inn tell a richer narrative, but he’s already shared his story with 1,176 friends and relatives, leading to 127 unique site visitors.

Kaanapali Alii — Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

“Standing on top of the rock and looking down, heart beating fast, and having to will yourself to jump off…but it’s worth it!” — Kassidy F.

Jump in

Kassidy’s story from a recent trip to Kaanapali Alii gives future travelers a glimpse into the adventure to be had in Maui.

Condo-World — Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

“These girls love their daily icees on the beach!” — Lori P.

Enjoy the sun

Nothing beats icees at the beach on a hot day. Lori, recent guest of Condo World shared this candid moment with 1,085 friends and relatives, generating 55 warm leads and 869 unique site visits for the resort.

The Lodge at Woodloch — Hawley, Pennsylvania

“Going to Woodloch was a wonderful way to reset from all of the stress of day to day life. The most amazing part of my stay was seeing a black bear cub on our hike! Absolutely incredible!” — Karen D.

Explore more

Karen shared this incredible moment from a trip to Lodge at Woodloch. She and her fellow guests are helping The Lodge at Woodloch get introduced to travelers a degree away at the fraction of the cost of traditional marketing. Karen’s story alone has generated over 47 warm leads in just one month.

Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort — Newport, Curaçao

“Says enough.” — Jennice W.

Relax a bit

Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort is warmly introducing their hotel to a global, targeted audience before their competitors even have a chance. They’re turning warm introductions into future reservations, each and every day.

Topnotch Resort & Spa — Stowe, Vermont

“Oh man, it’s hard to say just one great thing about our stay at Topnotch. I’d have to say the staff are remarkably friendly! We’ll be back next year.” — Jared H.

Make memories

Topnotch Resort is boosting revenue and amplifying their brand with inspiring travel stories shared by their guests. Together Jared and fellow guests have introduced the resort to more than 32,000 new travelers in under 3 months.

Landmark Resort — Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

“MacKenzie enjoying life to the fullest at Landmark Resort! MacKenzie is our sweet little granddaughter who is visually impaired! As you can tell by the picture she is having the time of her life sitting in the waves on a beach chair and feeling the soft squishy mud her mommy is putting on her lap! Her face says it all! Pure happiness at Myrtle Beach and the Landmark Resort!” — Judy B.

Soak it in

Landmark Resort is receiving amazing, personal introductions from guests like Judy. No stock image comes close to telling such a rich narrative for the resort. Judy’s touching story has generated over 100 warm leads.

Check back next month for even more. See any stories that stand out? Let us know!

Adventure back to March’s stories

Stories that inspire: our favorite guest moments from March

Every guest story is an opportunity for a hotel to unveil something new. Stories reach & inspire—they’re truly memorable, sometimes magical, and a lot of times, a bit of fun.

Westgate River Ranch Resort — River Ranch, Florida

“Beautiful sunrise horseback riding. The early bird gets the quietest and most stunning views of the property!” — Stephanie N.

Relax a bit

A stunning sunrise while horseback riding makes for a beautiful moment captured by Stephanie, a recent guest of Westgate River Ranch Resort. Together, Stephanie and fellow guests have helped the resort tap into over 32,000 authentic introductions in less than one month.

The Osthoff Resort — Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

“We often celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Osthoff. We were celebrating with a group on the lobby balcony when a guest sat at the piano and began playing ‘Piano Man’ in the bar area below. We all started singing and soon 50+ strangers had gathered and were toasting and singing in unison. It still gives me the chills.” — Tammy V.

Show some love

The Osthoff Resort is at the center of a memory that will be cherished for years to come. It’s special moments like these that resonate with future travelers.

Shephard’s Beach Resort — Clearwater, Florida

“Sweet sunset!” — Missy B.

Visit Clearwater

Missy, a recent guest of Shephard’s Beach Resort, took a moment to enjoy the beautiful Gulf sunset, later sharing this special moment with 195 friends and relatives. Together, in less than three months, Missy and fellow guests have warmly introduced Shephard’s Beach Resort to an audience of over 390,000, generating an astounding 4,088 warm leads!

Red Mountain Resort — Ivins, Utah

“I am truly humbled by the beauty of zion and Red mountain resort! This photo was taken on the zion day hike offered by red mountain resort. A must do if you love adventure and nature at its finest!” — Cynthia B.

Explore more

Red Mountain Resort reaches travelers perfect for their hotel thanks to guests like Cynthia. She shared her adventure with 377 friends and relatives, driving over 1,256 unique site visits and 88 warm leads.

Lakeway Resort — Austin, Texas

“Just a little man loving the pool!” — Kristen H.

Admire more

Kristen shared this moment of pure joy with 1,556 friends and relatives. She’s already led 260 of those reached back to the hotel’s website, generating 33 warm leads.

South Seas Island Resort — Captiva, Florida

“South Seas Island Resort has always been a place of celebration for us. My mom surprised me with a trip when I graduated college. I surprised her when she had a weight loss goal of over 100 pounds.

I love this picture because my mom looks carefree and full of life! I still can’t believe she did this since can’t even swim!! Now married and a new mother it would be amazing to have another celebration and share my love for Captiva with my growing family at South Seas!” — Melissa W.

Discover more

South Seas Island Resort holds a special place in Melissa’s heart. Stories like this one are more powerful than any ad.

Orchard Hotel — San Francisco, California

“Was out for a stroll the first day I arrived, and as I walked by the piers I saw this old ship sailing and I ran up to the pier and snapped the photo. It was taken on my birthday!! What a wonderful trip!” — Shannon T.

Take in the view

The perfect timing led to a breathtaking shot captured by Shannon, a recent guest of Orchard Hotel. She shared this beautiful birthday memory with 861 friends and relatives, generating 116 warm leads.

Crystal Lodge — Whistler, Canada

“The Crystal Lodge staff was tremendous – very helpful and attentive to our needs. The location is great, and we were delighted by the size of our room. A great value overall.” — Scott M.

Explore Whistler

An awesome location and all-star staff made all the difference for Scott, a recent guest of Crystal Lodge. It’s no wonder he shared this story with 782 friends and family members, drawing 745 site visitors and 102 warm leads.

Pacific Terrace — San Diego, California

“Grandpa at the Beach.” — Eileen K.

Make memories

Pacific Terrace is enhancing their marketing with rich, authentic content thanks to Eileen and fellow guests.

Carter Estate Winery and Resort — Temecula, California

“Beautiful! So relaxing. Every room has a spectacular view!” — Janee M.

Check out the view

Carter Estate Winery is boosting revenue and telling a richer story, all while amplifying their brand with an incredible library of content.

Check back next month for even more. See any stories that stand out? Let us know!

Adventure back to February’s stories

Storytelling: how to win travelers at every part of their journey

Hospitality and travel are two of the most experiential industries we’ll ever know. And yet, a survey of the marketing landscape in these two areas reveals a shortage of content that reflects just that—experiences that inspire people through candid moments that they can easily imagine themselves enjoying.

This leaves would-be guests bouncing from site to site trying to piece together a narrative to which they can relate. Google has cleverly termed this “travel snacking” and the comparison couldn’t be more appropriate.

Snacks are great, unless you’re hungry for a meal.

The issue is more pronounced when you look at how this applies to the traveler journey at large. For simplicity’s sake we’ll condense things into three stages: pre-stay, on-property, and post-stay.

As a marketer, you can divide each of these further into micro-moments, but as a whole these experiences are what define the guest’s perception and are an opportunity to shape the guest experience with a meaningful narrative that inspires your guest at every part of their journey.

Storytelling is, without a doubt, the most effective way to do so. Marketing jargon aside, science is on our side with this one. (Take that!) But seriously, research indicates that the brain makes little distinction between reading about and experiencing something. That’s incredibly powerful information.

Pre-stay

Long before a stay, stories serve to build the foundation of the guest’s expectations.

Instead of pushing messages about deals and discounts, tell an interesting quip about your hotel’s history, or offer a unique perspective on the destination that may intrigue a prospective traveler.

Remember, people travel to destinations, not buildings. By telling a compelling story about where your property is located, you position yourself as the facilitator of great experiences in your area. This inspires would-be guests to not only consider the destination, but also your hotel.

By operating with this mindset, two things happen. First, a good narrative will help you influence travelers in the early stages of planning, where there is considerably less noise and big opportunity to make an impact. Anywhere from 45-66% of leisure travelers are undecided or have multiple destinations in mind at the start of the travel planning process.

Second, by employing authentic stories, your hotel will differentiate itself within the market early on. Remember, there are a lot of options available to travelers and no hotel wants to become a commodity.

On-property

It’s impossible to overstate the importance the hotel plays in actualizing the experience once the guest is on property. It’s the storyboard from which the memory of the trip can take life.

As the operator, the hotel plays a fundamental role in facilitating the experience and ensuring the guest has a great story to share.

This is also the ideal time to get to know the guest. Understanding the audience means it’s easier to meet guests’ needs and provides the necessary context for crafting a unique narrative.

Combining data and storytelling allows you to gain context and present a narrative that’s true to your brand while also effective at inspiring your audience.

Post-stay

After the guest has departed, the industry-standard for communication tends to be a “thank you,” a survey, and then chasing the guest with templated marketing messaging. This typically persists until the guest opts out.

Sadly, there is rarely any effort made to infuse the highly experiential on-property experience into the messaging following the stay—and that’s a real shame. As a marketer, you can use this opportunity to build a stronger relationship and long-term loyalty with that guest.

Not only that, but it’s the perfect time to pass the storytelling torch, letting your guests now become the purveyors of an authentic narrative about your hotel. The benefits of doing so are tremendous.

With the internet being the greatest platform for social connectedness, a single person’s voice can travel farther than ever before. Plus, as there’s a lot of noise competing for fleeting attention, individuals are better able to cut through the racket, becoming a more trusted source of information than brands.

Unleash storytelling at your hotel

Together, brands and guests co-create the best dialog about your hotel. By adapting a storytelling mindset that spans the entire guest journey, hoteliers put their greatest asset to its best possible use.

Armed with this knowledge, hotels can take advantage of their role as facilitators of incredible experiences from the moment the guest discovers the property, to rekindling the highlights of their stay. Storytelling conveys memories that trigger powerful and compelling emotions.

Stories that inspire: our favorite guest moments from February

Every guest story is an opportunity for a hotel to unveil something new. Stories reach & inspire—they’re truly memorable, sometimes magical, and a lot of times, a bit of fun.

Tanque Verde Ranch — Tucson, Arizona

“My daughter has always dreamed of being a cowgirl. I brought her to Tanque Verde Ranch this summer to allow her to feel one step closer to that dream. I took this photo on our first day, after she had just completed a cow penning session and wanted to share with me her new skills. It was at this very moment that I realized that she truly felt that she had accomplished her dream. Her pride is overflowing in this shot. My favorite photo. My favorite memory. Thank you TVR️.” — Annie F.

Admire more

This priceless moment captured by Annie, a recent guest of Tanque Verde Ranch, tells a heartening story of her daughter’s dream of being a cowgirl. No stock image comes close to telling such a rich, authentic narrative of Tanque Verde Ranch.

South Seas Island Resort — Captiva, Florida

“Fishing with the little guy at the world famous Redfish Pass on the northern tip of South Seas. This is a picture and moment I’ll remember for a lifetime” — Jason F.

Experience Captiva

South Seas Island Resort is at the center of a memory that will be cherished for years to come. It’s special moments like this one that resonate with future travelers. In fact, Jason’s story alone has already led to 20 warm leads for the resort in just 2 weeks!

Hotel Wailea — Maui, Hawaii

“Beyond the stunning grounds, the incredible food, the pristine rooms, and the delicious poolside drinks, all of which I’d give 5 stars, I’d find a way to give 6 stars for the staff and customer service.

When we arrived after a whirlwind wedding week in South Carolina, we were exhausted and ready to relax. Thanks to a helpful tailwind and minimal traffic, we showed up a little earlier than expected, and were greeted with leis and huge, warm smiles.

When someone loves their job, you can tell in their demeanor, and it was clear from the start that everyone at Hotel Wailea loved their job. That says a lot about a place right off the bat. The staff suggested we head to the pool for a quite bite and a drink while they finished up with our room.

As we looked over the edge of the lobby at the 180 degree views of the ocean, we were in heaven, and as the cool breeze off the ocean hit our face, so did a wave of complete relaxation. We had just gotten here, but it already felt like home.” — Meredith A.

Explore Maui

A stunning balcony view, and even more stunning service from an all-star staff is what true hospitality is all about. No wonder Meredith and her fellow guests have introduced over 81,000 friends and relatives to the property, generating an astounding 1,305 warm leads in just 2 weeks!

Essex Resort & Spa — Essex Junction, Vermont

“We’ve celebrated my birthday at the Essex since I turned 35 and since my daughter now shares my birthday, we thought it only fitting to keep the tradition alive. Girl gotta celebrate!” — Robin V.

Show some love

The family tradition continues with a birthday celebration at Essex Resort & Spa. Not only did Robin help the resort tell a richer story, but this moment has been shared to 344 friends and relatives, leading to 15 leads in just 10 days.

One Ocean Resort & Spa — Atlantic Beach, Florida

“We love watching the sunrise from our balcony at One Ocean!” — Dr. Gary K.

Take in the view

Gary, a recent guest of One Ocean Resort & Spa, took a moment to enjoy the brilliant view, later sharing this special moment with 475 friends and relatives. In just a month he’s brought 327 to the resort’s site and generated 73 warm leads.

Hotel El Ganzo — Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico

“I enjoyed the pool and beach club very much! All of the employees were very nice. Our room was totally clean and we really appreciated the turn-down service.” — Hillary D.

Soak it in

Hotel El Ganzo is enhancing their marketing with rich, authentic content thanks to Melanie and fellow guests.

The Pines Resort — Bass Lake, California

“One of my greatest memories at Bass was rounding up everyone I could to play hide-and-seek all around the pines. We’d wait until it got dark, make teams, set boundaries and run all over the place!” — Melanie H.

Enjoy the view

The Pines Resort is at the heart of many memories for Melanie, who shared this moment from a recent getaway with friends and family. Her story has captured the hearts and minds of 1,200 future travelers and driven 387 site visitors back to a personal experience on the resort’s site—impressions more powerful than any ad.

Shawnee Inn — Delaware, Pennsylvania

“Groomed slopes! Nighttime Smore’s over a fire pit! A beautiful clear sky to see constellations! Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who took us on a hike on the Appalachian Trail! So many exclamation points because we love Shawnee!” — Cheryl M.

Discover more

Shawnee Inn is boosting revenue and telling a richer story, all while amplifying their brand with an incredible library of content.

La Casa Del Zorro — Borrego Springs, California

“Zorro never disappoints. From the amazing drinks at the Fox Den to the yoga classes to the starry nights and swims in the private casita pool, we can’t get enough of Zorro and it’s beautiful atmosphere. The perfect getaway!” — Tricia P.

Jump in

This candid poolside memory shared by Tricia gives future travelers a glimpse into all of the fun that La Casa Del Zorro has to offer. It’s stories like these that attract new audiences and capture the attention of new travelers worldwide.

Check back next month for even more. See any stories that stand out? Let us know!

Adventure back to January’s stories

A guide to visual content for hoteliers

The cliché, “an image is worth a thousand words,” actually has a lot of merit to it. Studies have shown that images communicate a lot more than words in a lot less time, while triggering emotions and being easier to remember. As the web has grown to be more visually stocked, your guests are expecting a visual experience when they interact with your brand.

There’s just one disclaimer: your images need to be relevant to travelers at every point along their purchasing journey. Google has helped hoteliers make sense of the incredibly complex traveler’s journey, organizing it into what they call “micro-moments”—when people turn to a device with intent to answer an immediate need. (Thanks, Google.)

Here’s how they break it down:

Dreaming Moments
Planning Moments
Booking Moments
Experiencing Moments

Creating content that appeals to travelers in each moment provides your hotel a massive opportunity to win their business.

Here, we’ll explore the types of visual content to serve travelers when they’re in each micro-moment described above—and you’ll be on your way to a building a library of content and a relevancy goldmine.

Dreaming Moments

Dreaming moments are when people start thinking about wanting to get away. Here’s your chance to truly inspire travelers.

According to Google, 83% of travelers say social networking, video, and photo sites are their number one source for travel inspiration. Your homepage is an excellent place to inspire travelers, as well as social media content—the advantage here being a light lift and something your hotel can start doing immediately.

Take this Instagram post from Adrift Hotel & Spa. It’s a perfect example of the type of content travelers are looking for when they’re primed to be won over:

An eye-catching photograph and the use of strategic hashtags like #LongBeachWA make this photo discoverable by travelers dreaming of getting away to the Pacific Northwest.

There are some things to keep in mind with content that’s targeted for travelers in this phase of their journey. The first is to avoid using overly branded content or making presumptive asks like “book now.”

Also, stock photos should be kicked to the curb in most phases, but especially at this moment. Authenticity matters and a canned image can easily leave an uninspiring first impression.

Planning Moments

At this point, travelers have an idea of where they want to go, but still need to make up their mind on where to stay and what to do. As a hotel, your aim is to make it on the shortlist of their top places to stay, and now it’s time to convince them you’re the best option.

Use photos to focus in on the unique selling points of your hotel, weaving in real guest stories where possible.

For Adrift, this might include sharing images of The Pickled Fish—a quaint beachfront restaurant located on the top floor—or the complimentary beach cruisers on their hotel’s web gallery.

With a quick visit to Adrift’s gallery or Facebook page, you’ll know it’s a haven for dog (and cat!) lovers. Not only does a post like this one perk the curiosity of a casual onlooker, it’s telling a richer story for the property.

Booking Moments

Yes, the moment of booking!

Here’s when traditional room photos come in handy. Feature images that are relevant to the accommodations that are being booked and ensure that these images are consistent with other areas of your website. The last thing you want someone to do at this point in their journey is feel like you’ve given them false information.

Be mindful of the amount of visual content that you use here. The goal is to get guests through the booking process, not distract them.

Experiencing Moments

Experiences are what travel is all about. These are the moments people cherish and are the ones they’ll want to relive and share with friends & family.

If a pre-stay email is part of your communication strategy, here’s the perfect opportunity to sprinkle in some richer imagery to build excitement for what your soon-to-be guests have in store. Highlight authentic guests stories, local events and businesses, and invite them to join the conversation on your social channels so they can continue to be inspired.

Once they’re on property, invite them to take part in the local community with thoughtful touch points and social shares. Here’s one from Adrift, inviting guests to visit one of their favorite suppliers—a local soap company.

The right image at the right moment can make all the difference on a traveler’s purchase decision. Relevant content in your communication with future, current and past guests is the key in capturing, nurturing and retaining lasting relationships for years to come. And that is what hospitality is all about.

Wedding stories worth rekindling

Weddings are some of the most memorable experiences for your guests and their friends who choose your hotel to celebrate. It’s a day to be shared with the people they love, and the beginning of a lifetime of moments worth rekindling.

Hotels often find themselves at the heart of these timeless moments. Couples turn to their hosts to deliver a memorable and thoughtful experience.

When guests share, it’s not only an opportunity to unveil your exceptional wedding experience from a perspective that only your guests provide. For hotels, you can convert these once-in-a-lifetime moments into lasting impact that goes well beyond the day of the event.

They said ‘Yes’

“Our Best Part was being able to be part of & celebrate in our daughter Dana Marie’s engagement! Her fiance’ Ryan F. proposed to her New Year’s Eve afternoon on the ground of Shawnee Inn” – Jennifer G.

Experience Shawnee Inn

Shawnee Inn is not only perfect for weddings, but engagements too! Jennifer shared the excitement of her daughter’s engagement with friends and family, making for some seriously good, personal introductions for the Inn.

“My girlfriend and I got engaged in Rocky Mountain National Park the day that we stayed at The Stanley. The Stanley upgraded our room at no charge and provided us with a complimentary bottle of champagne to help us celebrate!” – Lucas S.

Create memories

Lucas put the staff at The Stanley Hotel at the center of this special memory. Together with his fellow guests, The Stanley has reached the people who matter the most (to the tune of over one million in just the last year).

Moments of Matrimony

“When I was a little girl I fell in love with the Shawnee Inn and surrounding area. Skiing Shawnee Mountain, taking rafts down the Delaware, watching shows at the Shawnee Playhouse and roasting s’mores by a campfire were all highlights. I knew way back then that I wanted to get married on the big, beautiful veranda at Shawnee Inn. Many years later that dream became a reality. It was the most perfect day and even better than I could have imagined at 8 years old. The best part was sharing the magic of Shawnee with my family and friends” – Julie O.

Show some love

Julie’s childhood dreams of a magical wedding at the Shawnee Inn became reality. Shawnee Inn is attracting new audiences when guests relive their fondest memories. This special experience shared by Julie, is doing just that.

“Making a wish for a lifetime of moments like this.” – Brittney J.

Enjoy more

This candid photo shared by Brittney is the beginning of a lifetime of memories captured. Brittney’s story won first place in Royal Park’s latest photo contest, and Royal Park reaped the benefits as well, receiving over 2,000 warm introductions from this photo alone.

“I absolutely loved the decor in the lobby and the brick surrounding the outside walls! It was perfect for my bridal pictures before my wedding ceremony.” – Megan M.

Peek at the moment

Lafayette Hotel made for the perfect wedding venue for guest Megan. After a beautiful ceremony, Megan shared this unforgettable moment with hundreds of friends and relatives, reaching a new audience of future travelers for Lafayette Hotel.

“We love Tanque Verde Ranch” – Amanda K.

See more love

Tanque Verde Ranch has boosted their revenue while amplifying their brand with an incredible library of potent guest stories like this one shared by Amanda.

“We first went to the Adrift for a romantic getaway when we were dating, then returned to have our wedding there. It is such a beautiful and special place for us. A perfect getaway. We return often to reconnect and have a quiet weekend. We just love Long Beach and Adrift.” – Brandy T.

Getaway to Adrift

Adrift Hotel and Spa holds a special place in Brandy’s heart. It’s warm introductions like these that capture the hearts and minds of travelers and lead to future reservations.

“We had our daughter’s wedding at TVGR and we couldn’t be happier with the staff, the accommodations, and the views, they even provided a dramatic appearance of a small herd of deer just behind the ceremony, like a scene from a Disney movie! Her guests were blown away and several mentioned, that this was the best Wedding venue ever.” – Gary W.

Enjoy the view

An unforgettable wedding ceremony, breathtaking scenery, and exceptional staff left Gary and his family amazed. It’s no wonder he shared this special memory with hundreds of friends and relatives.

“Our magical wedding dreams come true at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa.” – Bernice & Jonathan

See the magic

This candid and intimate moment shared by Bernice & Jonathan captures the exquisite wedding experience that South Coast Winery Resort & Spa has to offer.

Here come the Newlyweds

“Arriving to our fountain view jacuzzi suite for the first time as husband and wife!” – Heather G.

Show some love to the Newlyweds

Newlywed Heather shared this honeymoon selfie of she and her hubby arriving to their fountain view jacuzzi suite at Margaritaville Island Hotel. She and her fellow guests are making introductions to travelers a degree away at a fraction of the cost of traditional marketing. Heather’s photo alone has driven over 600 introductions back to a personal experience on Margaritaville’s site.

Weddings are another opportunity for hotels to inspire future travelers through advocacy. When a guest shares their wedding story with family and friends, they bring their timeless memory to life.

These personable and heartwarming stories resonate to make for really warm introductions to your hotel, having massive reach and helping to convert inspired travelers into future guests of your hotel.

Stories that inspire: our favorite guest moments from January

Every guest story is an opportunity for a hotel to unveil something new. Stories reach & inspire—they’re truly memorable, sometimes magical, and a lot of times, a bit of fun.

Crystal Lodge — Whistler, British Columbia

“Staff were unbelievably helpful and friendly. Ski valet staff always made time to have a chat about snow conditions, weather and best runs etc. Immense hotel, immense holiday!” – David B.

Hit the slopes

Crystal Lodge is a regular on this list. Their all-star staff is constantly making headlines with their guests. In return, their guests have helped this pristine Whistler property tap into over 200,000 authentic introductions in the last year alone.

Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa — Victoria, British Columbia

“Brentwood Bay is a magical place. Nothing more perfect then a warm summer day, renting kayaks & then finishing up with lunch and relaxation at the Brentwood Bay Resort. Doesn’t get better then this!” – Alexis N.

Admire more

Alexis shared this fun moment from a trip to Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa. She and her fellow guests are helping Brentwood get introduced to travelers a degree away at a fraction of the cost of traditional marketing. Alexis alone has reached 11,000 friends and family and counting.

La Casa del Zorro – Borrego Springs, California

“I love Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and I love to stay at La Casa del Zorro when I’m visiting it. Who would have thought that such an amazing hotel would be in the middle of the park? The standards are very, very close to those maintained by the Copley’s in years past.” – Peter W.

Catch the view

This peaceful moment shared by Peter tells a candid story of the experience at La Casa del Zorro from a perspective only their guests can provide.

Caribe Royale — Orlando, Florida

“The best part of the hotel for us, is the pool area. We can sit poolside and watch the kids go down the slide, grab a drink and something to eat from there, or just relax on a float in the pool. When we get away to relax, it’s easy to do there!” – Trista S.

Make memories

Caribe Royale reaches travelers perfect for their hotel thanks to guests like Trista. She shared the favorite moment from her stay, driving over 1,100 introductions back to a personal experience on Caribe’s site.

Pacific Terrace Hotel – San Diego, California

“We travelled from Seattle for an important audition. After spending the morning worried about where we would practice, we approached the front desk and asked if there was anywhere we would be able to go. We were escorted to the Caribbean Conference room, Raul was brought in to make the temp just right, and Sophia came back with tea and honey for us. Talk about VIP treatment… We couldn’t have been happier with our stay!” – Amy H.

Explore Pacific Terrace

Pacific Terrace is attracting new audiences and capturing new travelers worldwide when guests relive their fondest moments. This captivating experience, brought to you by Amy, is doing just that.

Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague — Prague, Czech Republic

“Buddha bar hotel is a body and mind experience” – Anastasios A.

Experience Prague

Buddha-Bar Hotel is warmly introducing their hotel to a global audience before their competitors even have a chance. They’re turning warm introductions into future reservations, each and every day.

SeaVenture Pismo Beach Hotel — Pismo Beach, California

Relax a bit

For guests like Igor, SeaVenture is turning the excitement for an upcoming trip into authentic introductions. A view like this is enough to get anyone excited for an upcoming trip to Pismo Beach!

POSTMARC Hotel & Spa Suites — South Lake Tahoe, California

“Crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe” – Nicole H.

Discover more

POSTMARC Hotel & Spa Suites is boosting revenue and telling a richer story, all while amplifying their brand with an incredible library of content.

Hotel Zephyr — San Francisco, California

“At Pier 39. A beautiful walk from the hotel.” – Christine Elizabeth S.

Visit San Francisco

Hotel Zephyr is getting seriously good, personal introductions from guests like Christine. Together with her fellow guests, Hotel Zephyr has reached the people who matter most—to the tune of three-quarters-of-a-million in just the last year.

Check back next month for even more. See any stories that stand out? Let us know!

Adventure back to December’s stories

Stories that inspire: our favorite guest moments from December

Every guest story is an opportunity for a hotel to unveil something new. Stories reach & inspire—they’re truly memorable, sometimes magical, and a lot of times, a bit of fun.

Tanque Verde Ranch — Tucson, Arizona

“We had our daughter’s wedding at TVGR and we couldn’t be happier with the staff, the accommodations, and the views, they even provided a dramatic appearance of a small herd of deer just behind the ceremony, like a scene from a Disney movie! Her guests were blown away and several mentioned, that this was the best Wedding venue ever. “Best Wedding Ever”!” – Gary W.

Show some love

The staff at Tanque Verde Ranch left Gary and his family amazed after an unforgettable wedding. Not only did Gary help the ranch tell a richer story, but he’s already shared this special moment with 416 of his friends and relatives, leading to 15 leads.

Grand View Lodge — Nisswa, Minnesota

“The chance to have family time during the holidays.” – Therese S.

Admire more

The ability to spend quality time with the whole family during the holidays meant the world to Therese, who shared this moment with 639 friends and relatives. So far, she and her fellow guests have reached 15,506, and there’s still 3 months to go!

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa — Temecula, California

“The best part was enjoying the private patio at night with the stars and my family and some wine. Then again in the morning with the Hot Air Balloons, coffee, and my wife.” – Jaime R.

Explore the vineyard

Nothing beats taking time to relax during the holidays to enjoy time with family. Jamie, a recent guest of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, captured this special moment with his wife one morning on their trip. He and his fellow guests have reached 116,000 friends and family members with authentic stories since the resort went live just 4 months ago.

Red Mountain Resort — Ivins, Utah

“The hikes are always my favorite! Also love all the vegetarian food options.” – Michelle R.

Experience Utah

A peaceful hike across the deep red rock cliffs and canyons of southern Utah make for a beautiful moment captured by Michelle, a recent guest of Red Mountain Resort.

South Seas Island Resort — Captiva Island, Florida

“The best part of our experience was definitely the staff. I think the front desk staff are so authentically sweet, all the staff at the restaurants and at the pool are truly excellent at their jobs, and the cleaning staff are excellent. But most of all, Miguel was a member of your team that we loved. We met him when he assisted with helping us change rooms, but once we met, we would see him around and he always greeted us hello offered any assistance. He loves his job and it shows. We loved the Holiday Stroll. What a special event.” – Heather T.

Enjoy more

A staff at South Seas Island Resort makes all the difference for Heather and her family, even calling out a staff member by name! It’s true hospitality like this that get future travelers excited to visit South Seas Island Resort!

Crystal Lodge — Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

“Close to the action. Short walk to the gondola and restaurants. Nice atmosphere.” – Richard P.

Hit the slopes

It’s that time of the year to hit the slopes at Crystal Lodge! This special moment caught by Richard was shared with 606 friends and relatives, bringing 78 of them to the Crystal Lodge website and generating 8 warm leads in only the first week.

Adrift Hotel & Spa — Long Beach, Washington

“I spent my birthday at Adrift during December. The staff made our stay so special. Upon arriving to our room, a “happy birthday” sign hung from the wall, along with confetti, balloons and champagne. The hotel was quiet and cozy. I’ll never forget waking up and taking a walk along the beach with my dog and seeing the pinks and oranges reflected in the wet sand from the sunrise. I returned to have a complimentary hot cup of coffee in the lobby. So wonderful!” – Anna R.

Discover more

Adrift puts the love back into hospitality, treating Anna like a true superstar on her birthday getaway. With such a lasting impression made, it’s no wonder why Anna shared this moment with 431 friends and family members, drawing 60 site visitors and 9 warm leads in only the first a week.

Alyeska Resort — Girdwood, Alaska

“I always love coming to the lodge and feeling like it’s home. No matter how long I have been away.” – Stephen T.

Check out the view

Stephen, a recent guest of Alyeska Resort, took a moment to stop and enjoy the breathtaking view at Alyeska Resort, later sharing this special moment with 587 friends and relatives. In less than a week he’s brought 112 to the resort’s site and generating 14 warm leads.

Check back next month for even more. See any stories that stand out? Let us know!

Adventure back to November’s stories

Favorites from the Flip.to blog: Our top picks from 2016

2016 was an exciting twelve months here at Flip.to. We jumped headfirst into video and launched some amazing product. Here on the blog, we shared some interesting musings, too. As this year comes to a close, take a look back at a selection of just some of our favorites.

Stories that inspire: Our favorite guest moments

This monthly series featuring guest stories from hotels worldwide has become a regular favorite for our readers. We’ve fallen in love with these stories (and it seems you have, too)! We could pick any of a number of posts, but we’ll go back to August featuring the sights of summer.

See August’s Top Picks

Flip.to on the road: CHIEF Conference

The CHIEF Conference set on the pristine sands of the Caribbean was one of the highlight-worthy moments of 2016. It was a mix of great insights and great people. Read on as Ed shares his “Flip.to superlatives” after meeting some incredible industry leaders.

Meet the industry’s best

Introducing: Photo Explorer (our first video!)

It’s been a big year for us in video. We’ve covered it a few times on our blog, but there’s something special about the first.

Look back at Photo Explorer

The hotelier’s essentials for big name competition

We ❤ our friends. So when they have a chance to sit in on our blog, it’s something special. Jason Winberg joined to share a bit of his knowledge on finding the right tools to let hoteliers compete.

Open up the tool box

The election, the social media echo chamber and what it means for hotels

Authenticity matters, as does relevancy and truth in advertising. When this was made relevant in the going-ons outside of the hospitality industry, the President weighed in.

Cast your opinion

Canning spam: Relevancy, graymail, and the path to better communication for hotels

Unwanted email is something everyone can relate to. That’s why Richard Dunbar took this deep dive into defining spam, and helping hotels unearth better communication with their guests.

Learn how to can spam

Winning at experiential travel: combining data and storytelling to compel your guests

This piece was originally featured on the blog of our friends at NAVIS. We’re both passionate about data, stories and how they come together to make a big impact for hotels.

Read on

Watch now: Spark worldwide conversations with the excitement of travel

When you strike up compelling conversations with your guests across their entire guest journey, it means a richer experience for your guests, and a growing team of advocates for your hotel. Watch more in another video favorite from 2016.

Play now

Flip.to on the road: Flat Ricky’s HITEC debut

One Ricky just wasn’t enough, so Flat Ricky made his first appearance at HITEC 2016. We soon found out that he had a taste for the bayou nightlife, and the case of #MissingFlatRicky was born…

Meet Flat Ricky

What were your favorite stories from 2016? Drop us a note to let us know. In the meantime, enjoy the final hours as this year comes to a close. We look forward to kicking off 2017 in full force!

The Crane Resort taps into the power of guest storytelling to boost their bottom line with Flip.to

Caribbean mainstay widens audience to the tune of 300K in first 5 months

ORLANDO, FL — December 19, 2016 — Flip.to, the advocacy platform that helps hotels reach, inspire and convert travelers has helped amplify the marketing efforts of The Crane Resort. Just five short months since launch, the century-old Barbadian resort has been personally introduced to 300,000 travelers worldwide with the help of their guests.

“There’s no better way to learn about a travel experience than from someone you know and trust. Our guests share everything with friends and family—from their excitement about an upcoming stay to their disappointment about having to leave—all punctuated by stories of their favourite moments along the way,” noted Eboni Phillips, Marketing and Communications Manager at The Crane Resort. “With Flip.to, we now have the ability to quantify social with the power of these influential recommendations.”

Touch points throughout the traveler journey let guests share their authentic stories about the hotel to travelers worldwide. The platform earns and tracks new bookings while growing traffic, leads and tracked potential guests through a true conversion funnel. Unique to the advocacy marketing platform, Flip.to is specifically designed for hotels and travelers.

For The Crane, this has added up to incredible impact. Their reach has well-topped a quarter of a million since August, in addition to driving more than 23,000 unique site visitors, 2,100 warm leads and 21 booked room nights with the platform.

The impact is made broader by the library of curated guest stories captured through the advocacy platform—stories that reveal the property’s character from a unique point of view, including everything from its magical sense of seclusion to the famed Crane Beach.

All content carries a full legal release, so The Crane Resort may use it to enhance their own marketing. This is critical for hotels and resorts seeking to adopt a storytelling mindset to win over new travelers.

“The authentic perspective of your guests is an incredibly effective add to your content strategy. What’s important is that hotels use it to drive actionable results, sending quality traffic to compelling experiences they own,” said Danielle Fierman, Account Executive at Flip.to. “It’s there where hotels like The Crane capture warm leads, revealing the opportunity to market to these travelers directly. Since they’ve been introduced by their friends and family, these impressions are more potent than any ad.”

Phillips went on to add, “Flip.to offered us the opportunity to track and measure advocacy with a cost-effective platform that was seamlessly implemented at our resort. We’ve pushed beyond the typical offer of sun, sea and sand, instead providing personal and powerful recommendations from friends and family.”

The historic Crane Resort overlooks the famous pink sands and turquoise waters of Crane Beach—named Best Beach in the Caribbean by readers of USA Today. Guests enjoy an idyllic respite on the Southeast coast of Barbados. The property offers grand colonial styled suites featuring lush gardens, private pools and rooftop terraces, and an impressive array of world-class amenities and services including fitness facilities, spectacular cascading pools, exciting restaurants including Zagat #1 rated Zen.

To learn more about The Crane, view the stories of their recent guests, or to reserve a stay visit www.TheCrane.com or call (866) 978-5942.