How to Find Gen Z-Friendly Hotels

From lobbies and public spaces to dining and guest rooms, hotels are being renovated to appeal to Gen Z travelers. Here are some Gen Z-friendly hotel trends to watch.

Just as meeting and event organizers are adapting their programs to be more attractive to the latest generation of the workforce, hotels are creating environments designed to meet Gen Z’s preferences for social interaction, digital connectivity, unique experiences and affordable accommodations.

So, what makes a hotel suitable for Gen Z? Look for versatile public spaces that transition easily from coffee to cocktails (or mocktails), game rooms and playgrounds, digital sign-ups, locally sourced furniture and decor that reflect the community, and water feature backdrops that provide both ambience and sound deadening Noise and high-altitude hangouts such as rooftop bars and unique top-floor lounges.

Some feature vintage furniture to create a lived-in feel, while others feature quirky, tech-focused décor. Many bring in natural light and city views through floor-to-ceiling windows and implement colorful, cheerful designs throughout public spaces. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout public spaces and guest rooms, another plus point for a hotel that appeals to Gen Z travelers. Gen Z travelers also tend to favor colorful, bold decorative pieces, eye-catching backdrops and local artwork for Instagram-worthy photos, as well as good lighting to help make those photos pop.

The guest rooms (sometimes called bedrooms) also received some Gen Z-friendly updates. Some hotels are designing smaller, more efficiently laid out rooms and leaving closets without doors to make it easier to see what’s inside, or even replacing closets with hooks and nails on the wall where people can hang things in plain sight. Indoor fitness equipment such as yoga mats and weight machines are also suitable for Gen Z. Some hotels are making rooms feel more inviting with seating areas and kitchenettes, and many are offering voice-controlled technology assistants and IoT devices for room service ordering. Keyless entry systems and dedicated apps for interior lighting, TVs and air conditioning are also becoming popular.

You’re also likely to see more hotels offering both high-tech gear (like GoPro cameras and electric bikes) and old-school gear (like Polaroid cameras) for young retro-loving travelers.

Gen Z travelers also want a variety of options when it comes to snacks, so hotels are adding multiple food and beverage outlets in every budget range, many of which are likely to offer local favorites and “instagram-worthy” dishes. Healthy and organic food is also a favorite among Generation Z, so many hotels are incorporating health-conscious menus and eco-friendly, local and ethical ingredients into their restaurant selections. Others are partnering with local restaurants to facilitate delivery to hotels, while others are offering “grab-and-go” cafes with flexible all-day options combined with app-based ordering and contactless payment options.

Where can you see some of these features in action? Several new brands have been launched specifically to target Gen Z travelers, including Ying’nFlo, part of Langham Hospitality Group. Launching for the first time in Hong Kong in 2022, the hotels include smartphone apps for room control and services, flexible function spaces, Insta-worthy décor, as well as bike-sharing services and retro tabletop games.

Moxy by Marriott is another brand focused on Gen Z. The hotel offers stylish industrial design, friendly service and check-in at the bar. Launched in 2016, Tru by Hilton’s rooms are compact (228 square feet) with platform beds and luggage “landing areas” instead of luggage storage. Other brands targeting Millennials and Gen Z include Canopy by Hilton, Tempo by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Aloft by Marriott and Even Hotels by IHG.

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