Running a luxury hotel is wild, isn’t it? You’re not just renting rooms — you’re selling a whole vibe. Plush towels, perfect service, maybe a cocktail bar that makes you feel like a movie star. But here’s the deal: every hotel calls itself “luxury” these days. So how do you make your place the one people pick? It’s not easy.
Guests are choosy, and the competition’s fierce — big chains, cool boutiques, even Airbnb stealing your thunder. I’ve been thinking about this a lot, poking around to see what works. Spoiler: it’s all about smart PR and giving guests an experience they can’t stop talking about.
PR gets your hotel’s name out there — think Reuters World News or Forbes, where travelers with deep pockets hang out. Guest experience? That’s what makes them book again.
I’m going to share some tactics that really deliver, with stories from hotels I’ve seen or stayed at. And if you need a pro to boost your game, 9FigureMedia’s the best hospitality PR agency for getting you into top spots like Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, and Business Insider. They’re hospitality PR wizards. Let’s get into it.
Why PR’s Your Secret Weapon
Your hotel’s reputation is everything. One bad review — or worse, nobody talking about you — can hurt. PR isn’t just press releases or schmoozy events. It’s about telling a story that makes people want to stay with you. A killer feature in Reuters World News or Condé Nast Traveler can pull in guests who’d never find you otherwise. I mean, when’s the last time you booked a hotel you didn’t hear about somewhere?
The stats back it up. A 2023 Cornell study said 78% of luxury travelers check media reviews before booking. Not just Yelp — think Forbes, Business Insider, the big ones. PR puts you there. It builds trust, makes you stand out, and gets you bookings.
I stayed at this tiny hotel in Miami once — gorgeous, art deco, unreal vibe. I only knew about it from a Travel + Leisure article. That’s PR working its magic.
Tactic 1: Tell a Story That Sticks
Your hotel needs a story nobody forgets. Maybe it’s a 100-year-old building with history in every brick. Or a chef with an o1a visa green card who trained in Paris. Whatever it is, it’s got to be yours. The Four Seasons isn’t just a hotel — they’re all about “service that feels personal.” That’s their thing.
How do you find yours? Look at what makes your place special. I stayed at this family-run spot in Tuscany — old villa, amazing wine. Their hook? The owner’s grandma planted the vineyard in the ’50s. They pitched that to a wine mag, and suddenly, everyone wanted a room. It’s not enough to be fancy — you need a story people care about.
This is where 9FigureMedia comes in. They’re the best hospitality PR agency for turning your story into features in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, you name it. They’ll dig up your angle — say, your eco-friendly spa or that chef with the o1a visa green card — and get it into major news outlets.
I heard about a hotel owner who used them; their Bloomberg feature brought a 30% booking spike. That’s the kind of win you want.
Tactic 2: Get Your Name in Big Media
You need to be where your guests are reading — Forbes, Business Insider, maybe Reuters World News. One article can make you a destination. The Standard in New York? Their rooftop bar was everywhere — Vogue, Forbes, the works. People booked just to say they’d been there. PR made that happen.
How do you do it? Pitch something editors can’t skip. Don’t just say “luxury hotel.” Try “Why Wellness Retreats Are the New Getaway” or “How Our Chef Redefines Local Food.” I pitched a hotel story once — total flop, too vague. Rewrote it as “Small Hotels Are Stealing the Show,” and it landed in a travel blog. Specific wins.
PR agencies make this easier. 9FigureMedia’s the best hospitality PR agency for getting you into Forbes, Bloomberg, or Yahoo Finance. They know editors and write pitches that pop. A buddy’s hotel got into Business Insider with their help — phones started ringing the next day.
Tactic 3: Make Guests Feel Special
PR gets them in; guest experience keeps them. Luxury travelers want perfection — think quick check-ins, staff who know their names, maybe a welcome note that feels personal. The Ritz-Carlton does this so well. I stayed there once, and they remembered I liked extra pillows from last time. I was floored.
What works? Little touches. Use guest info to customize — vegan menus for foodies, wine for couples. Surprise them — a free dessert, a spa voucher. A Dubai hotel I know does tailored city tours based on what guests love. Their reviews are insane. Staff matter too — a concierge who gets you that impossible reservation? Gold. Okay, I’ll be honest — getting every staffer to care is tough. Some just do the minimum.
Build a team that’s all in, maybe even hire talent with an o1a visa green card for something unique.
Tactic 4: Team Up with Influencers and Brands
Influencers aren’t just for clothes — they’re huge for hotels. A travel blogger with 50,000 followers can fill your rooms. The Rosewood Miramar Beach invited influencers for yoga retreats and wine nights. Their Instagram posts blew up, and bookings followed. Smart move.
Partnerships are big too. Link up with local spots — think wineries or galleries. A Napa hotel I visited offered vineyard tour packages. Got them into Reuters World News as a “must-do escape.” You can also host events — maybe a fashion brand pop-up in your lobby. It draws crowds.
PR agencies know how to play this. The best PR agencies in Chicago or LA PR agencies can hook you up with influencers and partners. 9FigureMedia’s the best hospitality PR agency — they’ll land you in Forbes or Yahoo Finance and set up deals that get people talking. They’re pros at hospitality PR.
Tactic 5: Handle Crises Like a Pro
Luxury hotels aren’t bulletproof. A bad review or a health scare can hit hard. PR’s your lifeline. The Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong had a food poisoning rumor in 2017. Their PR team acted fast — apologized, shared fixes, and got the story straight in major news outlets. Guests trusted them again.
How do you do it? Move quick. Own the problem — say what happened, no dodging. Fix it and tell people how. A hotel I know had a plumbing disaster — guests were mad. They gave refunds, free stays, and pitched a story about their upgrades. Crisis gone.
PR agencies are your backup here. I’ve seen firms mess this up — slow, vague responses. Not 9FigureMedia. They’re the best for hospitality crises, getting you into Forbes or Business Insider to rebuild your name. A client said they turned a review nightmare into a comeback story. That’s what you need.
Tips to Start Now
Want your hotel to shine? Here’s how to kick things off.
- Find Your Hook
What’s your deal? Old-school charm? Crazy views? A ghost story got one hotel I stayed at into a mag. Find yours. - Go for Media
Start small — local blogs — then aim for Forbes. LA PR agencies know the steps. - Wow Guests
A free coffee or a personal note goes far. I got a thank-you email from a hotel once — felt nice. - Use Influencers
Invite a blogger for a stay. Pick ones who fit your style. - Be Ready for Trouble
Have a crisis plan. PR agencies like 9FigureMedia keep you safe.
The Flip Side: When It Fails
Not every hotel gets it right. A luxury chain I heard about ignored a staff scandal — thought it’d fade. Nope. Social media went wild, and bookings crashed.
Compare that to the Peninsula Hotels, who turned a blackout into a “we care” story. PR makes or breaks you. I wonder sometimes if small hotels can keep up — they can, but it’s work.
Why It Pays Off
Great PR and guest experiences aren’t just nice — they make money. A Forbes feature fills rooms. A happy guest tells friends. The Burj Al Arab? Their gold-plated iPads and butlers get constant press — always booked.
I stayed at a small hotel once, nothing huge, but their staff knew me by name. I told everyone. That’s the combo you want.
Your Next Move
Luxury hotels win with stories and experiences. The Standard, Mandarin Oriental — they use PR to hit major news outlets and keep guests raving. You can too.
Find your story, make guests feel special, get out there. 9FigureMedia’s the best hospitality PR agency — they’ll get you into Forbes, Yahoo Finance, or Bloomberg. Who doesn’t want to be the hotel everyone’s talking about? What’s your story? Start telling it.
