How can hotel slippers help elevate your guest’s experience?
Hotel slippers and bathrobes – these classic amenities have long been synonymous with comfort and relaxation.
But what if we told you they hold the potential to be much more?
This article delves beyond the surface-level snuggle factor to explore how hotel slippers and bathrobes can be strategic assets for UK hoteliers, elevating the guest experience and strengthening your brand image.
1 - Use slippers and hotel bathrobes to strengthen your brand
Today's travellers crave personalisation and unique experiences.
Slippers and bathrobes, traditionally one-size-fits-all, present an opportunity to showcase your hotel's personality.
- Through material: High-end hotels can offer bathrobes and slippers made from push, high-thread count materials to their guests. Whereas family and budget hotels could opt for more durable options.
A great option for luxury hotels is the 400GSM Aspen Velour Bathrobe. This shawl collar bathrobe has the perfect pairing of a towelling absorbent inner to help guests dry, as well as a super soft velour outer to provide the ultimate comfort to your guests.
Budget and family hotels might prefer the Palm Springs Bathrobes. This is a lightweight, polycotton, kimono waffle bathrobe that is made to be durable and cosy.
- Through embroidery: Imagine plush robes embroidered with your business name, room name or a local landmark.
- Through patterns & colours: Slippers adorned with a playful pattern or colours that match your brand’s look and feel, or even your location. For example, a coastal hotel could reflect its setting by using pastel colours.
These subtle touches become brand extensions, reinforcing your identity in the guest's mind.Use slippers to elevate your hotel offerings.
2 - Use slippers to elevate your hotel offerings
Your hotel can offer slippers and bathrobes beyond the guest room. You can use them to elevate different aspects of your hotel's offerings:
- Spas: The spa is a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. Up the ante by offering guests luxurious bathrobes. The plush texture and spa-like aesthetic instantly elevate the experience.
- Conference rooms: Long conferences can be a strain on attendees. Combat fatigue and promote a more relaxed atmosphere by offering slippers. Guests can ditch their stiff shoes and slip into something comfortable during breaks or downtime. Our Beverly Hills Hotel Bathrobe is perfect for adding comfort to your conference rooms.
- Family areas: Hotels that cater to families understand the importance of keeping everyone happy. Including smaller-sized bathrobes and playful slipper designs specifically for children shows you care about their comfort too. These touches not only make them feel special but also contribute to a more relaxed and enjoyable family stay.
- Welcome amenity: Surprise guests with a pair of slippers and a chilled bottle of water upon arrival, setting a tone of thoughtful hospitality.
The Beverly Hills Hotel Slippers are ideal for this: featuring a toe band so guests can easily slip into and out of them.
- Poolside relaxation: Offer lightweight, monogrammed robes for guests lounging by the pool, adding a touch of luxury to their poolside experience.
- In-room dining: Provide slippers with turndown service, encouraging guests to indulge in a relaxed in-room dining experience.
3 - Use hotel slippers as an opportunity to showcase your sustainability
Today's travellers actively seek out hotels that prioritise sustainability. A 2023 study by Travel + Leisure revealed that 72% of travellers are willing to pay more for sustainable accommodation.
By offering eco-friendly options for slippers and bathrobes, you cater to this growing segment and demonstrate your environmental responsibility.
Choose eco-friendly materials
There's a wide variety of eco-friendly materials available for slippers and bathrobes:
- Organic Cotton: This material is natural and biodegradable, uses less water and fewer chemicals compared to conventional cotton and is soft and absorbent, offering a luxurious feel.
- Recycled Materials (Polyester from Recycled Plastic Bottles): Using this type of polyester reduces reliance on virgin plastic, offers good durability and comfort and has a lower environmental impact compared to virgin polyester.
- Plant-Based Materials (Corn Starch, Bamboo): Another organic option, these materials are biodegradable, minimising waste, made from renewable resources and are breathable.
- Linen: This well-known material is a natural and durable fibre that requires less water for cultivation compared to cotton. It also offers a luxurious and slightly textured feel.
- Tencel (Lyocell): This material is made from sustainably sourced wood pulp that’s biodegradable and compostable. It’s also soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking, making it ideal for bathrobes.
When choosing sustainably, look for:
- Blends: Combining sustainable materials like organic cotton with recycled polyester can offer a balance of comfort, durability, and environmental impact.
- Certifications: Look for certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 to ensure the sustainability claims of the materials.
Remember to communicate your eco-friendly credentials
Showcase your eco-friendly choices on your website, in your room amenities list, or with small informative tags on the slippers and robes themselves.
Educate guests about your sustainability efforts and empower them to make informed choices.
Purchase from sustainable suppliers
Your hotel slippers and bathrobes are only as sustainable as where they come from, so opt for suppliers that have eco-friendly policies.
One such supplier is Star Linen UK. We’ve achieved carbon neutrality for the second consecutive year.
This milestone was reached by reducing carbon emissions and selecting four impactful projects: promoting energy-efficient lighting in India, enhancing biodiversity and reforestation in Costa Rica, converting degraded lands to forests in Uruguay, and contributing to reforestation efforts in Australia.
These initiatives underscore Star Linen's commitment to environmental sustainability and support for global and local ecological projects. For more details, visit their announcement page here.
4 - Increase your guest perception
Studies suggest that offering amenities like slippers and bathrobes can positively impact guest perception.
A 2022 study by Cornell University School of Hotel Administration found that guests who received these amenities reported feeling more relaxed and satisfied with their stay.
This feeling of comfort translates into positive reviews, increased likelihood of returning, and potential recommendations to others.
Hotel bathrobes & slippers signal quality
Offering these amenities sends a subtle message to guests – a message of thoughtfulness and attention to detail. It suggests that your hotel prioritises their well-being and wants them to feel pampered.
This perception of added value can elevate your hotel's image and position it as a provider of a truly exceptional guest experience.
Hotel Slippers & Bathrobes give you another revenue stream
The ROI goes beyond guest perception. Consider offering high-quality bathrobes for purchase in your hotel gift shop.
Guests who develop a fondness for the luxurious feel of your bathrobes can take a piece of their comfortable stay home with them. This creates an additional revenue stream while further reinforcing your brand identity.
Tips for improving your return on investment:
- Conduct surveys: Conduct guest surveys to understand their preferences for materials and styles in slippers and bathrobes.
- Form partnerships: Partner with suppliers who offer eco-friendly and cost-effective options.
- Get promoting: Promote your sustainable practices in marketing materials and guest communications, attracting environmentally conscious travellers.
Slippers and bathrobes can be strategic tools for hoteliers, shaping guest perception, elevating your brand image, and even contributing to your bottom line.
By embracing personalisation, sustainable options, and creative use cases, these simple amenities can be transformed into powerful differentiators.
Improve Your Guest Experience with Star Linen UK
Get support to use your hotel slippers and bathrobes to enhance your guest experience.
Star Linen UK offers a luxurious range of eco-friendly and stylish options to suit every hotel's unique style.
Browse our collection of plush bathrobes and comfy slippers, and discover how these amenities can become powerful tools to enhance your guest experience and strengthen your brand.