2024 Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Not in the Restaurant, Bar, and Hotel Industry

From self-care centered stays and tailored room amenities to plant-powered menus and servers who know what your guests favorite cocktails are before they do, 2024’s hottest hospitality trends are all about hyper-personalized experiences, emerging technologies, and self care. 

Stay on top of the hospitality industry with these trends and insights on the year ahead!

Elevate Self-Care & Wellness to New Heights

2024 is the year where self-care takes center stage in hospitality. From health-focused amenities and menus to wellness-inspired services, hotels and restaurants are catering to guests who want to feel good inside and out. Whether they’re looking for a spa getaway or a plant-based feast, guests will prioritize their well-being when choosing where to go this year.

For Hotels and Resorts

We’ll see hotels and resorts embracing the wellness trend by offering improved fitness centers and spa services. Here are some ideas to turn your venue into a trendsetting wellness retreat:

• Expanded Fitness Amenities: Equip your space with gym facilities or partner with local fitness centers to provide guest access. You can also offer outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or yoga in the park, and provide e-bike rentals or collaborate with local businesses in that niche.
• Create Relaxation Zones: Designate areas for meditation and quiet reflection, offering a tranquil escape within your establishment. You can also provide in-room yoga mats yoga classes, on-demand yoga classes and guided meditation sessions, and aromatherapy products.
• Implement Spa Services: Collaborate with local spas to offer treatments like massages and facials, or redesign of your restaurant or hotel bathrooms to create a spa-like atmosphere.

For Bars and Restaurants

Whether it’s for health, environmental, or social reasons, diners are looking for healthier options featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Here are some of the trends that will shape the restaurant industry in the coming year:

• Plant-Based Menus: Plant-based meals are taking over the menus, offering delicious and creative options that forego animal based proteins. From jackfruit tacos and cauliflower steaks to colorful veggie bowls, this is the year to show your patrons that plant-based food is anything but boring.
• Kid-Friendly Fare: Give your kids’ menu a makeover. Replace the chicken fingers and fries, with healthier options such as veggie burgers, fruit salads, mini pizzas, and pasta. 
• Chef’s Choice: Sometimes, the best choice is no choice. Consider opting for a no-menu approach, where the chef creates a daily menu made from the finest and freshest ingredients of the day.
• Molecular Marvels & Mindful Mocktails: Infuse your cocktail menu with sensory explosions like edible flowers frozen into ice cubes, add unexpected depth with pops of umami, and offer non-alcoholic botanical blends complete with adaptogens and superfoods.

As you shift your offerings to a health-focused approach, be sure to use storytelling in your marketing to share your focus on wellness and what makes your offerings unique. For example, highlight your wellness focused amenities, the sources of your local and seasonal foods, and the stories of your partners and suppliers on social media.

Personalized Service is the Ultimate Way to Wow Your Guests

In 2024, going above and beyond to make each guest feel special and valued with personalized service is what will set you apart from the competition. There’s more to it than knowing your guest’s name or preferences. It’s about anticipating their needs and exceeding their expectations and it’s about making every interaction count, from the moment they book to the moment they leave.

That may sound like a tall order, but the latest technology makes it easier to elevate the guest experience at your hotel or restaurant by helping you to tailor your offerings and interactions to each guest’s preferences and needs. 

Here’s how use tech as your secret weapon: 

• Use technologies like OpenTable and SevenRooms to collect data and analyze guest information, such as their booking history, feedback, preferences, and behavior. Use this data to tailor your offerings, such as room amenities, menu recommendations, or special offers.
• Surprise your guests with unexpected gestures, such as a handwritten note, or perhaps a complimentary drink or dessert that you’ll know they’ll love based on their past purchases.
• Use tech to ask for and act on guest feedback, both during and after their visit. Use feedback to improve your service, address any issues, and show your guests that you care about their opinions and experiences.
• Communicate with your guests in a personalized and timely manner, using their preferred channels and language. This allows you to build rapport, confirm details, offer assistance, and thank them for choosing you.

Remember, it’s not just about the data! It’s about empowering your staff to go the extra mile. And, most of all, it’s about creating guest-centered experiences that make them feel special and connected.

Empowering Hospitality Teams

The COVID era has shown us the incredible resilience and innovation of hospitality businesses in overcoming challenges.

While labor shortages are expected to persist in 2024, smart businesses will persevere by cultivating a thriving workforce that’s founded on a culture of appreciation. They’ll set their focus on employee development to attract and retain passionate professionals, all while setting new standards for creating a positive and fulfilling work environment. 

Don’t just expect your staff to be attentive. Give them the skills they need with continuing education then, support them with the tools, authority, and incentives to deliver amazing service.

Contactless Convenience

Speaking of technology, in 2024, the hospitality industry will lean into contactless and digital services that cater to the needs of their guests. Whether it’s online ordering, mobile check-in, smart room features, or virtual menus, these services will provide convenience, safety, and flexibility for the guests.

Contactless Solutions for Restaurants

• Online Ordering: If you offer takeout, make it easy for your customers to order food from your website or app, and offer delivery or curbside pickup options to reach a wider audience and increase your sales. 
• Contactless Payment: Reduce the need for physical contact and cash handling by accepting contactless payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also use digital receipts and invoices to streamline the payment process and save paper. 
• Virtual Menus: Instead of handing out printed menus, use QR codes or NFC tags to direct your customers to your online menu, where they can browse your offerings and place their orders. Just be sure to have some printed menus handy in case someone requests them. You can also use digital signage or tablets to display your menu and specials.

Contactless Features for Hotels

• Mobile Check-In and Check-Out: Allow your guests to check-in and check-out from their smartphones, without having to visit the front desk or handle any paperwork. You can also use digital keys or smart locks to enable your guests to access their rooms with their phones. 
• Smart Room Features: Enhance your guests’ experience by providing smart room features that they can control from their phones or voice assistants. For example, you can let them adjust the temperature, lighting, curtains, TV, and music with a simple tap or command. 
• Digital Concierge: Provide your guests with a digital concierge service that they can access from their phones or tablets. You can offer personalized recommendations, booking services, local information, and 24/7 support, all through a chatbot or a live agent.

As contactless services become essential for the hospitality industry, RMD Group is seeing more businesses reach out to us for a consultation on how to integrate contactless technologies with their existing systems. With contactless solutions, our clients are able to offer their guests a better experience, while also increasing their efficiency and profitability. 

So, You Want to Be a Trendsetter? Let RMD Group Help.

2024 is the year to embrace self-care, personalization, and innovation in the hospitality industry. By offering wellness-focused amenities and menus, embracing the latest tech, and offering tailored experiences, you can give your brand a boost, improve customer loyalty, and increase your profitability. 

RMD Group has the insights, experience, and solutions to help you stay on top of the industry trends and achieve your goals. Contact us today and let us help you make 2024 your best year yet!