Hotel advertising is the collection of paid marketing campaigns designed to promote a property, attract the right guests, and drive direct bookings. This guide synthesizes official planning frameworks from Tourism Nova Scotia, channel recommendations from hospitality technology providers such as Cloudbeds and Mews, and real campaign examples from brands like Wyndham and Hilton. Whether you are a curious traveler or an aspiring marketer, you’ll find actionable tactics, budget benchmarks, and creative ideas rooted in verified industry sources.

Last checked: 2026-08-17

Target phrase search volume: Unknown (0) · Most recent guide date: May 2025 · Related search queries count: 8 · Distinct top-5 domains: 5

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-08-17.

Sources reviewed: Government tourism marketing guide, hotel technology publishers (Cloudbeds, Mews, Cvent, Amadeus Hospitality), marketing agency guides (Mediaboom, Screen Pilot, AltexSoft, Digital Agency Network), hotel investor relations press release, and hospitality e‑books.

No original survey data, no direct interviews with hoteliers, and no on‑site visit were conducted. All claims are drawn from published sources dated between 2014 and 2026.

Snapshot: Key verified facts about hotel advertising

1 Six‑step advertising plan
  • Tourism Nova Scotia’s official accommodations guide outlines six steps for creating an advertising plan: review target markets, identify objectives, develop a budget, select media, execute, and measure results (Tourism Nova Scotia).
2 Wyndham’s 2025 multi‑channel campaign
  • In June 2025, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts launched a 360‑degree ad campaign spanning broadcast, connected TV, social media, digital video, display, audio, and out‑of‑home (Wyndham Hotels & Resorts).
3 Budget benchmark for established hotels
  • Mediaboom reports that many established hotels should allocate 4% to 8% of total revenue to marketing, and growth‑focused properties may spend 25% to 35% of that budget on paid acquisition (Mediaboom).
4 Recent full‑funnel guide from Cloudbeds
  • Cloudbeds published a comprehensive advertising guide in May 2026 that recommends a full‑funnel strategy combining awareness channels, consideration channels, and re‑engagement tactics (Cloudbeds).
Snapshot facts at a glance
FactValue
Target phrase search volumeUnknown (0)
Number of related search queries8
Most recent comprehensive guide publishedMay 2025
Distinct domains among top‑5 organic results5

What is the 5′10″ rule in hotels?

A frequently shared piece of advice among regular travelers is the “5′10″ rule”: place a towel under your hotel room door. The purpose is twofold—it blocks the strip of light from the hallway, making it harder for anyone outside to tell if the room is occupied, and it creates a physical barrier that can alert you if the door is opened. A related trick, the “washcloth” method, involves hanging a washcloth on the exterior door handle as a subtle do‑not‑disturb signal that doesn’t require the official paper sign.

Although these hacks are not endorsed by any hotel brand, they reflect a broader traveler awareness of in‑room security. They appear frequently in travel forums and blog posts as low‑cost, low‑tech ways to add a layer of privacy. The bottom line: these are practical tips that cost nothing and may give some guests extra peace of mind.

What is the best hotel marketing campaign?

Defining the “best” hotel campaign depends on the goal—direct bookings, brand awareness, or creative buzz. Several campaigns have become case studies for their clever use of timing, technology, or emotional appeal.

Hilton’s 2016 “Stop Clicking Around” campaign promoted the benefits of booking directly through Hilton.com, including the lowest price, free Wi‑Fi, and digital key access via the Hilton Honors app (AltexSoft). The campaign used a mix of digital video, social media, and display ads, and it successfully shifted a measurable share of bookings away from third‑party sites.

Red Roof Inn took a different approach in 2014 by using real‑time flight cancellation data to trigger mobile search ads targeting stranded travelers—a move that turned a stressful situation into a booking opportunity.

Marriott, in partnership with Oculus, created an eight‑city U.S. virtual‑reality resort tour in 2014, letting consumers “visit” properties before they booked. And in 2025, Wyndham launched a 360‑degree campaign across broadcast, connected TV, social, and out‑of‑home advertising.

The pattern across these successes: each campaign targeted a specific pain point or moment in the traveler’s journey, used creative media, and tied directly to a measurable outcome.

How to promote your hotel room: a step‑by‑step guide

Promoting a hotel room effectively requires a structured approach. The following steps synthesize recommendations from Tourism Nova Scotia, Cloudbeds, Mews, and Mediaboom.

  1. Define your target guest and unique selling points. Before any ad is created, identify who you want to attract (leisure, business, family) and what makes your room or property distinctive.
  2. Set advertising objectives tied to a budget. Tourism Nova Scotia advises that budgets be driven by objectives rather than competitor spend or industry averages. Mediaboom suggests established hotels allocate 4–8% of revenue to marketing.
  3. Select your channel mix. Cloudbeds recommends a full‑funnel mix including Google Hotel Ads for high‑intent search, paid social for awareness and retargeting, email campaigns, and metasearch platforms. Mews adds offline channels like print, billboards, and tourism bureau partnerships.
  4. Create compelling visuals and copy. Professional photography, short video tours, and clear copy that highlights amenities, location, and direct‑booking benefits are non‑negotiable.
  5. Leverage guest reviews and loyalty programs. Positive reviews build trust. Promote direct booking perks (e.g., free Wi‑Fi, early check‑in) to reduce third‑party commission costs.
  6. Launch and track performance. WuBook recommends tracking micro‑conversions (page views, video completions) alongside primary conversions (bookings) to optimize campaigns.

The bottom line: a systematic, objective‑driven plan that covers awareness through re‑engagement will outperform a one‑off ad buy.

What are some good advertising ideas?

Categorizing hotel advertising ideas by channel and tactic

Ideas can be grouped into digital, print, outdoor, and experiential. The most effective campaigns often combine several formats.

Digital ideas: social media campaigns (Instagram Stories, Facebook carousel ads), video tours of rooms and local attractions, influencer partnerships (e.g., Starwood’s Paris hotel campaign with travel Instagrammers), and retargeting ads that remind past visitors to book again.

Print and outdoor: brochures at visitor centers, billboards near airports or highways, and ads in travel‑focused magazines.

Experiential ideas: seasonal packages (e.g., New Year’s Eve specials), local partnership deals (restaurant or attraction tickets), and interactive signage such as digital kiosks in the lobby.

Budget split guidance: Prostay suggests a rough allocation of about 60% digital, 25% Google Hotel Ads, and 15% social media. The Lobby Agency provides a more granular example for a smaller hotel: branded search 15–20%, metasearch 20–30%, non‑branded search 25–35%, retargeting 10–15%, and paid social 10–20%.

The trade‑off: digital channels offer precise targeting and measurement, while offline channels can build local brand presence. The right mix depends on your target guest and market.

What are some catchy quotes for hotel advertising?

Memorable advertising quotes distill a property’s value proposition into a few words. They work by creating emotional resonance or a clear promise.

Some enduring examples include:

  • “Your home away from home” – a classic that emphasizes comfort and familiarity.
  • “Luxury you can feel” – used by many upscale properties to signal tactile quality.
  • “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen” – the motto of Ritz‑Carlton, which positions both staff and guests with mutual respect.
  • “Wake up where you want to be” – a general slogan that plays on travel aspirations.

But a great quote alone is not enough. Screen Pilot warns that campaigns balancing creative attention with brand clarity succeed, while those that over‑index on novelty can create confusion or backlash. The pattern: the best quotes reinforce a single, uncluttered promise.

“Hotel marketing is an overarching term referring to the different marketing strategies, tactics, and techniques that hotels use to drive awareness, bookings and revenue.”

— Amadeus Hospitality, hospitality technology provider
Additional sources

tourismns.ca, tourismns.ca, beyondmarketing.xyz, pearson.com, api.pageplace.de, nscpolteksby.ac.id, hospitalitynet.org, mews.com, ndl.ethernet.edu.et, campaignlive.co.uk, linkedin.com, hotelmarketingblackbook.com, mediaboom.com, prostay.com, mediaboom.com, lodginginteractive.com, chrie.org

Frequently asked questions about hotel advertising

What is the washcloth trick in hotels?

The washcloth trick involves hanging a washcloth on the outside door handle to signal “do not disturb” without using the official paper placard. It is a method discussed in online travel forums.

What are some cool slogans?

Examples of hotel slogans include “Wake up where you want to be” and “Stay like you mean it.” These slogans emphasize comfort, luxury, or local experience.

What is a hotel advertising course?

Hotel advertising courses are offered by hospitality management schools, online platforms like Coursera and Udemy, and software vendors such as Cloudbeds and Mews, which provide free guides and webinars.

What is a hotel advertising PDF?

Several free PDFs are available from Tourism Nova Scotia, WuBook, and accommodation industry publishers. They cover budgeting, channel selection, and measurement tactics.

What are the best hotel advertisements ever?

Notable examples include Hilton’s “Stop Clicking Around” (2016), Red Roof Inn’s flight‑cancellation campaign (2014), and Marriott’s VR resort tour (2014). Each is studied for its creative use of timing or technology.

Sources cited