What Travelers Want from Your Hotel in 2025

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What Today’s Travelers Really Want in 2025

The way travelers choose where to stay has shifted dramatically in recent years. Discounts and amenities still matter, but convenience, eco-friendly practices, online reputation, and mobile booking capabilities are just as important.

What Influences Booking Decisions

Recent studies show that the top factors driving hotel bookings include:

  • Room discounts & free night stays – still the #1 motivator.

  • Free in-room Wi-Fi – now considered an essential, not a perk.

  • Free breakfast, lobby Wi-Fi, and parking – highly valued add-ons.

  • Waterfront locations (ie: in Lake George) – our data shows this is the single most popular factor in Lake George – so if you are waterfront – FLAUNT it visually on every page of your website.

  • Specials & Discounts – consistently drive major traffic, proving travelers are hunting for value – we consistently see a high number of visits to our discounts pages on Saratoga.com

Tip for hotels & resorts: Make sure your website clearly promotes discounts, perks, and included amenities.

The Role of Reviews & Eco-Friendly Practices

  • 93% of travelers say reviews impact their booking decisions.

  • 79% say eco-friendly practices matter.

Eco-conscious travel is no longer a niche—it’s mainstream. Guests notice (and reward) things like:

  • Energy-efficient lighting

  • Towel & linen reuse programs

  • Visible sustainability commitments

Not only do these practices strengthen your reputation, but they also save money over time.

Travel Planning Behavior

  • 61% of longer vacations are booked at least two months in advance.

  • Shorter getaways are usually booked within four weeks.

  • On LakeGeorge.com and Saratoga.com, we see travel research surge in February and March, when summer planners are mapping out their vacations.

This insight means your promotions and specials should be front and center in the navigation and cross-promoted on other pages and promoted early in the year to capture planners’ attention.

The Mobile Imperative

  • 72% of travelers say mobile booking is important.

  • If your website isn’t responsive or mobile-friendly, you’re losing business.

With mobile-first travelers expecting seamless browsing and booking experiences, now is the time to upgrade your design if you haven’t already.

Quick Checklist for Hotels in 2025

  • Highlight discounts and special offers clearly on your site.

  • Showcase free amenities like Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking.

  • Encourage and respond to online reviews with QR Codes linking to review sites.

  • Promote eco-friendly practices—guests notice.

  • Ensure your site is mobile-friendly and fast for bookings.

  • Adjust promotions in February–March to target summer planners.

Final Thoughts

Travelers today are savvy, eco-conscious, and mobile-first. They want value, transparency, and convenience. By highlighting discounts, promoting sustainability, encouraging reviews, and ensuring your website is mobile-friendly, you’ll win more bookings in 2025 and beyond.

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About Sara Mannix

Sara Mannix founded Mannix in 1996 with a goal to get clients found on the web through organic search engine optimization (SEO). The company now serves over 1500 clients worldwide and employs a team of 30 specialists, operating under the tagline "Success Measured." The tagline reflects the company's focus on measurable results for every client. This multifaceted company is an industry leader, specializing in organic SEO, conversion rate optimization, SEO-friendly website design, paid advertising (PPC). Mannix Marketing has two divisions, one side is focused on lead generation for nationally competitive businesses from healthcare to boat dealers. The other side is focused on local businesses. Mannix has one of the largest portfolios of tourism and city guides in Upstate New York. These guides, (Albany.com, Saratoga.com, LakeGeorge.com, and Adirondack.net etc), reach over 10 million visitors a year. Corresponding social media profiles for the region extend this reach to millions every month.