How to Use Instagram Stories for Hotels

If you're looking to boost your hotel's visibility and increase direct bookings, then Instagram marketing for hotels is essential. Instagram is a highly visual platform that engages over a billion users monthly. This guide will help you use Instagram Stories to attract more guests to your property.

Key points on Instagram marketing for hotels:

• Visual appeal: Share stunning photos and videos of your hotel's amenities and local attractions.
• User engagement: Interact with your audience through comments, likes, and direct messages.
• Brand awareness: Use consistent branding and storytelling to create a memorable online presence.

Why does this matter? Visual platforms like Instagram are perfect for showcasing what your hotel offers, from comfortable rooms to nearby destinations. With 40% of consumers under 33 prioritizing “Instagramability” when choosing a travel destination, having an engaging Instagram presence is critical.

I'm Shahar Rubin, founder of Sail. My journey from tech to hotel marketing has taught me the power of targeted campaigns. With years of hands-on experience, I've seen how effective Instagram marketing for hotels can lift brand visibility and boost direct bookings. Let's explore how you can leverage Instagram Stories to transform your hotel's online presence.

Why Instagram Stories are Essential for Hotels

Instagram Stories have become an indispensable tool for hotels looking to improve their online presence and drive direct bookings. Here's why:

Visual Platform

Instagram is a highly visual platform, making it ideal for showcasing your hotel's unique features. Instagram Stories offer a dynamic way to share:

• High-quality images and videos: Highlight your rooms, amenities, and local attractions.
• Behind-the-scenes content: Give followers a glimpse of the daily operations and special events at your hotel.

This visual storytelling captures attention and makes your hotel more appealing to potential guests.

User Engagement

Instagram Stories are designed to be interactive, which boosts user engagement. You can:

• Run polls and ask questions: Encourage followers to interact with your content.
• Use stickers and GIFs: Make your stories more fun and engaging.
• Share user-generated content: Repost photos and videos from guests who tag your hotel.

Engagement is crucial because it builds a community around your brand and increases the likelihood of followers booking a stay.

Brand Storytelling

Stories provide a platform for brand storytelling. Use them to:

• Tell your hotel's story: Share the history, values, and unique selling points of your property.
• Showcase your team: Introduce your staff and highlight their roles.
• Promote special events: Announce upcoming events, promotions, and seasonal offers.

Effective storytelling helps create an emotional connection with your audience, making your hotel more memorable.

Direct Bookings

Instagram Stories can directly drive bookings through:

• Swipe-up feature: Link directly to your booking page or special offers (available for accounts with 10k+ followers).
• Call-to-action buttons: Use phrases like "Book Now" or "Learn More" to guide users.
• Promotions and discounts: Offer exclusive deals for followers who book through Instagram.

By making it easy for users to book directly from Instagram, you can increase your direct bookings and reduce reliance on third-party booking platforms.

Incorporating Instagram Stories into your hotel's marketing strategy is not just about sharing beautiful images; it's about creating a compelling narrative that engages users and drives them to book directly with you.

Next, let’s explore how to set up your hotel’s Instagram Business Profile effectively.

Setting Up Your Hotel's Instagram Business Profile

Before diving into Instagram marketing for hotels, set up your hotel's Instagram Business Profile correctly. This setup will provide access to valuable tools and insights that can help you tailor your strategy and maximize your reach.

Business Profile Setup

1. Create an Instagram Account:

• Download the Instagram app and sign up using your hotel’s email address.
• Choose a username that closely matches your hotel’s name for easy recognition.

2. Switch to a Business Profile:

• Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner.
• Select Settings, then tap Account.
• Scroll down and choose Switch to Professional Account, followed by Business.

3. Fill Out Business Information:

• Add your hotel’s contact details, including phone number, email, and physical address. This information will be publicly visible on your profile.
• Ensure your profile photo is clear and recognizable—typically, your hotel’s logo works best.

Contact Details

Having complete and accurate contact details is crucial for potential guests to reach out easily. Make sure to:

• Include a direct link to your booking engine or website in your bio.
• Add your physical address so guests can find your location easily.
• Provide a contact email and phone number to facilitate direct inquiries.

Instagram Insights

Switching to a business profile open ups Instagram Insights, a powerful tool that provides data on:

• Follower demographics: Understand the age, gender, and location of your audience.
• Engagement metrics: Track likes, comments, shares, and saves.
• Content performance: See which posts and stories perform best.

These insights help you tailor your content to better meet the preferences and behaviors of your audience.

Facebook Integration

Integrating your Instagram Business Profile with your Facebook page improves cross-platform cohesion and expands your reach. Here’s how to do it:

• Connect to a Facebook Page:

  • Instagram will prompt you to connect to a Facebook business page during the setup process.
  • If you don’t have a Facebook page, you can create one directly through Instagram.

• Benefits of Integration:

  • Unified messaging: Manage messages from both platforms in one place.
  • Cross-posting: Share content seamlessly between Instagram and Facebook.
  • Ad management: Run and track ad campaigns across both platforms.

By following these steps, you’re setting up a strong foundation for your hotel's Instagram marketing strategy. A well-optimized business profile not only makes your hotel look professional but also makes it easier for potential guests to find and engage with you.

Next, let’s dive into creating engaging Instagram Stories that captivate your audience.

Creating Engaging Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a powerful tool for hotels to connect with their audience in a fun and engaging way. By using high-quality images and videos, storytelling, user-generated content, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, you can create compelling Stories that resonate with potential guests.

High-Quality Images

Images are the backbone of Instagram Stories. Ensure your photos are high-resolution and visually appealing. Show off your hotel's best features, such as:

• Luxurious rooms: Highlight the comfort and style of your accommodations.
• Stunning views: Capture the scenic beauty visible from your property.
• Amenities: Showcase your pool, spa, or dining areas.

Example: Share a beautiful sunset view from your rooftop bar with minimal text to let the image speak for itself.

Videos

Videos are even more engaging than photos. Use them to give your audience a more dynamic look at your hotel. Ideas for videos include:

• Virtual tours: Walkthroughs of your rooms and facilities.
• Guest experiences: Short clips of guests enjoying their stay.
• Event highlights: Show snippets from weddings, conferences, or parties hosted at your hotel.

Tip: Keep videos short and to the point, ideally under 15 seconds per clip.

Storytelling

Storytelling is key to connecting emotionally with your audience. Use Instagram Stories to tell the story of your hotel and its unique character.

• History: Share interesting facts or historical tidbits about your hotel.
• Behind-the-scenes: Show the effort that goes into making a guest’s stay perfect.
• Staff spotlights: Introduce your team members to put a face to the service.

Example: Share a series of Stories showing the preparation for a big event, from setting up decorations to the final reveal.

User-Generated Content

Encourage guests to share their own photos and videos from their stay and repost these on your Stories. User-generated content builds trust and authenticity.

• Guest photos: Repost pictures guests tag you in, especially those highlighting unique experiences.
• Reviews: Share positive reviews and testimonials in your Stories.

Tip: Always ask for permission before sharing user-generated content.

Behind-the-Scenes

People love seeing what goes on behind the scenes. It makes your hotel feel more personal and relatable.

• Daily operations: Show snippets of daily tasks like housekeeping or kitchen prep.
• Special preparations: Share how you prepare for special events or holidays.
• Staff interactions: Highlight the camaraderie among your staff.

Example: Post a Story of your chef preparing a signature dish, from ingredient selection to the final plating.

By integrating these elements into your Instagram Stories, you can create engaging content that not only showcases your hotel but also builds a deeper connection with your audience.

Next, we’ll explore how to leverage Instagram Stories features to further improve your hotel's online presence.

Leveraging Instagram Stories Features

Instagram Stories offer a variety of features that can help hotels engage with their audience in creative and interactive ways. Here's how to make the most of them:

Highlights

Highlights allow you to keep your best Stories visible on your profile permanently. This is perfect for showcasing evergreen content like:

• Virtual tours: Keep a highlight of your best rooms, amenities, and facilities.
• Guest reviews: Create a highlight reel of positive guest testimonials.
• Events: Showcase past events, weddings, or conferences.

Tip: Organize highlights with clear, attractive covers to make them easy to steer.

Swipe-Up Feature

The swipe-up feature is a game-changer for driving traffic. If your account has over 10,000 followers, you can add a swipe-up link to your Stories.

• Promotions: Link directly to special offers or booking pages.
• Blog posts: Share travel guides or blog posts about your destination.
• New content: Promote new YouTube videos or Facebook posts.

Example: Post a Story about a special weekend getaway package and add a swipe-up link to book directly.

Polls

Polls are a fun way to engage your audience and gather feedback. Use them to:

• Gauge interest: Ask followers if they prefer beachside or city views.
• Get opinions: Find out which amenities guests value most.
• Engage guests: Ask fun questions like "What's your favorite cocktail at our bar?"

Tip: Keep polls simple and visually appealing to encourage participation.

Questions

The questions feature allows followers to submit questions or comments. This is great for:

• Q&A sessions: Host live Q&As with your staff or special guests.
• Feedback: Ask for suggestions on how to improve guest experience.
• Engagement: Encourage followers to share their favorite memories from their stay.

Example: Use the questions feature to let followers ask your chef about their favorite dishes.

Countdowns

Countdowns build excitement for upcoming events or promotions. Use them to:

• Promote events: Count down to a special event or holiday celebration at your hotel.
• Launch offers: Create anticipation for a new package or discount.
• Special dates: Highlight important dates like your hotel's anniversary.

Tip: Use eye-catching graphics and clear text to make your countdowns stand out.

By leveraging these Instagram Stories features, hotels can create interactive and engaging content that keeps followers interested and eager to learn more. Next, we'll dive into tips for creating effective Instagram Story content.

Tips for Effective Instagram Story Content

Creating engaging Instagram Stories is key to successful Instagram marketing for hotels. Here are some practical tips to make your Stories stand out:

Hashtags

Hashtags make your content findable. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to reach a broader audience.

• Popular hashtags: #Travel, #LuxuryHotels, #Vacation
• Niche hashtags: #BoutiqueHotel, #HotelDeals, #HotelLife

Tip: Use around 3-5 relevant hashtags per Story to avoid clutter.

Location Tags

Adding a location tag can increase engagement by making your Stories searchable for users interested in that area.

• Local attractions: Tag nearby landmarks or popular spots.
• Events: Tag the location of events hosted at your hotel.

Example: Tagging your city or a well-known local attraction can boost visibility.

Filters

Filters improve the visual appeal of your Stories. Use them to maintain a consistent aesthetic that aligns with your brand.

• Color filters: Match your hotel's color scheme.
• Themed filters: Use seasonal or event-specific filters to add flair.

Tip: Don’t overuse filters; keep it natural and appealing.

Stickers

Stickers add a fun, interactive element to your Stories. Instagram offers a variety of stickers, including GIFs, emojis, and special occasion stickers.

• Event stickers: Use stickers for holidays or special events.
• Interactive stickers: Use "Tap to see more" stickers to encourage engagement.

Example: Use a "Book Now" sticker during a flash sale to drive bookings.

Interactive Elements

Interactive elements like polls, questions, and quizzes can significantly boost engagement.

• Polls: Ask questions like "Which room view do you prefer: Ocean or City?"
• Questions: Host a Q&A about your hotel’s amenities.
• Quizzes: Create fun quizzes about your hotel's history or local trivia.

Tip: Keep interactive elements simple and visually appealing to encourage participation.

By incorporating these tips into your Instagram Stories, you can create compelling content that captures attention and drives engagement. Next, we'll explore how to promote your local area through Instagram Stories.

Promoting Your Local Area through Instagram Stories

When it comes to Instagram marketing for hotels, promoting your local area can be a game-changer. Guests are not just booking a room; they’re booking an experience. Use Instagram Stories to showcase local attractions, restaurants, events, and scenic spots to entice potential guests.

Local Attractions

Highlighting nearby landmarks and attractions can make your hotel more appealing.

• Landmarks: Showcase famous spots like museums, historical sites, and parks.
• Activities: Promote activities such as hiking trails, boat tours, or local festivals.

Example: Share a Story featuring a panoramic view from a popular lookout point, tagging the location to boost visibility.

Restaurants

Food is a big part of travel. Partner with local restaurants to feature dining options.

• Local Cuisine: Highlight dishes that are unique to your area.
• Restaurant Features: Share Stories about popular restaurants, their ambiance, and must-try dishes.

Example: Post a Story of a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant with a "Swipe Up" link to their menu.

Events

Events can draw guests to your hotel. Use Stories to keep your audience updated.

• Local Festivals: Promote upcoming festivals, fairs, and cultural events.
• Hotel Events: Showcase events hosted at your hotel, such as live music or themed dinners.

Example: Create a Story countdown for a local music festival to build excitement.

Scenic Spots

Beautiful scenery can be a huge draw. Use Instagram Stories to show off your area's natural beauty.

• Sunsets and Sunrises: Share captivating views from your hotel or nearby spots.
• Nature Trails: Highlight scenic walking paths, beaches, or gardens.

Example: Post a timelapse Story of the sunset from a nearby beach, tagging the location to attract viewers.

By promoting your local area through Instagram Stories, you can offer potential guests a glimpse of the full experience they’ll have when they stay at your hotel. Next, we'll dive into how to run Instagram Story contests to further engage your audience.

Running Instagram Story Contests

Instagram Story contests are a fantastic way to engage your audience and boost your hotel's visibility. Let's explore three popular types of contests: hashtag contests, like-to-win campaigns, and selfie station contests.

Hashtag Contests

Hashtag contests are simple and effective. Create a unique hashtag related to your hotel and ask users to include it in their Stories.

How it works:

1. Create a Hashtag: Use something catchy and unique like #StayAtSunsetHotel.
2. Ask for Participation: Encourage guests to share their best holiday memories using your hashtag.
3. Pick a Winner: Select the best entry and offer a prize, like a free night's stay.

Example: "Share your favorite memory at Sunset Hotel with #StayAtSunsetHotel for a chance to win a free weekend stay!"

Like-to-Win Campaigns

Like-to-win campaigns are straightforward and can quickly increase your engagement.

How it works:

1. Post a Story: Share a Story about the contest with an enticing image of the prize.
2. Set the Rules: Ask viewers to like the Story to enter.
3. Select a Winner: Randomly pick a winner from the likes.

Example: "Like this Story for a chance to win a dinner for two at our hotel's restaurant!"

Selfie Station Contests

Selfie station contests are perfect for engaging current guests and promoting your hotel through their networks.

How it works:

1. Set Up a Selfie Station: Create a fun, Instagrammable spot at your hotel.
2. Encourage Selfies: Ask guests to take selfies at the station and tag your hotel.
3. Offer a Prize: Reward the best selfie with a special prize.

Example: "Take a selfie at our poolside station, tag @SunsetHotel, and use #SunsetSelfie for a chance to win a spa day!"

Running Instagram Story contests can significantly boost your hotel's engagement and reach. By leveraging these simple yet effective strategies, you can create memorable experiences for your guests and keep them coming back for more.

Next, we'll dive into how to leverage Instagram ads for your Stories to reach an even broader audience.

Utilizing Instagram Ads for Stories

Instagram ads are a powerful tool for reaching a broader audience. They blend seamlessly into users' feeds and Stories, making them feel like a natural part of the Instagram experience. Here’s how you can use different types of Instagram ads to boost your hotel’s visibility.

Image Ads

Image ads are the classic Instagram picture posts, but with a 'Sponsored' tag. They’re great for showcasing high-quality photos of your hotel’s amenities, rooms, or scenic views.

Example: A stunning sunset view from your hotel’s rooftop bar with a 'Book Now' button.

Video Ads

Video ads are engaging and can tell a story in a few seconds. Use them to show off your hotel’s unique features, events, and more.

Example: A 15-second video tour of your hotel’s luxurious spa with a 'Swipe Up' for booking.

Story Ads

Story ads appear between users' Stories and take up the full screen. They’re perfect for quick promotions and special offers.

Example: A limited-time discount on weekend stays with a 'Swipe Up' to book directly.

Carousel Ads

Carousel ads allow users to swipe through multiple images or videos in one ad. This format is ideal for showcasing different aspects of your hotel in a single ad.

Example: A series of images showing your hotel’s rooms, restaurant, and pool area with a 'Learn More' button.

Shopping Ads

Shopping ads are interactive and let users view products and make in-app purchases. If your hotel sells merchandise or offers packages, this is a great option.

Example: Promote your hotel’s branded souvenirs or exclusive stay packages with clickable tags that lead to purchase options.

Why Use Instagram Ads?

Using Instagram ads for your hotel can:

• Reach a targeted audience: Customize who sees your ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
• Increase direct bookings: Use call-to-action buttons like 'Book Now' or 'Swipe Up' to drive immediate bookings.
• Boost visibility: Ads can appear in users’ feeds, Stories, Explore page, and more, maximizing your reach.
• Track performance: Use Instagram Insights to measure the success of your ads and optimize them over time.

Leveraging Instagram ads effectively can significantly improve your hotel's marketing strategy. Next, we’ll look at how to measure success and optimize your Instagram strategy.

Measuring Success and Optimizing Your Strategy

To make the most of your Instagram marketing for hotels, you need to track your performance and optimize your strategy based on the data. Here’s how you can do that using Instagram Insights and other metrics.

Instagram Insights

Instagram Insights is a powerful tool for businesses. It provides detailed analytics about your followers and how they interact with your content.

Key Metrics to Track:

• Follower Growth: Monitor how your follower count changes over time. This helps you understand if your content is attracting new followers.
• Engagement Rate: Look at likes, comments, shares, and saves. High engagement means your content resonates with your audience.
• Reach and Impressions: Reach is the number of unique accounts that have seen your posts. Impressions are the total number of times your posts were seen. Both metrics are crucial for understanding your content's visibility.

Engagement Metrics

Engagement is more than just likes and comments. It’s about meaningful interactions that can lead to bookings.

Important Engagement Metrics:

• Comments: Engage with users who comment on your posts. This builds a community and encourages more interaction.
• Shares: When users share your content, it reaches a broader audience. This is a good indicator of valuable content.
• Saves: If users save your posts, it means they find your content useful and want to revisit it.

Audience Insights

Understanding your audience is key to tailoring your content. Use Audience Insights to get a detailed look at your followers.

What to Look For:

• Demographics: Age, gender, and location of your followers. Tailor your content to match your audience’s interests and preferences.
• Activity: When your followers are most active. Post during peak times to maximize engagement.
• Interests: What other types of content your audience engages with. This can give you ideas for new posts and stories.

Content Performance

Analyze how different types of content perform to optimize your strategy.

Types of Content to Analyze:

• Photos vs. Videos: See which type gets more engagement. For example, if videos perform better, consider creating more video content.
• Stories: Track which stories get the most views and interactions. Use this data to refine your story strategy.
• User-Generated Content: Posts from guests can boost authenticity. Encourage guests to share their experiences and feature them on your profile.

Tools for Tracking

While Instagram Insights is great, you might want more detailed analytics. Tools like Sail's Analytics can provide deeper insights and help you track performance over time.

Benefits of Using Analytics Tools:

• Comprehensive Reports: Get detailed reports on your content’s performance.
• Scheduled Posts: Plan and schedule posts to ensure consistency.
• Competitor Analysis: See how your competitors are performing and adjust your strategy accordingly.

By regularly measuring your success and optimizing your strategy, you can make your Instagram marketing for hotels more effective. This will help you attract more followers, increase engagement, and ultimately drive more bookings.

Next, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about using Instagram Stories for hotels.

Frequently Asked Questions about Instagram Marketing for Hotels

How can hotels use Instagram Stories effectively?

Instagram Stories are a great way for hotels to engage with their audience in a fun and interactive way. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give your followers a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at your hotel. This could be anything from staff preparing for an event to the chef cooking a special dish.

2. Promote Events and Special Offers: Use Stories to announce upcoming events, promotions, or special offers. This creates a sense of urgency and encourages followers to take action.

3. Highlight Guest Experiences: Share user-generated content by reposting guests' photos and videos. This not only builds trust but also encourages other guests to share their experiences.

4. Use Interactive Features: Use features like polls, questions, and countdowns to engage your audience. For example, you could run a poll asking followers what amenities they enjoy most or use a countdown to build excitement for an upcoming event.

What types of content should hotels post on Instagram Stories?

To keep your audience engaged, vary your content. Here are some ideas:

1. Beautiful Imagery: Post high-quality images and videos of your hotel’s facilities, rooms, and scenic views. Visual appeal is key on Instagram.

2. Local Attractions: Showcase local attractions, restaurants, and events. This not only promotes your hotel but also the surrounding area, making it more appealing to potential guests.

3. Guest Testimonials: Share short clips or quotes from satisfied guests. Authentic reviews can be very persuasive.

4. Daily Updates: Regularly update your Stories with daily happenings at the hotel. This could be anything from a sunny day by the pool to a busy evening at the hotel bar.

5. Special Offers: Promote any ongoing deals or discounts. Make sure to include a call-to-action to encourage bookings.

How can hotels increase engagement on Instagram Stories?

Increasing engagement on Instagram Stories can lead to more followers and higher booking rates. Here’s how:

1. Use Hashtags and Location Tags: Adding relevant hashtags and location tags can increase your reach. Posts with location tags get 79% more engagement.

2. Interactive Elements: Features like polls, quizzes, and Q&As can make your Stories more engaging. For example, you could run a quiz about local trivia or ask followers what they want to see more of.

3. Consistent Posting: Regularly updating your Stories keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more. Aim to post at least a few times a week.

4. Highlight Stories: Save your best Stories as Highlights on your profile. This keeps important content accessible even after the 24-hour Story period.

5. Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with travel influencers to reach a broader audience. Influencers can share their stay experience, which can draw their followers to your hotel.

6. Run Contests: Host Instagram Story contests where followers can win a stay or a special package. This encourages participation and spreads the word about your hotel.

By using these strategies, hotels can make the most of their Instagram Stories, engage with their audience, and drive more bookings.

Conclusion

Instagram marketing for hotels is not just about posting beautiful pictures; it's about telling a story that resonates with your audience. By using Instagram Stories effectively, hotels can create engaging and interactive content that drives direct bookings and builds a loyal following.

At Sailtech.ai, we specialize in AI-driven marketing that takes your hotel’s Instagram game to the next level. Our technology seamlessly integrates with your existing systems, making it easy to start seeing results without changing your operational setup.

Why Choose Sailtech.ai?

AI-Driven Marketing: We leverage the power of artificial intelligence to optimize your campaigns, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement.

Seamless Integration: Our platform works smoothly with any hotel management system, allowing for hassle-free setup and operation.

Cost-Effective Model: We cover your ad spend, and you only pay for the bookings we generate. No setup fees, no retainer fees, and no long-term commitments.

Real-Time Insights: Our live dashboard provides real-time access to all your campaign data, helping you monitor performance and make informed decisions.

Hotels partnering with Sail have seen a significant increase in direct bookings and revenue. Our unique approach ensures that your property stands out on essential channels like Instagram, Facebook, and Google Search.

Ready to transform your hotel's Instagram marketing? Find how Sailtech.ai can help you achieve unprecedented success.