Why Experiences Could Be Your Hotel’s Best Kept Secret

Your hotel might already have the beautiful rooms, pool, and unbeatable views. But have you thought about your property as the perfect venue for events that go beyond weddings or corporate seminars?

In 2025, more travelers and locals are looking for reasons to gather — whether it’s a niche conference, a hobby-driven weekend, or yes, even a night of competitive gaming. The good news? Hotels that tap into these experiences aren’t just renting rooms. They’re creating memorable hubs that bring people through the door.

What’s Driving This Trend?

A rise in specialized communities.

Whether it’s coding bootcamps, wellness retreats, or e-sports tournaments, people love traveling to meet others who share their passions.

Hotels that position themselves as the go-to spot for these gatherings aren’t just hosting — they’re becoming a vital part of vibrant local and global communities.

How Are Hotels Doing It?

It doesn’t have to mean huge ballrooms or heavy investments. Here’s how smart hotels are stepping in:

Pop-Up E-Sports Nights & Gaming Weekends

E-sports isn’t just for stadiums. Imagine turning your lounge or conference space into an e-sports arena for a night — streaming a tournament’s finals on a giant screen, with themed cocktails and snack platters.

Or hosting small-scale FIFA tournaments that get locals buzzing and tagging your property all over social media.

Wellness Retreats & Mindful Getaways

From morning yoga on the terrace to guided meditation workshops in your garden, hotels are repurposing their outdoor spaces and quiet lounges into spots for wellness-focused mini conferences or day retreats.

Add on healthy brunch offerings and spa discounts, and suddenly your hotel is known as the place to recharge.

Creative & Tech Meetups

Not every conference needs to be stuffy. Co-working pop-ups, digital marketing bootcamps, even local “creator days” where people network over new projects — all need stylish spaces with good Wi-Fi and a vibe that feels welcoming.

Small touches like branded backdrops for photos or a highlight reel after the event can turn your hotel into the talk of LinkedIn.

Why This Matters for Hotels

Drives F&B revenue. Guests aren’t just attending an event — they’re sticking around for drinks, snacks, or dinner.
Differentiates your brand. Not every property thinks beyond weddings and corporate. Hosting a coding workshop, wellness weekend, or e-sports night puts you in a league of your own.
Turns guests into content creators. Every photo, reel, or story from your space is free marketing, spreading your name across new audiences.

Quick Wins to Try

Organize a monthly themed event: from local art talks to gaming nights.
Partner with wellness coaches or local instructors to host mini retreats.
Offer meeting planners simple packages with custom menus, or room block deals that make booking easier.

Events Are the New Experience

Travelers and locals alike crave gatherings that feel fresh, social, and easy to share. By opening your hotel up to unique events you’re not just filling spaces. You’re building brand love and giving guests more reasons to return.

At opensmjle, we help hotels turn these ideas into vibrant realities — with strategies, content, and campaigns that get people talking.

Curious how to make your hotel the next local hotspot?

Let’s chat.

About opensmjle

Everything starts with an opensmjle.

opensmjle, Cologne-based digital agency, stands for all things digital and has been looking for new and innovative approaches to the requirements of the hospitality industry since 2013, specializing not only in the hotel and catering industry, but also in the associated technology providers.

In addition to our digital agents, we offer website design and programming in monthly packages so that companies can invest more budget in their customers’ stay experience. To perfect the customer journey, we take care of the storytelling – as a holistic concept or for specific topics.

Ready to take your guests’ stay experience and your customers’ customer journey to the next level?

Then let’s get to know each other better now:

www.opensmjle.com
hej@opensmjle.com
+4922198867761