Holiday travelers are looking to relax and unwind – napping in a comfy bed, soaking in a hot tub, or booking a day spa – and more than half (55%) are finding sanctuary in hotels.
With the holiday season in full swing, the joy of reuniting with loved ones brings a lot of excitement and anticipation, but according to a new holiday travel survey by IHG Hotels & Resorts, it might also come with an unexpected need for additional rest.
The poll of 2,000 U.S. holiday travelers, conducted by IHG in collaboration with OnePoll, showed that 71% of travelers said they’d need a separate vacation after spending time with their family – to unwind and fully relax. Respondents were eager to take a nap in a cozy, spacious bed (60%), soak in a jacuzzi (46%) or book a calming spa day (42%).
With IHG’s belief that when people are taken care of, they feel free to be themselves and live their best lives, the survey was designed to understand what travelers need most during a busy and stressful time, and what creature comforts help them feel more at ease.
Connor Smith, Vice President of Masterbrand Strategy at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “The holidays often go hand-in-hand with traveling to see loved ones – but as much as we enjoy visiting friends and family, it can leave us feeling drained. When that happens, people want to relax and be taken care of, enjoy free breakfast from Holiday Inn Express or a glass of wine at Kimpton’s social hour and not worry about cleaning their room in the morning.
For travelers that are opting not to stay with friends and relatives, more than half (55%) are turning to hotels for respite, and top reasons include having more space to themselves (34%), relaxing and being taken care of by someone else (34%), getting some quiet time (32%), being themselves (29%) and not having to clean after meals (27%).
Whether travelers prefer to stay somewhere quiet and clean to relax (86%), or somewhere where they can have their own space and recharge (83%), it’s clear that traveling on their own terms in a place they feel welcomed and cared for is at the top of the list. At its core, IHG Hotels & Resorts is about real people taking care of real people, and with 6,000 hotels and 19 brands to choose from, guests get more control and greater personal choice when they stay at IHG.
It’s possible for hotels to feel like home for the holidays, with more than two-thirds (69%) of respondents wanting to stay somewhere festively decorated if they’re traveling, there are a plethora of options including Winter Chalet themed hotel lobby installations across IHG Luxury & Lifestyle hotels in the Americas.
TOP 10 REASONS TRAVELERS CHOOSE HOTELS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
| Have more space to yourself | 34% |
| Relax and be taken care of | 34% |
| Have some quiet time | 32% |
| Be your authentic self | 29% |
| Don’t have to clean up after meals | 27% |
| Get better sleep | 27% |
| Don’t have to make bed or do any chores | 25% |
| Have room service and eat it in bed | 24% |
| Access to more amenities | 24% |
| More space for family and travel companions | 23% |
“Staying at a hotel over the holidays gives travelers the opportunity to recharge and rejoin the holiday festivities on their own terms. When travelers are ready for a break during or after the holiday season, they can show up as themselves and leave the rest to us,” says Smith.
