The Power of Experiential Marketing – Turning Stays into Stories

Experiential marketing is all about creating immersive experiences that guests will remember and share. Instead of just offering a place to stay, properties that craft unique, interactive experiences encourage word-of-mouth marketing and repeat visits.

Marriott’s “M Live” program tracks social media trends in real-time to create experiences guests will talk about. For instance, when they noticed a rising trend in “Instagrammable” travel spots, they redesigned hotel spaces with photogenic décor and lighting.

How to Implement Experiential Marketing at Your Property

1. Interactive Welcome Experiences

The first impression sets the tone for the entire stay. A personalized check-in process, welcome gifts, or a fun activity can immediately engage guests.

The Ritz-Carlton is famous for its “Surprise & Delight” strategy, where staff members learn about guests’ preferences in advance and customize their welcome experience. A family traveling with a toddler might receive a stuffed toy in their room upon arrival.

2. Themed Stays & Immersive Events

A themed stay allows guests to immerse themselves in a particular story or setting.

Finca Bellavista, a treehouse hotel in Costa Rica, offers an “off-the-grid” jungle experience where guests participate in sustainability workshops and live among the treetops.

3. Behind-the-Scenes Access

Offering guests a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes makes their stay more memorable.

The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin invites visitors to craft their own pint of Guinness while learning about the beer-making process, turning the visit into an interactive experience.

4. Photo-Worthy Spaces & Social Media Challenges

Encouraging guests to share their experiences online turns them into brand ambassadors.

The 25hours Hotel in Vienna designed rooms with quirky, circus-themed interiors to encourage guests to snap and share their stay on Instagram.

5. Interactive Food & Beverage Experiences

Dining can be an experience in itself when it involves participation.

At Blue Hill at Stone Barns, guests don’t just eat farm-to-table cuisine—they tour the farm, meet the chefs, and even help harvest ingredients for their meals.

Marketing Your Experiential Stay

Encourage User-Generated Content – Create hashtags and ask guests to tag their experiences.
Host Limited-Time Experiences – Seasonal pop-ups or special events drive urgency.
Collaborate with Influencers – Invite travel bloggers to showcase your unique offerings.
Leverage Email Marketing – Send personalized experience offers to past guests.
Use Short-Form Videos – Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts showcasing interactive experiences can go viral.

10 Interactive Questions for This Chapter

• What unique experience can you offer that no other stay in your area provides?
• Can you design an interactive welcome gift that surprises and delights guests?
• Do you have a photogenic space that encourages guests to share on social media?
• Can you incorporate a behind-the-scenes tour or storytelling element?
• How can you engage guests through immersive events or themed stays?
• Would offering a hands-on food experience (cooking class, farm tour) appeal to your audience?
• Can you collaborate with local artists, chefs, or guides to enhance experiences?
• What marketing strategy will ensure guests share their experiences online?
• Are there elements of your stay that could go viral on social media?
• What steps will you take to launch your first experiential marketing campaign?