Profitable Packages: How Hotel Packages Drive Direct Bookings…Even if they “Don’t Sell”

Here’s why packages are way more than just a fancy combo:

1. SEO Power Play

Packages are search engine gold—if you play your cards right. Don’t just copy-paste your booking engine descriptions onto your website’s offers page. Give it the love it deserves! Sprinkle in some relevant keywords, jazz up the descriptions, and throw in an irresistible call to action. Boom! Now, you’ve got a package that’s not just appealing to guests but also to Google.

2. Customizing the Guest Experience for the Holidays

The holiday season brings in a mix of travelers—shoppers looking for convenient stays, families visiting loved ones, and couples seeking a cozy winter escape. With tailored packages, you can cater to each of these groups.

For families, you might offer a “Holiday Family Fun” package that includes tickets to a local holiday event, complimentary hot chocolate, and late checkout for a stress-free morning. For couples, a “Romantic Winter Escape” could feature a bottle of wine, dinner reservations at a local restaurant, and a late checkout for a luxurious lie-in. By offering targeted packages, you can give travelers exactly what they’re looking for during the holidays.

3. Standout Experiences (Holiday Edition)

Not all standout experiences need to be within the walls of your hotel. In fact, holiday packages are the perfect way to showcase your hotel’s proximity to festive attractions and events. Consider offering a “Holiday Lights & Nights” package that features a map of nearby holiday light displays or markets. Or how about a “Winter in the City” package that pairs a cozy stay with access to popular local winter activities?

Even if your hotel doesn’t offer an in-house restaurant, that doesn’t mean you can’t create a festive “Holiday Dining Experience” package. Partner with local eateries to give guests a memorable night out with special holiday menus, then welcome them back to your hotel for a restful night’s stay.

To top off the evening, why not invite guests to cap off their local outing with a nightcap at your hotel bar? A warm, festive drink by the fireplace or a seasonal cocktail crafted with local ingredients is the perfect way to end a magical night. Packages like a “Festive Flight Tasting Package,” featuring local breweries or distilleries, can also draw guests into your bar to sample seasonal beverages. They’ll enjoy a taste of the local flavor while you showcase what makes your hotel special—all without needing to go above and beyond what you already do best.

It’s a win-win: your guests get an authentic local experience, and you highlight your hotel’s unique offerings in a way that feels effortless.

4. Leveling the Playing Field for Smaller Hotels

For smaller hotels or select-service properties, holiday packages can be a real game-changer. While larger, full-service hotels might have the advantage of more on-site amenities, smaller hotels can compete by offering something more personal and authentic.

By creating partnerships with local businesses—like offering discounted tickets to holiday shows, access to a nearby spa, or curated holiday shopping guides—you can create packages that offer something unique and valuable to guests. This way, your hotel becomes more than just a place to stay; it becomes part of a larger, memorable holiday experience.

5. Direct Bookings: Your Holiday Bonus

One of the best perks of offering packages is that they help boost direct bookings. Guests love exclusive deals, especially when they’re tied to the holiday season. By making your holiday packages only available when booking directly through your website, you give travelers a reason to bypass third-party OTAs (and save on those pesky commissions).

Exclusive holiday deals create urgency, too. Limited-time offers for holiday packages are a great way to get guests to book sooner rather than later, ensuring that your rooms are filled well ahead of the holiday rush.

6. Social Media Fuel for the Holidays

Need to spice up your social media feed this season? Holiday packages are a goldmine of content! Post photos of your beautifully decorated hotel, show off local holiday attractions, and highlight the unique experiences included in each package. Behind-the-scenes snapshots of holiday preparations and guest stories can make for engaging, heartwarming content that resonates with your audience.

Use social media to create excitement around your packages—countdowns, giveaways, and sneak peeks are great ways to drive traffic back to your booking page.

The Holiday Secret? Do It Right!

Crafting holiday packages is about more than just bundling a few amenities. You need to offer real value and experiences that are irresistible to travelers looking for a seasonal escape. The right mix of festive fun and practical perks will have your packages selling themselves.

Bonus Tip: Track the Holiday Magic!

And don’t forget—add tracking to your booking URLs and set holiday-specific goals in your analytics**. This way, you can see exactly how many guests started booking because of a package and how many converted elsewhere. With this data, you’ll be able to tweak your offers and marketing strategies to maximize conversions throughout the holiday season.

So, the next time someone tells you “packages don’t sell,” just smile and say, “Have they tried a good package?”

Need a hand crafting packages that actually work? Reach out to KeyBuzz Digital. We’ll give your hotel a full digital presence audit, optimize your package game, and show you how to boost those direct bookings. With our expertise and our hotel marketing support service plans, you’ll see savings roll in—thanks to fewer OTA commissions and more happy guests.