What are hotel coupons?

Hotel coupons are a great way to attract more guests, boost bookings, and encourage loyalty. These offers can include discounts like a percentage off a stay, a set dollar amount off, or even special packages with extras like free breakfast or late check-out. 

Essentially the same as a hotel promo, they’re flexible and can be shared through multiple channels—whether it’s your website, social media platforms, email campaigns, or even third-party coupon sites. By using coupons, you can reach new audiences while rewarding returning guests, making them a win-win for small hotels.

In this blog we’ll explore coupons and how your hotel can successfully use promo codes to increase bookings and revenue.

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What are the reasons to implement hotel coupons for your small property?

Coupons have proven, time and again, that they are a highly effective sales tool. Whether you’re already running a small hotel or just starting out, coupons should be part of your marketing strategy.

Why? Coupons have a drastic impact on the effectiveness of any marketing endeavours.

They generally attract business by increasing the number of people who convert through your website, emails, social media, and other channels. They can be a great tool if done with the right marketing strategy.

Here are some ways to use coupons to your small accommodation business’ advantage.

1. Hotel coupons can improve the effectiveness of all your distribution channels

Coupons are perfect for last-minute sales of your remaining available rooms.

But you need an effective way to get it out there, so share it across all channels – your website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and email.

And with the rise of Snapchat and other social media channels, you can use these tools to widen your online reach and distribution.

By doing this, you don’t just get more reservations, but you also increase your customer’s loyalty and brand awareness increases.

2. Hotel coupons can make customers happy

coupons trigger a positive emotional response in recipients, often compared to the feeling of receiving a reward. Studies have shown that the act of receiving a coupon can release oxytocin, a hormone associated with happiness and social bonding. This makes customers feel appreciated, increasing their likelihood of making a purchase and returning to the business​. In fact, customers of the studied business that received coupons were 11% happier than those who didn’t.

By offering hotel coupons, you not only meet customer expectations but also improve overall satisfaction. Happy customers are more likely to leave positive reviews and become repeat visitors, which directly contributes to business success.

3. Hotel coupons will reactivate old customers

One of the best advantages of coupons is that they revive your old customers. You give out coupons, you give them a reason to come back.

Add it to your automatic post-stay email. Give them a promotion code they can use to come back, or refer to a friend, at a discount. Your reservation system should allow you to do this.

4. Put time limits on your hotel coupons

Putting limits on coupons will allow you to examine your strategy on whether it has been effective or not.

Additionally, you don’t want to be seen as always giving discounts. Use the results as the basis for your future campaigns.

5. Marketing on coupon code websites

If you are itching to get your rooms out there, you can put up your coupon codes on websites that provide a wide range of coupons.

These sites usually get their traffic by customers who are actively looking for coupons. Choose a coupon retailer that gives you reach into audiences you wouldn’t be able to get otherwise. Since it’s last minute, target surrounding cities.

Some websites you can consider are CouponRetailr, RetailMeNot, Coupons.com. LocalSaver and Slickdeals.net.

hotel coupon

Types of discount hotel coupons

Your hotel’s audience is unique, and by tailoring your discounts to specific audiences or seasons, you can maximise your hotel’s revenue and keep your property in demand year-round.

1. Time-based hotel coupons (seasonal promotions, flash sales)

These coupons are focused on limited-time offers, such as seasonal promotions or flash sales. For example, you could offer a discount during the off-season to attract bookings when occupancy is typically lower, or run a flash sale for last-minute weekend stays. Time-sensitive offers create urgency, encouraging guests to book quickly. Learn more about how discount pricing can increase your hotel’s bookings.

2. Volume-based hotel coupons (group bookings, extended-stay discounts)

Volume-based discounts target larger groups or extended stays, making them ideal for guests booking multiple rooms or planning longer visits. Group bookings might get a percentage off, or extended stays could receive a night free after a certain number of nights booked. These coupons can be especially effective for attracting families, corporate events, or long-term travellers. Explore more about creating small hotel packages that appeal to these guests.

3. Value-added hotel coupons (packages, complimentary services)

Instead of a straight discount, value-added coupons offer guests something extra—like free breakfast, complimentary parking, or access to exclusive services. These packages enhance the guest experience while maintaining the perceived value of a stay. By bundling services with room bookings, you can make your hotel more appealing without reducing your base rates. Find out how to create effective hotel packages and promotions to stand out.

4. Targeted hotel coupons (loyalty programs, member-only discounts)

These are personalised offers aimed at specific groups, such as loyalty program members or returning guests. Targeted coupons can include member-only discounts or exclusive offers for repeat customers, helping to build long-term relationships and encourage repeat bookings. Loyalty-based offers not only show appreciation for regular guests but also boost guest retention and satisfaction.

How to create the best hotel coupons for your small accommodation business

So you’re sold on the idea of using coupons to boost your bookings and improve occupancy rates during quiet periods. Now, how do you actually do it? 

Success lies in thoughtful planning—selecting the most suitable coupon type for your audience, crafting clear terms, and integrating the coupon codes into your hotel’s booking system to streamline the process for guests.

Choose the right coupon type

Start by selecting the most relevant coupon type for your business. Whether it’s time-based discounts for seasonal promotions, volume-based deals for group bookings, or value-added offers like complimentary breakfasts, your choice should align with your business goals and target audience. You can mix and match different types of coupons to attract various guest segments throughout the year.

Set the terms and conditions properly

Clear and specific terms and conditions are crucial for managing guest expectations and ensuring your discounts work in your favour. Include details such as blackout dates, minimum stay requirements, or expiration dates to prevent any confusion. This also helps protect your revenue by ensuring that discounts don’t erode profitability during peak times. Crafting well-defined terms can also prevent guests from taking advantage of the offer in ways that could hurt your bottom line.

Integrate coupons with your booking system

Seamlessly integrating your coupons with your hotel’s booking system is essential for an efficient and user-friendly experience. Guests should be able to enter promo codes directly into your booking engine, applying the discount at checkout without any manual intervention. This not only makes the process smoother for guests but also reduces the workload for your team. 

Systems like Little Hotelier allow you to easily manage and track coupon use, ensuring that your promotions run smoothly and are accessible to guests during the booking process.

Balance hotel coupons with brand value

Hotel coupons can be a fantastic way to bring in more guests, but it’s important not to go overboard. If you rely too heavily on discounts, you risk devaluing your brand and sending the message that price is the only thing that matters. This can attract bargain hunters who are only focused on getting the lowest price, rather than guests who appreciate the unique experience and value your hotel provides.

Instead, try to strike a balance by offering hotel coupons strategically. Pair discounts with the unique perks of staying at your property—whether it’s personalised service, a great location, or exclusive amenities. You could offer value-added packages like complimentary breakfasts, room upgrades, or special experiences, rather than constantly lowering rates. This keeps your brand strong while still offering guests a reason to choose your hotel.

By focusing on the full guest experience, you’ll attract guests who see the value in what you offer, rather than just those chasing the cheapest deal. This way, you can fill your rooms while maintaining the integrity of your brand.

By Dean Elphick

Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).