Looking to boost December bookings without slashing your rates?
In this episode I’ll show you how you can sell out by adding value, not discounts with your festive hotel packages.

If you’re a hotel owner looking to boost bookings, beat the big chains, and build a business you love—subscribe now and ring that bell 🔔 so you never miss another episode.

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🎅 How to Maximise Bookings During the Festive Season

Is your hotel feeling more “Silent Night” than “Jingle Bells” when it comes to festive bookings?

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You’re not alone. The holiday season should be your golden goose. But for many independent hotel owners, it’s more like herding reindeer in a snowstorm—chaotic, unpredictable, and slightly cold.

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Good news: with the right strategies, December can be your best month yet. Read on for one surprising tip at the end that could fill your rooms faster than Santa drops down chimneys.

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🎁 Section 1: Start Early, Stay Visible

Holiday shoppers start earlier every year—why shouldn’t travellers?

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If you’re only just thinking about your Christmas campaign mid-December, you’re already behind the sleigh. According to Booking.com, festive travel searches spike in October. That means your festive offer should be live before Halloween even ends.

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Want to stay visible? Optimise your website for holiday travel keywords like “cosy winter getaway [your location]”, “Christmas market hotels near [city]”, or “New Year’s Eve hotel packages in [region]”.

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👉 Promo: For tips that go beyond this post, listen to the Hotelier Helpcast Podcast: hotelierhelpcast.com/podcast

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🥂 Section 2: Bundle Up—It’s Package Time!

Now’s not the time to sell just a room. You’re selling an experience.

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Think festive packages: hot chocolate welcome drinks, local Christmas market shuttle, late check-out on New Year’s Day. Add a gingerbread-scented candle and—boom—you’re not just a hotel, you’re a holiday memory.

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What local events could you tie in with? A tree lighting ceremony? A festive parade? Find them, feature them.

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Not sure what guests want in a package? Ask last year’s guests with a cheeky email: “Help us build this year’s perfect Christmas stay—what do you want under the hotel tree?”

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Quick question. Are you tired of feeling like your hotel’s running you? Join my free training webinar “From Chaos to Control: The 3 Fixes Every Hotel Owner Needs to Boost Bookings and Cut Stress”. Register Now! You can find the link in the show notes.

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✨ Section 3: Tap Into Local Love

Here’s the thing: not all bookings come from out-of-towners.

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Think local. Market your hotel as the perfect spot for:

• Visiting family members who’ve “outstayed the guestroom.”

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• Office Christmas parties with an overnight stay.

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• Locals needing a festive staycation to escape their in-laws.

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Run geo-targeted Facebook and Instagram ads. “Live in [City]? Treat yourself to a night away—right here.” It works.

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Bonus tip: Partner with local businesses. A café that throws in mince pies. A florist offering a mistletoe discount. Think collaboration over competition.

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🕯️ Section 4: Deck the Halls—Online & Onsite

Your decor should start online. If your website still looks like July, you’re not getting festive bookings.

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Add seasonal photos to your homepage. Update your Google listing with Christmas opening hours. Post behind-the-scenes decorating videos on social media.

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Onsite? Go for warm lighting, evergreen garlands, soft instrumental music in common areas. Smell matters too—cinnamon, pine, and vanilla work magic on the senses.

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Set the scene. Guests don’t just want a place to sleep. They want a holiday postcard they can live in.

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🎉 Section 5: Communicate Like a Pro (But With Tinsel)

The inbox is a battleground in December—but don’t let that scare you.

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Send three festive emails:

• Pre-December – Announce your festive packages early.

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• Mid-December – Share a story from a past guest who had a magical Christmas stay.

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• Last-Minute Bookers – A cheeky “Santa called—he said we’ve got a room for you!”

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Add urgency: “Limited rooms,” “Hot dates filling fast,” or “Last room under the tree.”

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And for goodness’ sake, automate your confirmation emails. Personalise them with seasonal greetings. This is where many big chains drop the ball—and you shine.

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🎄 BONUS TIP: Give the Gift of a Stay

Here it is—the tip we promised earlier.

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Create gift vouchers. Wrap them up as “The Gift of a Weekend Away”. Promote it as the perfect last-minute gift for someone who “already has everything.”

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Add urgency: “Delivered instantly—perfect for last-minute Santas.” These are excellent revenue in December and redemption gold in the low season.

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The big hotel chains? Deep pockets.

You? Guts, charm… and this guide.

“Your Independent Hotel Blueprint” helps you win—without selling your soul to OTAs.

Download it free. Let’s show them how it’s done.

You can find a link in the show notes.

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What’s your favourite way to add festive sparkle to your hotel?

Drop your answer in the comments.

Here Are Your Key Takeaways

In Conclusion

December doesn’t have to be a stress fest. With a bit of planning and a sprinkle of creativity, you can turn the holiday rush into your hotel’s biggest booking boost of the year.

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The big hotel chains? Deep pockets.

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You? Guts, charm… and this guide.

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“Your Independent Hotel Blueprint” helps you win—without selling your soul to OTAs.

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Download it free. Let’s show them how it’s done.

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You can find a link in the show notes.

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More guests. More memories. More magic.

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Want the full blueprint? It’s all inside “The Hotel Owner’s Roadmap: 90 Days to More Bookings, More Time, and Less Stress.” Don’t just wing it—win it.

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Looking for more tips like this? Check out this post, How To Unlock Better Guest Experiences With Active Voice. Episode 31.

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🎄 Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s holiday hit—and hey, if you like what we do, buy us a coffee ☕. We’ll make it peppermint mocha.