How to Improve Guest Experience in Hotels: 5 Ways That Work

Every property manager has asked the same question at some point: what actually makes guests come back?

It's rarely the thread count or the lobby art. The guests who leave glowing reviews and book again are the ones who felt something: engaged, relaxed, maybe a little surprised by something unexpected. That's what a great guest experience is really about.

In this post, we're covering five practical ways for how to improve guest experience in hotel settings, from operational basics to unique experiences and outdoor amenities that more hotels and resorts are crediting with better reviews, longer stays, and more social media content than they expected.

5 Tips on How to Improve Guest Experience in Hotels

Improving hotel guest experience isn't a single department's responsibility; it's a property-wide commitment that touches every interaction, space, and decision a guest encounters from the moment they book to the moment they check out.

1. Make Arrival and Check-In Feel Effortless

First impressions set the emotional tone for everything that follows. A long check-in line, a key that doesn't work, or a front desk interaction that feels rushed can shadow an otherwise excellent stay.

The fix isn't always technology. It's intentionality. Whether your property uses digital check-in, mobile keys, or a fully staffed desk, the goal is the same: guests should feel welcomed and settled within minutes of walking in. 

Train your team to greet people by name when possible, acknowledge the purpose of the trip when known, and eliminate friction at every handoff. This is also the moment to set expectations: mentioning outdoor amenities, common spaces, and what's available on the grounds plants the seed for engagement throughout the stay.

2. Personalize Beyond the Room

No amenity, technology, or design upgrade can compensate for poor service. Your staff is the living embodiment of your brand, and the way they interact with guests is the single biggest driver of satisfaction scores, reviews, and repeat bookings.

Consistency is the key word. Guests don't just want great service once; they want to count on it. Empower staff to resolve issues on the spot without escalating. Train for proactive service: the front desk agent who mentions the lawn chess set when a family checks in, the pool attendant who brings towels before they're requested. These moments feel effortless to guests and are completely trainable.

On personalization: Note room preferences, acknowledge special occasions, and remember a repeat guest's coffee order. Guests who feel personally recognized are dramatically more likely to return, and to tell others. It costs almost nothing but has an outsized impact. 

3. Invest in the Spaces Guests Actually Use

Most hospitality investment goes into the rooms, which makes sense because it's where guests sleep. But guests spend a significant portion of their waking hours outside the room: at breakfast, by the pool, in common areas, and on the grounds.

Pool decks, garden areas, and communal lawns are chronically underutilized in most properties. Guests walk through them; they rarely linger. The properties that create genuine dwell time in these outdoor spaces, through thoughtful seating, shade, activity anchors, and visual appeal, consistently see longer on-property engagement and more positive mentions in reviews.

4. Give Guests Something Worth Photographing

Guests document their stays. A striking outdoor feature, a playful installation, or an unexpected moment becomes content that reaches their entire social network at zero cost to the property. You can't buy that visibility, but you can design for it.

The amenities that generate the most organic content tend to share a few traits: they're visually interesting, interactive, and accessible to guests of all ages. Think oversized chess pieces standing four or six feet tall on a garden lawn: the kind of thing that stops a guest mid-walk and pulls out a phone before they've even decided to play.

They invite participation rather than passive observation, and they create the kind of shared moment between guests that people actually want to capture and share.

5. Add Amenities That Work for Every Guest

The amenities that drive the best reviews are almost always the ones that serve more than one type of guest. Business travelers book alone, but families travel together, and a multi-generational appeal is rare. A feature that a 10-year-old, a 40-year-old parent, and a 70-year-old grandparent can all genuinely enjoy is worth more than three separate amenities, each serving one segment.

MegaChess supplies a full suite of oversized lawn games that fit this mold, including:

• Giant chess sets

• Giant 4-in-a-row

• Giant checkers

• Giant tumble tower

• Cornhole

Each one is easy to set up, requires no instruction, and draws guests of all ages into a shared space; exactly the kind of experience that leads to a five-star review.

Why Giant Chess Sets Work So Well for Hotels

The shift from passive amenities (i.e., pools, fire pits) toward interactive ones is one of the clearest trends in hospitality right now. Guests, especially families, corporate groups, and multi-generational parties, want something to do together.

Here's why a giant chess set consistently delivers:

What Size Works Best for Your Space?

• Pool deck, patio, or courtyard → 25" to 38" king

• Resort lawn, hotel entrance, or large outdoor area → 38" to 49" king

The Perfect Giant Chess Set (26", 38", and 48" kings) is especially popular with upscale resorts and corporate campuses because it’s weatherproof, elegantly designed, and backed by a 3-year warranty.

The Plastic Giant Chess Set is ideal for high-traffic settings at a more accessible price point, and both lines are available with optional LED lighting for evening use.

Note: Boards are always sold separately, so factor that into your planning.

MegaChess: Built for Hotels, Loved by Guests

One of the most effective yet underestimated tools for improving hotel guest experiences is the use of life-size games.

As a seller of giant chess sets with over 18 years of experience supplying hotels, resorts, and commercial properties across the US and internationally, MegaChess has seen firsthand what happens when a well-placed oversized chess set goes in near a pool, garden, or courtyard: guests stop, gather, play, and photograph. It becomes the activity nobody planned for that everybody remembers.

Here's why property managers choose MegaChess:

• Durable, Built for Commercial Use: Our Plastic and Perfect giant chess sets are designed for high-traffic outdoor environments. They’re weatherproof, UV-resistant, and durable enough for daily use without staffing or upkeep.

• Organic Social Content: Every guest who photographs your giant chess set and posts it is extending your property's reach to their audience for free.

• Custom Branding Options: We offer logo and slogan engraving on both Plastic and Perfect sets, a subtle but effective way to reinforce your property's identity every time a guest engages with the piece.

Final Thoughts on Improving Hotel Guest Experiences

Improving your guests' experience doesn't require a massive renovation budget. It requires paying attention to the moments that matter most and making consistent, intentional improvements over time.

The five tips covered here aren't complicated, but executed well, they're the difference between a property guests forget and one they talk about for years.

Start with the amenities. They're often the highest-impact, lowest-effort change you can make. A giant chess set or a giant checkerboard is visual, social, multigenerational, and built to last. It's the kind of amenity that guests of all ages and skill levels gravitate toward, and that ends up in photos long after check-out.

Ready to add that kind of energy to your property? Browse our collection of popular giant games and see why resorts around the world are making them a signature part of the guest experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important factor in hotel guest experience?

Consistent service and thoughtful amenities. The properties that earn the strongest loyalty create genuine moments, like a staff member who remembers a name, an outdoor space that brings people together, and an activity that makes a family laugh.

How does outdoor space affect hotel guest experience?

Guests who engage with outdoor amenities stay on-property longer, spend more, and leave better reviews. A well-designed outdoor area with interactive elements, seating, lawn games, and a giant chess set transforms a functional space into a destination.

Are giant chess sets a good amenity for hotels?

Yes. They appeal to all ages, require no staff oversight, withstand all-weather outdoor conditions, and consistently generate social media content. Hotels, resorts, and cruise ships across the country use them as both a functional activity and a visual statement piece.