Resorts that win on experience don't just fill rooms; they build the kind of guest loyalty that no discount can buy. As traveler expectations continue to rise, properties that offer something genuinely memorable have a measurable edge over those competing on price alone.
The good news? You don't need a nine-figure renovation budget to deliver those moments. The right unique experiences to boost resort sales are often simpler, more visual, and more cost-effective than most property managers expect.
This guide breaks down six high-impact experiences worth adding to your property in 2026.
Why Investing in Guest Experiences Is the Smartest Revenue Strategy
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, as reported by Forbes, travel levels will increase an average of 5.8% through 2032, more than double the broader economic growth rate, making now an ideal time for resorts to invest in unique experiences that capture this growing demand.
Ancillary revenue already accounts for roughly 18% of total resort revenue, and that share is climbing. The experiences covered in this guide were selected because each drives measurable incremental revenue, differentiates the property from competitors, and scales without major operational overhead.
6 Unique Experiences to Boost Resort Sales
From interactive outdoor entertainment to personalized amenities and visually striking attractions, here are some ideas for guest experiences that create emotional connection, inspiring repeat bookings, stronger reviews, and more organic social media exposure.
Giant Outdoor Chess Sets
Few amenities combine visual impact, social engagement, and commercial durability the way a giant chess set does. Placed near a pool, garden, or communal lawn, a well-chosen set becomes an instant gathering point and the kind of thing guests photograph before they even sit down to play.
Why it works for resorts:
- No staff required to run it; guests self-organize naturally
- Appeals to all ages, from young children to senior guests
- Becomes a recognizable signature of your property's outdoor space
- Durable enough for daily commercial use with minimal maintenance
What to look for in a commercial-grade set:
|
Feature |
Why It Matters for Resorts |
|
UV and weather resistance |
Withstands year-round outdoor exposure |
|
Lightweight pieces |
Guests of all ages and abilities can participate |
|
Commercial-grade durability |
Survives high-traffic use without constant replacement |
|
Size options |
Match the scale of your outdoor space |
|
Logo/branding capability |
Reinforces property identity in every guest photo |
For resorts considering long-term, permanent installations, Plastic and Perfect sets are the recommended choice because they’re durable, low-maintenance, and built for exactly this kind of high-traffic outdoor use.
LED Game Nights by the Pool
When the sun goes down, most resort outdoor spaces go quiet. LED game installations change that equation entirely.
Light up oversized games like chess and cornhole can transform a poolside area into an evening entertainment hub that requires no staffing, no programming budget, and no scheduled activities. Guests find it, gather around it, and the night takes care of itself.
What makes LED games a smart resort investment:
- Creates a "wow moment" that's almost guaranteed to be photographed and shared
- Extends guest dwell time on the property during evening hours
- Pairs naturally with poolside food and beverage service, directly supporting ancillary revenue
- Available as an add-on to existing Plastic and Perfect giant chess sets; no need to replace what you already have
Signature Wellness and Spa Packages
Wellness is one of the fastest-growing drivers of resort selection. Guests aren't just looking for a massage; they're looking for a program that feels curated, intentional, and specific to your property.
High-performing wellness experience formats:
- Bundled packages: Combine accommodation with spa treatments, fitness classes, and healthy dining for a single bookable rate
- Seasonal Wellness Programming: detox retreats in January, outdoor yoga series in summer, stress-relief packages around major holidays
- Local and Natural Tie-Ins: Use your geography; mineral springs, mountain air, ocean proximity, or local botanicals as the narrative anchor
Pet-Friendly Experiences
Pet travel is no longer a niche segment. A growing share of travelers, particularly millennials and Gen X, consider their pets family members and make booking decisions accordingly. Resorts that accommodate this shift don't just attract pet owners; they earn their fierce loyalty.
What a genuine pet-friendly experience looks like:
- Dedicated welcome amenities for pets (bed, treats, water bowl) waiting in the room
- On-property walking routes or designated off-leash areas
- Pet-sitting or dog-walking services available on request
- Staff trained to welcome and interact with guest animals warmly
Pet-friendly options are still genuinely scarce at the resort level. Guests who find a property that does it well, and does it enthusiastically, not grudgingly, almost always come back. The switching cost for them is high: finding another property that welcomes their pet at the same standard is difficult, so loyalty comes almost automatically.
Creative Installations That Market Themselves
Some amenities earn their keep not through direct revenue but through the marketing value they generate. A striking, photogenic installation, whether it's a giant chess set in a sculpted garden or a neon art piece in a lobby corridor, becomes a social media asset that works around the clock.
The compounding value of shareable installations:
Every guest photo posted publicly is an organic impression delivered to that guest's entire network; people who trust that recommendation far more than any paid advertisement. A single installation that generates consistent social sharing can produce thousands of impressions per month at zero ongoing cost.
What makes an installation "self-marketing":
- It's visually distinctive and immediately recognizable as your property
- It invites interaction rather than just observation
- It photographs well from multiple angles in natural light
- It's present year-round, not just during scheduled programming
Custom logo branding and personalized color options, available on fiberglass sets, take this further by embedding your property's identity directly into the installation itself.
Gamified Loyalty Perks That Drive Repeat Bookings
Loyalty programs work best when they feel like a game rather than a points spreadsheet. Guests who feel rewarded and recognized don't just return; they become advocates.
High-performing gamified loyalty formats for resorts:
|
Format |
How It Works |
|
Activity-based point earning |
Guests earn points for participating in on-property experiences, not just spending money |
|
Milestone rewards |
Unlock room upgrades, complimentary experiences, or F&B credits at booking milestones |
|
Surprise and delight triggers |
Random reward moments ("You're our 10th guest this week to play lawn chess, here's a complimentary cocktail") |
|
Social sharing incentives |
Guests who tag the property receive a small perk on their next stay |
Gamification works because it makes the guest feel seen as an individual rather than a booking number. The emotional payoff of earning or unlocking something is disproportionately powerful relative to its cost.
How to Choose Resort Activities That Actually Drive Sales
The right mix of experiences depends entirely on who your guests are, what physical assets your property holds, and what your competitors are missing. This four-step framework helps prioritize where to invest first among the best hotel revenue-generating ideas available to any resort in 2026.
Step 1: Guest Demographic Audit
Pull your booking history to identify your top two or three guest segments by volume and spend. Layer in post-stay survey data to understand what guests wished had been available; this tells you which experiences have a ready audience and which would require building demand from scratch.
Step 2: Location and Asset Inventory
List every physical asset your property holds, such as gardens, beaches, open lawns, and historic buildings, and map each one to a potential experience. The strongest starting points are experiences that activate what you already own at low incremental cost.
Step 3: Competitive Experience Audit
Review the websites, OTA listings, and recent guest reviews of your three to five closest competitors. The gaps you find, no lawn games, no installations, not pet-friendly, are your clearest differentiation opportunities.
Step 4: ROI Prioritization
Score each shortlisted experience on revenue potential, operational complexity, and speed to launch. Prioritize high-impact, low-complexity options first, then track performance using ancillary revenue per guest night and repeat booking rates tied to experience participation.
How MegaChess Brings Resort Experiences to Life
Resorts around the world have made giant chess and oversized lawn games a centerpiece of their outdoor guest experience, and MegaChess is the company behind most of them.
As the original seller of giant chess sets in North America and the holder of approximately 85% of the US giant chess set market, we have been supplying commercial-grade outdoor installations to hotels, resorts, cruise ships, and corporate campuses since 2007.
What sets us apart:
- Built for Commercial Use: Our sets are designed for high-traffic, unsupervised daily use, not occasional backyard play
- Diverse Size Range: We offer king pieces from 8 inches to 72 inches, with board configurations to match any lawn, terrace, or garden footprint
- Customizable Branding Options: Get laser-engraved or printed branding available on Plastic and Perfect sets, turning every guest photo into a branded impression
To get a quote or explore options for your property, contact the MegaChess team at info@megachess.com or call 855-634-2055. For international properties, include your exact shipping address, required items, and target delivery date. Our team responds within one business day.
Ready to browse? Purchase one of our giant chess sets or browse our LawnGames™ collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best low-maintenance outdoor experiences for resorts?
Giant lawn game installations, particularly oversized chess, checkers, and tumble tower, are among the strongest low-maintenance options available. They require no staffing, scheduling, or consumables. Guests self-organize naturally, and the sets are built to withstand daily commercial use in outdoor environments year-round.
How do unique resort amenities increase revenue?
They work through several mechanisms simultaneously: extending guest dwell time on property (which increases F&B spend), generating organic social media content that drives future bookings, differentiating the property from competitors on OTA listings and review sites, and building the emotional loyalty that produces repeat bookings.
What size giant chess set is best for a resort or hotel?
It depends on your available space. As a general guide:
|
Space Type |
Recommended King Size |
Board Square Size |
|
Compact terrace or courtyard |
16"-24" King |
8-12 inch squares |
|
Mid-size lawn or garden |
36"-48" King |
18-24 inch squares |
|
Large outdoor area or park |
48"-72" King |
24-inch squares |
Explore our Giant Chess Set Buying Guide for more guidance!
Do giant chess sets come with a board?
No, boards are always sold separately. This is advantageous for resorts, as it allows the board size to be configured precisely to match your available outdoor space, rather than being fixed by the set itself.