As travellers plan their getaways, social media becomes the modern-day travel brochure. From stunning resort views on Instagram to family-friendly getaways on Facebook, your guests are constantly scrolling, dreaming, and deciding where to stay next.
For hotels, this is the perfect moment to shine. But standing out online during peak season takes more than just beautiful photos, it requires strategy, timing, and authenticity.
Here’s how to make social media your hotel’s most powerful marketing channel this peak season.
7 Social Media Tips to Boost Your Hotel Bookings This Peak Season
1) Plan Ahead with a Seasonal Content Calendar
Peak season means peak competition. Having a social media calendar in place ensures you’re posting consistently, not scrambling to create content when bookings start flowing in.
Tips for effective planning:
- Identify key travel dates and holidays for your region.
- Map out content themes for each week (e.g., “Relaxation Week,” “Family Escapes,” or “Weekend Specials”).
- Mix promotional posts with lifestyle, guest stories, and local experiences.
Content mix idea:
- 40% – Experience-driven (what makes your hotel unique)
- 30% – Social proof (guest reviews, user-generated content)
- 20% – Promotions and packages
- 10% – Fun, behind-the-scenes or festive content
2) Tell Stories, Not Just Sell Stays
Travellers don’t connect with “book now” posts, they connect with stories. Share what makes your property special: your people, your surroundings, your community.
Story ideas that perform well:
- “A Day in the Life” — spotlight your staff or local partners.
- Guest moments — share real experiences and testimonials.
- “Behind the Scenes” — show how your team prepares for the festive rush or holiday décor setups.
- Local stories — feature nearby attractions, traditions, or seasonal foods.
Tone matters: Keep it conversational, relatable, and visually consistent with your brand.
3) Maximise User-Generated Content (UGC)
Guests love sharing their experiences online — and that’s free marketing for your hotel. Encourage and celebrate their content to boost trust and reach.
How to encourage UGC:
- Create a branded hashtag (e.g. #StayAtTheSunset).
- Run a small giveaway for the best photos tagged with your hotel.
- Repost guest stories (with permission) on your feed or stories.
- Feature “Guest of the Week” or “Photo of the Month.”
When guests see others enjoying your property, it adds credibility and inspires bookings.
STAAH Tip: Always tag and credit the guest, authenticity builds community.
4) Ride the Wave of Social Trends
Social media moves fast, trends come and go in days. But hotels that use trends strategically can gain serious attention.
How to do it right:
- Follow trending audio, hashtags, and Reels/TikTok styles — adapt them to your brand.
- Showcase real-life experiences (arrival, breakfast spread, poolside vibe).
- Use trending formats — like “Expectation vs Reality” or “Before & After Check-In.”
- Keep it genuine — don’t force trends that don’t suit your hotel’s personality.
Example:
A beachfront resort could use a trending audio to show the transformation from check-in to sunset dinner with the caption, “This is what peak season looks like at [Your Hotel Name].”
5) Boost Reach with Smart Ad Campaigns
Even the best content needs a little push. Running targeted ads ensures your property reaches travellers actively planning their next trip.
Smart ad strategies:
- Target by interest (beach holidays, romantic getaways, city breaks).
- Use lookalike audiences based on past guests.
- Retarget website visitors or abandoned bookings.
- Promote time-sensitive offers (e.g., “Early Bird Holiday Packages” or “Festive Stay Deals”).
Keep visuals vibrant and messages short, focus on the experience, not the price.
6) Collaborate for More Reach
Collaborations bring new audiences and social proof. Partner with local influencers, tour operators, or nearby attractions to co-create content that benefits both sides.
Ideas for collaborations:
- Invite local creators for a “Stay & Share” weekend.
- Team up with nearby cafés, spas, or adventure companies to feature joint experiences.
- Run co-branded giveaways (“Win a weekend getaway + dinner for two”).
Why it works:
Collaborations add authenticity, showcase your hotel’s environment, and give followers new reasons to engage.
7) Keep the Conversation Going
Social media is not a one-way broadcast, it’s a dialogue. Reply to comments, reshare guest stories, and join travel-related conversations to stay visible in your community.
Tips for active engagement:
- Reply quickly to questions about rates or availability.
- Thank guests who post about your hotel.
- Comment on travel trends or destination posts to join the conversation.
- Use story polls or question boxes to invite interaction (“Which view would you pick, Pool or Garden?”).
Hotels that engage actively appear more approachable and human, a key factor in winning traveller trust.
Social media is where travellers dream, decide, and share. Your job as a hotelier is to be present in that moment, through storytelling, engagement, and consistency.
As the next peak season approaches, remember:
- Plan ahead.
- Tell authentic stories.
- Showcase experiences, not just rooms.
Because the most successful hotel brands aren’t the ones shouting the loudest, they’re the ones building real connections, one post at a time.
