Fauchon L’Hôtel Paris survey highlights luxury travelers’ demand for sense of place, warm service, and wellness amenities, while loyalty programs lose influence
Fauchon L’Hôtel Paris, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, has unveiled fresh insights from a new survey of luxury travel advisors, revealing how client expectations are evolving in today’s competitive hospitality market.
Authenticity tops the list. In a unanimous finding, advisors reported that clients now want hotels with a distinctive “authentic sense of place,” rejecting cookie-cutter brand design. Once, travelers craved consistency; today, they crave originality.
Booking factors vs. post-trip memories. While 97.5% of advisors said location is the most important factor at the booking stage, 60% of client feedback after a trip revolves around “warm and welcoming service” — compared to only 21% who mention location.
Offers that matter. Seven in ten advisors said clients value a complimentary night most, with a VIP amenity close behind. Room discounts, food-and-beverage perks, and enhanced commission trailed as secondary motivators.
Social media and loyalty take a back seat. Despite hotels’ investments in digital channels, only 30% of clients request a property they’ve seen on social media, and just 1.3% consistently prioritize loyalty programs.
Wellness leads the must-haves. Spa services and fitness centers (56.3% each) ranked highest among facility requests, followed by 24-hour room service and fine dining. This underscores the strong pull of wellness in shaping luxury travel choices.
Celebration travel remains strong. Nine in ten advisors confirmed clients are booking more trips to mark milestones and special occasions, often with longer stays than before the pandemic.
To reflect these insights, L’Hôtel Paris will unveil new Festive 2025 stay packages rooted in cultural and destination-oriented experiences, alongside expanded spa offerings to meet growing demand.
Key Survey Results
What experiences do clients look for when choosing a vacation?
- Cultural Experiences – 87.5%
- Unique Destination-oriented Experiences – 85%
- Family options, relaxation, safe destinations – 1.3% each
Do clients typically dine at their hotel?
- Sometimes – 73.8%
- Yes – 23.8%
- No – 2.4%
Length of stays compared to last year:
- About the same – 66.3%
- Longer than usual – 32.5%
- Shorter – 1.3%
Do clients request hotels with loyalty programs?
- Sometimes – 59.8%
- No – 35%
- Most of the time – 5%
- Yes – 1.3%
Which loyalty perks matter most?
- Points for future stays – 42.5%
- Room rate discount – 28.7%
- Food & beverage benefits – 22.5%
- Spa benefits – 2.5%
- VIP recognition/status – lowest ranking
Are clients traveling more to celebrate since the pandemic?
- Yes – 90%
- No – 10%
Top hotel “must-haves”:
- Spa Services – 56.3%
- Fitness Center – 56.3%
- 24-hour Room Service – 51.2%
- Fine Dining Restaurant – 46.3%
Facilities with <2% response: Concierge, bar, breakfast included, in-room coffee, dual sinks, location near top sights, multiple dining options.
Have clients booked a hotel after seeing it on social media?
- Sometimes – 43.8%
- Yes – 30%
- No – 15%
- More and more – 11.2%
At a Glance
- Authenticity over uniformity: 100% prioritize sense of place
- Booking vs. feedback: Location matters at booking, but service defines the memory
- Top offer: Complimentary night (70%)
- Wellness leads: Spa + fitness center tied at 56.3%
- Celebration travel: 90% booking more milestone trips
Also read Expedia Group’s 2025 Traveler Value Index Signals a Shift in Consumer Priorities
