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What is hotel positioning? And who decides what the positioning of your hotel is? Understanding hotel positioning is paramount for independent hoteliers striving for success.

In this insightful blog post, we delve into the intricacies of hotel positioning — answering the fundamental questions of WHAT it entails and WHO holds the reins in determining your hotel's positioning strategy. Let’s get started!

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Learn how to successfully position your hotel on the global map
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The importance of strategic hotel positioning for independent hotel businesses MAp Boutique Consultancy
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What is hotel positioning?

As you see in the following illustration, defining a hotel’s positioning is an essential part of every hotel concept we create at MAp Boutique Consultancy.

Once we know what your hotel’s unique Purpose is, and for which People your hotel exists, we embark on defining your hotel’s unique position on the MAp.

The importance of strategic hotel positioning for independent hotel businesses

Our hotel clients always get excited about this hotel positioning exercise. But, there is a small “downer” you should know: even if we strive to achieve a clear and unique hotel positioning, ultimately it is not us who decides what the hotel positioning is. The hotel positioning is defined by your People, above all, your guests, and this implies that your control over your hotel positioning is limited.

The importance of strategic hotel positioning for independent hotel businesses

This triangle is called the “Strategic Triangle” that serves to identify long-term business advantages or, as we call it, success potential. Sometimes it is also called the 3C Model, showing the tension field and interplay (therefore we use a triangle) that consists between Customer, Competitor and Company.

And: hotel positioning is the image (place) you own in the minds of your guests, when they compare your hotel with the hotels of your competitors.

If you aren’t different, then you’re in trouble

Now that you understand what hotel positioning is, let’s walk step-by-step in how we at MAp define a hotel’s unique positioning. The fact is, we are experiencing a crowded marketplace. Therefore, we aim to achieve a hotel positioning that:

  • Focuses on relevancy
  • Focuses on differentiation from competition
  • Is credible and attainable
  • Finds a place on the MAp where you / your services are the only answer for a specific someone Now as the last sentence implies, to create your unique hotel positioning you MUST DEFINE for WHOM you are working / WHO this specific someone is.

Only if you have your defined buyer personas ready (= your target guests) you can answer an important question: How do you find your unique position on the MAp? Therefore, if you haven’t defined your buyer personas yet – now’s the time to do it!

Even if we strive to achieve a clear and unique hotel positioning,
ultimately it is not us who decides what the hotel positioning is – it’s the guest.
@weareMAp

Finding your unique position on the MAp

Next, you have to know on which MAp to position your hotel. When working with clients, we like to use a simple and effective positioning matrix. For the purposes of this blog post, let’s keep it simple, and that means you should decide if your MAp is i.e. boutique luxury hotels, family hotels, boutique city hotels, etc.

Once you have defined in which segment to position your hotel, most often you’ll realise that you’re not the first to do so! Even if you’re tapping into a growing market and seeking to serve your specific audience better than your competitors, our MAp advice is to keep digging and to add a further niche into the mix. And, of course, to strive to add something new and exciting to the segment and the hospitality landscape at large. 

How to create a positioning statement

Once you’ve defined your position on the MAp, it’s time to put it down in words. You can do so by crafting a hotel positioning statement. We’ll give you MAp’s positioning statement as an example.

MAp Boutique Consultancy

TO… Innovative investors and boutique hoteliers that need direction, empowerment and support in getting their ventures off the ground, levelling up and setting a strong foundation for growth

MAp IS… the leader in developing and empowering sustainable and innovative hotels and brands

THAT… makes hotels matter by creating a better future for People and Planet.

What’s yours?

TO… __________________________ (target audience / buyer personas) ________(your hotel) IS… __________________________ (your position on the map) THAT… __________________________ (what you will do for your target audience / buyer personas)

And another blog post comes to an end. Maybe we can summarise what we’ve learned today about hotel positioning best with a quote from Simon Sinek:

“In order to stand out, we have to know what we stand for.”

We hope that after our time together, what YOU stand for is much clearer. And if not, please do not hesitate to contact us in order to find your unique hotel positioning on the MAp.

 

Hotelmarketing

We market your innovative and sustainable hotel

Through our hotel marketing services, we position your independent and boutique hotel on the global MAp – in a unique, sustainable and authentic way.

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The importance of strategic hotel positioning for independent hotel businesses MAp Boutique Consultancy

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Setting up a next-generation hotelier for success with a sporty new concept.

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paloria apartments & sport MA people MAP Boutique Consultancy
Location
South Tyrol, Italy
Timeline
2016 - ongoing
Type
Aparthotel
Purpose
To enable people to live their peak life
# of Rooms
14
# of Stars
4*
Tag it
#Paloria #UpUpUp #HotelConcept #HotelBranding #SustainableHotel
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The place for sport #UpUpUp

Destination

Destination

  • Fresh and cool aparthotel concept fitting for a new generation of travellers and athletes
  • New aparthotel brand identity and collateral in keeping with the concept
  • New-and-improved hotel website
  • Sustainable initiatives that create real impact
  • Successful launch of new paloria with support of MAp

paloria apartments & sport MA people MAP Boutique Consultancy

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paloria apartments & sport MA people MAP Boutique Consultancy

#UpUpUp

It was a pleasure to work closely with Julia in bringing her sporty vision for paloria to life. We invite athletes and outdoor adventurers to this fine accommodation in order to experience the best of what South Tyrol has to offer. 

In this amazing apartment we quite literally were able to

relax, lean back and recharge fully.

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Opening up a new chapter of barefoot island living.

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Milhaidoo Island MA people MAP Boutique Consultancy
Location
Republic of Maldives
Timeline
2015 - 2016
Type
Boutique luxury resort
Purpose
To tell the unique story of a small island
# of Rooms
50
# of Stars
5*
Tag it
#StoryOfASmallIsland #MilaidhooIsland #HotelConcept #HotelBranding #HotelMarketing
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The story of a small island

Destination

Destination

  • Holistic resort concept that reinvented luxury 
  • Resort brand strategy coupled with compelling brand identity
  • Guidance and insights on how to execute branding activities
  • Clear positioning in order to reach and attract defined target audience
  • Direction for Milhaidoo team on how to plan, execute, monitor and evaluate sales, marketing and social media activities 


Awards + Accolades

  • TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2020: Best of the Best
  • Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
  • Golden Panther Award 2018: Best Beach Resort
  • Connoisseur Circle Hospitality Awards 2018: Best Hospitality Resort in the Indian Ocean
  • Harper's Bazaar - Bazaar Travel Guide 2018: The Best Islands
  • Condé Nast Johansens Luxury Hotels Award: Winner 2018
  • Elle UK: The 13 Most Beautiful Overwater Bungalows in the World

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#StoryOfASmallIsland

We are honoured to have been given the chance to co-create the story of a small island along with a pioneering visionary of an owner and experienced team. We look forward to the many chapters ahead for this incredible resort.

You are the priority here and much like the water surrounding the island, the property moulds itself around you.

The best way to describe the experience is that it is human.

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Taking a sustainable, family-run hotel to the next level.

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Locanda Mistral - MA people MAP Boutique Consultancy
Location
Valle Maira, Italy
Timeline
2019 - ongoing
Type
Sustainable, family-run hotel
Purpose
To enable guests to experience nature at its best and in the most authentic way
# of Rooms
14
# of Stars
3*
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A jewel of tradition, sustainability and hospitality

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#EnjoyTheSilence

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Felderer Boutiquehotel MA people MAP Boutique Consultancy
Location
South Tyrol, Italy
Timeline
2018 - ongoing
Type
Boutique hotel
Purpose
To create a stylish oasis of tranquillity and peace for the modern traveller
# of Rooms
22
# of Stars
4*
Tag it
#FeldererBoutiqueHotel #StyleAndSoul #HotelBranding #HotelConcept
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A boutique hotel for all senses. A boutique hotel with style and soul.

Destination

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  • Successful launch of the new boutique hotel concept and brand

Felderer Boutiquehotel

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#StyleAndSoul

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A fantastic place to take a deep breath

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Haritha Villas + SPA - MAp Boutique Consultancy MAp
Location
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Timeline
2017 - 2019
Type
Luxury boutique hotel
Purpose
To deliver the finest levels of luxury in Sri Lanka
# of Rooms
7 villas + 2 mansions
# of Stars
5*
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#HarithaVillas #LuxuryLifestyle #BoutiqueHotel #HotelConcept #HotelBranding
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Awards + Accolades

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  • World Luxury Spa Awards 2020 – Winner
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  • Travel & Style – The TOP 50 Luxury Hotel Openings worldwide of 2019
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#LuxuryLifestyle

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Cyprus
Timeline
2020 - ongoing
Type
Smart design hotel concept + brand
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To empower people to live their best lives
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# of Stars
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Tag it
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the NEW Maldives.

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Kandima Maldives MA people MAP Boutique Consultancy
Location
Republic of Maldives
Timeline
2014 - 2018
Type
Lifestyle resort
Purpose
To change the game
# of Rooms
272 rooms, 10 FnB outlets
# of Stars
5*
Tag it
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Welcome to the NEW Maldives!

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Awards + Accolades

  • Member of HIP HOTELS
  • Agoda – Gold Circle Award
  • Luxury Lifestyle Magazine Readers’ Travel Awards 2019 – Runner-up: The Best Hotel In Asia category
  • South Asian Travel Awards 2019 – Leading F&B Resort - Maldives
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Video URL

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#OhSoKool

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