Advice for Overcoming Winter Challenges
- Rising Energy Costs:
With heating, lighting, and hot water usage peaking during winter months, hotels can invest in energy-efficient systems such as smart thermostats to automatically adjust room temperatures and reduce unnecessary heating, occupancy sensors, and LED lighting which can consume up to 80% less electricity. Locking in fixed-rate energy contracts and conducting HVAC maintenance can also help manage costs and avoid service disruptions. - Staffing Shortages:
Recruitment and retention is an ongoing challenge, particularly for front-of-house, kitchen, and housekeeping roles. Recommendations include offering flexible scheduling, seasonal bonuses, and cross-training programs. Partnering with local colleges and temporary staffing agencies can also help to fill gaps during peak periods. - Supply Chain Disruptions:
Hotels are facing longer lead times for critical supplies such as linen, toiletries, and seasonal décor due to global logistic bottlenecks. However, by placing winter orders early, diversifying suppliers and maintaining buffer stock for high-demand items can help hotels during this time. - Evolving Guest Expectations:
Today’s guests expect cosy, tech-enabled, and personalised winter experiences. Enhancements like seasonal menus, spa packages, smart room controls, guest messaging apps and mobile check-ins are becoming key differentiators. Sustainability also plays a growing role, with visible eco-initiatives increasingly influencing booking decisions. - Maintenance and Weather Risks:
Hotels can get ahead with some pre-winter inspections; insulating exposed pipes, developing contingency plans for extreme weather, snow and ice management, stocking up on de-icing supplies, along with a review of emergency power backup and staff safety protocols.
A Winter Operations Checklist for Hotels
A focused Winter Operations Plan can help hotels navigate the season, with a checklist including:
- Optimising energy efficiency across the property
- Preparing staff with seasonal training and updated protocols
- Securing and diversifying supply chains
- Enhancing guest comfort with warm décor and seasonal offerings
- Implementing energy-saving measures that guests will notice and appreciate
- Ensure all statutory H&S training and licensing training is refreshed
Sustainability throughout the Winter
Guests are increasingly seeking out hotels that demonstrate real environmental commitment, with properties responding by implementing practical changes such as refillable toiletries, low-flow fixtures, towel and linen reuse programs, and local food sourcing. Investing in energy-efficient appliances and ENERGY STAR-rated equipment in kitchens, laundry rooms, and guest areas can help establish more sustainable practices too. Hotels can add signage and digital displays to help communicate these efforts, boosting guest engagement and loyalty.
January: A Strategic Opportunity
The typically quieter month of January offers a valuable opportunity for hoteliers to regroup and reset, whether it’s a chance to roll out team strategy meetings, recognise high performance, plan staff leave, complete maintenance tasks, or review inventory and data systems.
