5 Hotel Marketing Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Okay, let’s not sugarcoat it—online marketing for hotels is a jungle these days.

You’ve got flashy competitors, platforms changing every month, guests who scroll past in two seconds… and everyone expecting Wi-Fi, breakfast, and personality. It’s a lot.

But here’s the kicker—many hotels (even great ones) are blowing it online. Not because they’re bad at hospitality. Because they’re treating digital like it’s 2012.

And in 2025? That’s a quick way to lose bookings, visibility, and trust.

A report by Statista said travel ad spending worldwide hit $6.79 billion in 2024. Translation? You’re not just competing with the hotel down the road. You’re up against smart, tech-savvy brands from everywhere.

So, let’s dive into the 5 hotel marketing mistakes that are costing you—and how to stop the bleeding.

Mistake 1: Your Content Is… Just Meh

I mean, really. Another wide shot of an empty bed with perfect pillows? Snooze.

📸 No life, no vibe

People don’t book hotel rooms—they book experiences. That means they wanna see laughter by the pool, coffee steam in the morning light, a sleepy dog on the patio. The real stuff.

Think about it: When’s the last time a polished brochure pic made you feel something?

🎥 No video = no eyeballs

In 2025, short-form video is everything. Instagram Reels, TikToks, 10-second “day in the life” clips. That’s where attention lives.Ignoring mobile-friendly websites is one of the biggest hotel marketing mistakes in 2025.

👉 Instead of one big polished promo, shoot a few quick raw moments: your chef plating breakfast, a storm rolling in over the view, a guest smiling at check-in.

Because, yeah. People scroll fast.

🤳 Still not using guest content?

This one hurts. Your guests are doing the marketing for you—for free. But if you’re not encouraging them to tag you, or reposting their stuff? You’re missing gold.

Mistake 2: You’re Invisible on Google

And not just on page two. Some hotels can’t even be found with their full name.

🔍 No long-tail keywords? Good luck.

Nobody types “nice hotel.” They type: “affordable family hotel near Manchester with parking.”

👉 Use long-tail SEO keywords like that naturally in your site copy. It doesn’t have to sound robotic. Just real.Poor use of guest-generated content ranks high among common hotel marketing mistakes.

Example: “Looking for a pet-friendly hotel in Leeds with easy parking? We’ve got you covered.”

📍Your Google Business listing is a ghost town

Outdated photos. Wrong hours. No recent reviews. That stuff hurts you more than you think.

👉 Keep it updated. Ask every happy guest to leave a review. Add new photos every month. Google loves that.

🐌 Slow website = game over

If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load on mobile, it’s toast. People bounce. Booking lost.

Use PageSpeed Insights to see where you stand. Or better yet, get a pro like Digileap to fix what’s dragging your site down.

Mistake 3: Email? Either Too Cold or Totally Forgotten

Email still works. But not the way most hotels use it.

📬 One email fits all? Nope.

Sending the same boring “20% off this weekend!” to your full list? It’s a fast track to the spam folder.

👉 Segment your guests. Talk to business travelers one way. Couples another. Locals? Totally different angle.

💤 No automation? You’re missing money.

Every time someone books, signs up, or leaves a review—you should be following up.

“Thanks for staying. Here’s 3 hidden gems near us.”

“Planning another trip? Use this 15% code just for you.”

Feels personal. Because it is.

🧊 Your voice sounds like a robot

“We hope this message finds you well.” Yawn.

Try this:

“Hey, we miss you. There’s a new rooftop bar since your last visit—just sayin’ 😉”

Email is a conversation. Not a billboard.

Mistake 4: You’re Social… But Not Strategic

🎯 No plan = no results

If you’re just posting random sunset pics or reposting last year’s Valentine’s deal, you’re not really doing social.

👉 Make a calendar. Have themes. Mix video, stories, photos, tips, guest shoutouts. Don’t wing it.

🤝 No influencer or micro-collab game

Real talk: You don’t need someone with 1M followers. You need five people with 5K local followers who actually care.

Offer a free stay or dinner in exchange for content. Real, authentic, local exposure > big numbers.

Statista says influencer marketing hit $29.2 billion in 2024. So yeah, it’s working.

📱 Still not on TikTok or Pinterest?

That’s where Gen Z finds places to stay. And they book based on vibes, not stars.

Repackage your content. Turn your photo gallery into Pins. Turn guest reviews into 7-second TikToks.

Be where the scroll is.

Mistake 5: You’re Not Tracking Anything

📉 Guessing ≠ strategy

If you don’t know what posts get clicks, what pages convert best, or what ads bring bookings… then you’re guessing.

👉 Use Google Analytics. Facebook Pixel. Instagram Insights. Watch the data. It tells you what your guests care about.

🧪 No testing = no growth

Change your headline. Switch your call-to-action. Test “Book Now” vs “Plan Your Stay.”

A/B testing isn’t fancy. It’s just smart.

🔁 Same campaign all year?

Seasons matter. Messaging matters. Running the same copy for summer break and winter business travel? That’s lazy—and people can tell.

👉 Rotate your promos. Try urgency, then charm. Test it all.

Conclusion: Get Ahead Before You Fall Behind

You could have the most stunning ocean view in town—blue skies, crashing waves, the works. But here’s the thing: if your hotel’s online presence is sloppy or outdated, people won’t even make it to the photos. They’ll bounce. In 2025, it’s not just about where your hotel is—it’s about how you show up online.Hotels lose bookings when they repeat the same hotel marketing mistakes without tracking results.

These days, people scroll past faster than they swipe a keycard. So yeah, being online matters—but staying relevant? That’s what gets bookings. Whether you’re running a quiet little inn in York or a busy tower in Liverpool, the real win is this: saying the right thing, to the right people, at just the right moment.

And if you’re wondering how to pull this all together without burning out your in-house team? That’s where Digileap can help. Their hospitality-focused digital marketing services are tailored for real estate developers, hotel owners, and tourism brands looking to scale their reach and bookings—without guesswork.

For more digital marketing resources tailored to hotels, visit Think with Google’s Travel Marketing Hub or stay updated with Statista’s hospitality industry reports.