Lights, Camera, Action! How to Create Video Content That Drives Bookings in 2026
In today’s digital landscape, a hotel is no longer sold on location alone. Strong visual elements are what set you apart from other hotels. Along with high-quality photos, reels can transform your hotel marketing strategy. With 75% of travelers using social media to make travel destination decisions, it’s time to capture the attention of travelers with engaging reels.
Check out our tips on how to grab attention before it’s too late!
1. The Best Angles for Task-Based Narration: POV Storytelling
We’ve all seen the POV (Point-of-View) videos and you can never go wrong with a “POV your perfect day at *insert your hotel here.*” But can we elevate it? I think yes. Here’s how:
Task-Based Stories like “A Day in the Life.” - Craft a narrative around a guest’s perfect day at your hotel.
Document Local Experiences - Partner with an influencer and feature a local excursion.
Behind-The-Scenes Details - Showcase how you make the magic happen by documenting the artistry behind the details.
Episodic Storytelling - Release a series of short reels with recurring characters. Try something like “Getaway Tales,” and follow staff personalities or guest adventures.
People want to get to know personalities and feel part of a larger community. By showcasing local excursions and personalities, you’ll give your audience tangible experiences they can be excited about.
2. The Essentials: Room TOUR!
A room tour SHOULDN’T feel like a real estate listing. It should feel cozy and give people a taste of what to expect without an over-edited feel.
The Dos and Don’ts of Room Tours:
Don’t float through a room with a gimbal. It doesn’t feel immersive–it feels fake!
DO follow the guest journey: Open the door > Put the bag down > let them see the bed! > Pan to bathroom > Open the curtains and let them take in the view.
DO show people the room with people sitting on the bed or a laptop on the desk. Show the space in use without clutter to make it feel warm.
3. Capturing the Food and Beverage Experience
Food and Beverage is the ultimate scroll stopper, but only if it looks picture perfect!
How to Shoot F&B:
Sensory Close-Ups: Use slow-motion to capture sizzling sounds and steam rising from a dish. Show a cocktail being garnished with a catchy caption, and you have yourself a show stopper.
Bloopers: Don’t be afraid to play with the audience now and then, a silly “cocktail catastrophe” or behind-the-scenes look at the chaos that makes everything together.
Local Feature! Do you serve local food? Show the food’s journey from farm to table. For example, if you serve the catch of the day, film the fish’s journey from the boat to the plate. Show the people you mean business!
4. 2026 Trends to Follow
To stay ahead, here are some high-level concepts to keep in your calendar:
Emotional & Seasonal Concepts: Create content around specific moods, such as "hibernation getaways" or "digital detoxes," rather than just "rooms." Align your visuals with the year's rhythm—winter wellness, festive escapes, or summer barefoot luxury.
Authenticity over Polish: Platforms are prioritizing content that sparks conversation. So, show your staff's personality. Post the fun challenges (e.g., housekeeping vs. front desk in a bed-making race) and the genuine interactions. People connect with people, not marble countertops!
Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Magic: Reveal the artistry behind the luxury. A chef plating a signature dish, a florist arranging the lobby, or the engineering team maintaining the pool all build trust and humanize your brand.
Summary Checklist for Your Next Shoot
To ensure your video content works as hard as possible, keep this checklist in mind:
Show the Sequence: Do your POV and room tour videos flow naturally?
Include a CTA: End every video with a logo and a “Book Now” opportunity in the caption.
By shifting your focus from passive beauty to active engagement, your hotel’s video content will do more than get likes—it will fill rooms.
If you’re ready to have RevPar to upgrade your video content, give us a ring.