Spas are a major factor in hotel choice, survey reveals

The FINANCIAL — More than half of international travellers will base their choice of hotel on whether it has a spa, a survey has revealed.

According to a new global report from Hilton, which questioned 6,000 guests across the UK, USA, Australia and China, a spa is a major influence on hotel guests.

As Caterer and Hotelkeeper reported, nearly half (45%) of those questioned said they are more likely to book a spa with a hotel. The figure is slightly lower among UK consumers, 37% of whom said it would impact their choice of hotel.

However, more than two-thirds of guests would be at least "somewhat likely to use the spa if one was offered at their hotel".

When asked about spa-going habits closer to home, a third of UK consumers said they would be more likely to visit a nearby hotel spa if it offered a local membership programme.

Dave Horton, global head of Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said: "This new research emphasises the importance of spas in the decision to book a hotel stay, particularly in the rapidly expanding Chinese market."