Creative ways hotels are using gift cards and retailing in 2025
Key takeaways:
- Gift cards fuel innovative hotel experiences
- Partnerships expand visibility and revenue streams
- Local culture creates authentic guest experiences
- Themed events transform stays into stories
SynXis Retailing
SynXis Retailing brings the full power of retailing to hospitality, enabling hotels to drive total revenue by selling their unique offers during any stage of the guest journey.
Hotels across the world are turning gift cards, vouchers and retailing into powerful tools for growth. Gone are the days when a hotel gift card meant nothing more than a one-night stay. Today, it could mean mooncakes that make headlines, a jazz night in a speakeasy lounge, or even a silk pajama collection that guests can’t stop talking about. With the right gift card solution, hoteliers can expand their hotel revenue streams while creating experiences guests can’t get anywhere else.
Ready for some inspiration? Let’s explore creative ways hotels are reinventing retailing in 2025.
Turn your hotel into a luxury classroom
Think of it as an excursion or an Airbnb Experience but within the comfort of your hotel. A five-star property we work with offers pie-making classes where guests roll up their sleeves, bake pastries, and can even try the pie of the month. Another luxury property designed a historical wine-tasting masterclass that pairs stories of Winston Churchill with bubbles of Pol Roger Champagne.
The lesson? Learning sells. Guests love taking something home — not just a souvenir, but a skill or memory they can show off. A gift card solution tied to these experiences makes them easy to purchase, gift, and rebook, instantly creating new hotel revenue streams.
Partnerships that pay off
One property partnered with a high-end designer to create a pajama set that sells for nearly $1,000 — and they’re flying off the shelves. By collaborating with well-known brands, hotels tap into fresh audiences and double their visibility. The designer promotes it, the hotel promotes it, and the guests rush to buy.
Think of this as co-branding meets hotel retailing. By leaning into partnerships, hotels not only expand their shop offerings but also reach entirely new audiences. Imagine limited-edition sneakers with a local artist, a candle line crafted with a regional perfumer, or even a chef collaboration that creates a signature spice blend. When packaged with vouchers or gift cards, these products don’t just boost revenue — they turn your hotel into a lifestyle brand.
Turning local culture into your hotel’s best souvenir
Guests no longer want to simply “stay” at a hotel — they want to experience the destination. That’s where hotels have a powerful opportunity: curating experiences that let travelers immerse themselves in the culture without ever straying far from their booking.
One five-star hotel brings Antwerp’s artistic heritage right to their guests. After a warm welcome drink, visitors explore the world-famous Royal Museum of Fine Arts, home to masterpieces. The experience is capped off with a locally inspired breakfast featuring artisanal cheeses, fresh breads, and Belgian delicacies. What could have been “just another night at a hotel” transforms into a cultural deep-dive that guests remember long after checkout.
Another luxury customer took immersion a step further by recreating the Golden Age of travel. Guests board a restored British Pullman train, sip champagne, and indulge in a seasonal five-course meal while countryside views glide past. Throw in surprise entertainment and the opportunity to “dress the part,” and suddenly the hotel has created a revenue-driving experience that’s as much about nostalgia as it is about dining.
In New York, a property carved out its niche with a speakeasy-style jazz club. Guests book a table for two, enjoy a live performance, and toast the night away with champagne and small plates. Meanwhile, a property in Asia leaned into its culinary heritage, combining a multi-course dinner with a live Thai cultural performance — blending food, art, and storytelling into one unforgettable package.
What ties these together? Each experience showcases local culture in a way that feels authentic, while also being highly “retailable.” With the right voucher or gift card solution, these experiences are not only marketable to guests but also to friends and families looking for unique gifts. Culture isn’t just an add-on…it’s a new stream of revenue waiting to be tapped.
Out-of-the-box themes
Not every guest wants “standard luxury.” One creative hotel designed a spy-themed cocktail experience where mixologists pair drinks with secret agent stories. Guests leave with not only full stomachs, but also unforgettable brag-worthy memories.
Unique, quirky themes can be monetized directly through hotel retailing. With vouchers in the mix, guests can gift these themed nights to friends or even book them before they arrive.
Branded keepsakes guests can’t lead without
If your hotel has history or a strong name, leverage it. A luxury property with a strong brand identity created a retail line including robes, tote bags, trendy patches, and even a high-end silk dress. These items fly off the shelves because they connect guests to the story of the property long after checkout.
Pairing iconic keepsakes with a gift card solution makes it simple for guests (or their loved ones) to relive the experience again and again.
When brunch becomes the main event
Brunch priced at nearly 200 euros may sound over the top, but guests are lining up for it. Why? Presentation. When luxury dining is marketed as an experience — and tied into pre-booking flows or vouchers — guests don’t hesitate to splurge.
Food remains one of the most reliable ways to increase hotel revenue streams, and retailing special dining moments is a simple way to elevate spend-per-stay.
Take-home snacks
One customer turned mooncakes — a traditional Mid-Autumn Festival treat — into a seasonal sensation, selling over 10,000 boxes in their launch year. Not only did it bring in significant revenue, but it also earned media coverage and turned into a “must-have” for both returning and potential guests.
Snack retailing is a delicious way to extend the guest experience and can be easily tied into gift cards or vouchers.
Corporate gifting
Hotels aren’t just for vacations…they’re powerful tools for businesses too. Corporate clients are increasingly looking for meaningful ways to reward employees and partners. Offering personalized hotel gift cards with options like delivery, messaging, and retail tie-ins creates value for both sides. This approach brings in a new customer base while incentivizing additional spending.
Activities for two
From Thai-inspired spa rituals to meditation retreats, hotels are curating couple’s packages that emphasize wellness and connection. These offerings aren’t just romantic; they’re restorative. By bundling them with vouchers or retail perks, hotels provide couples with the perfect opportunity to splurge together.
Unlock new revenue streams with creative gift cards, vouchers, and retailing solutions
In 2025, hotels are redefining what it means to “check in.” From silk pajamas to spy cocktails, from pie-making classes to mooncakes, the possibilities are endless. The secret lies in pairing creativity with the right gift card solution, ensuring that vouchers, keepsakes, and experiences all work together to grow hotel revenue streams.
Want to unlock your hotel’s full retailing potential? Let’s talk about how you can elevate guest experiences and boost revenue.
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