Hotel names: Ideas and how a name impacts guest perception

What are good hotel names?

Hotel names are a branding tool used by hoteliers to attract guests and establish a unique identity.

Good hotel names are descriptive, enticing and memorable. They catch the eye, stick in the mind, hint at what a potential guest can expect from their stay, and ideally elicit some sort of emotional or psychological response. The best hotel names can even shape and inform the guest’s perception of and experience with your hotel.

In this guide we’ll take a closer look at the power of a good hotel name, and help you to come up with a moniker that maximises bookings and revenue.

Why hotel names matter: The psychology behind first impressions

Your hotel name is more than just simple words. It describes your hotel type, sets the tone for the guest experience, defines your brand identity and even influences bookings.

A well-chosen name evokes emotion, paints a picture of what guests can expect, and creates an instant connection. The right name can shape perceptions before a guest even steps through the door, by suggesting luxury, tranquillity, adventure or fun.

A unique and memorable name also helps with word-of-mouth marketing, because it will keep your hotel top of mind when happy guests are asked for hotel recommendations from friends and family.

The psychology of creative hotel names: How words influence guest perception

Words are more than a jumble of letters – they have the power to shape perceptions, evoke emotions and influence a guest’s decision-making process. A name that hints at exclusivity, relaxation or excitement sets the expectation for the guest experience.

Emotional impact of hotel names (how guests perceive words)

Different types of hotel names will elicit different emotional and psychological responses from guests. For example:

• Serenity Bay: Beauty, tranquillity and relaxation.
• The Grand Royale: Elegance, opulence and sophistication.
• The Wander Inn: Charm, playfulness and approachability.
• Edinburgh Manor: History, authenticity and pre-eminence.
• Base Camp: Adventure, fun and community.

By carefully selecting words that align with the hotel’s atmosphere and resonate with your target audience, you can create an emotional connection with guests before they even book their stay.

Luxury hotel name ideas

Choose words that are synonymous with luxury, like Royal, Grand, Prestige and Palace, particularly if your building or hotel business is historic.

Example: The Grand Palace Hotel.

Fancy hotel names

Words like Velvet, Pearl and Diamond have an elegance and indulgence about them, and apply as well to new hotels as they do to old.

Example: Velvet Orchid Resort.

Relaxing & wellness-focused hotel names

If your hotel has a focus on rest and relaxation, consider terms like Haven, Retreat and Sanctuary, which hint at serenity and tranquillity.

Example: Ocean Haven Resort

Adventure & boutique hotel name ideas

Travellers looking for adventure and adrenaline will vibe with words like Nomad, Roam and Escape. These attract modern travelers and are also ideal for boutique lodgings.

Example: Nomad Nest Boutique Hotel

Budget-friendly hotel name ideas

Words like Smart, Stay and Cosy can make your hotel feel affordable yet comfortable, helping to attract budget-conscious travellers.

Example: Cosy Stay Inn

Case study: How famous hotel names built their brand image

The names of popular hotels can serve as inspiration for your own. Let’s break down a few of the biggest hotel chain names to see where they come from and what they have come to represent.

The Ritz-Carlton

This brand was born in the early 1900s, when hotelier Albert Keller purchased the US rights to the names of two famous, luxurious European hotels: The Ritz (Paris and London) and the Carlton (London). The idea was to evoke the feeling of staying in European luxury, and it worked, with the new brand now far more famous than the hotels that inspired it.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

The Hilton hotel name comes from its founder, Conrad Hilton. His first hotel was called The Mobley, but as he expanded his business into one of the first international hotel chains, he began using his own name, which led to the establishment of Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

Marriott

Another family name that has turned into one of the world’s most established and influential hospitality brands, J. Willard Marriott actually got his start in 1927 selling root beer, but found his niche 30 years later when he opened the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel, marking the beginning of one of the world’s largest and most recognisable hotel chains.

The Standard Hotels

An entirely different approach was taken by André Balazs when he opened the first Standard Hotel in 1999. Intentionally ironic, the name plays on the idea of being the “standard” in hospitality, while actually being anything but ordinary. In a way it serves to lower guest expectations, which the hotels then exceed through bold design and a youthful, vibrant atmosphere.

How do I choose a hotel name? A step-by-step guide

Ready to find the best name for your new hotel? The following process can help.

Step 1: Define your brand personality

What experience do you want guests to associate with your hotel? Consider whether you lean more towards luxury, adventure, budget, wellness or whatever else.

Step 2: Use word association & meaningful words

Combine words that describe the guest experience that you offer, plus your location, plus a unique angle, e.g. Azure Coast Retreat (luxury + beachfront + relaxing).

Step 3: Keep it simple & easy to remember

Avoid words that are long, complex or difficult to spell, pronounce or remember. Keep potential website URLs and social media handles in mind.

Step 4: Check for uniqueness & trademark issues

Once you’ve got a few options, checklists of hotel names using Google, domain name searches and trademark databases to ensure your choices are unique and available. 

Step 5: Test your name with your target audience

Before fully committing to your new name, consider getting feedback from potential guests about your chosen option by surveying a relevant audience, to ensure it resonates with the right people.

Ease of use and good booking engine integration was paramount for us. Revenue has increased, up to 20% since using Little Hotelier.

Craig Fisher,

Company Manager

Sun Worship Eco Villas

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Unique hotel names list: Inspiration for every hotel type

How can your hotel name be unique? With hundreds of thousands of hotels around the world, truly unique hotel name ideas can be hard to come by. But they’re not impossible to find.

From 5-star hotel name ideas to more salt-of-the-earth options, the unique hotel names list below can serve as inspiration for the title of your hotel.

Luxury hotel names ideas

• The Sapphire Grand
• Chateau Elegance
• The Regal Crest

Creative hotel names

• Hideaway Urbane
• Dreamscape Boutique
• Haven & Co.

Best hotel names for beach resorts

• Sunset Cove Retreat
• Azure Horizon Resort
• Ocean Breeze Villas

Good hotel names for budget stays

• CozyStay Lodge
• The Smart Haven
• Easy Rest Inn

Smart hoteliers know that a good hotel name can generate awareness, bookings and loyalty. But choosing the right moniker is just the first step on your journey to success. 

The right tool can help get you the rest of the way. A tool like Little Hotelier.